The Incredible Sport of Eagle Hunting at the World Nomad Games

The World Nomad Games is like nothing else—a celebration of Central Asia’s ancient sports and cultural heritage. Earlier in September, I traveled to Astana, Kazakhstan, to experience it. I’m Ricky Qi, a filmmaker, photographer, and National Geographic Explorer. In this video, I journey into the incredible world of eagle hunting, a gold-medal event at the World Nomad Games. You’ll see how golden eagles from the steppe are trained to hunt prey such as foxes and wolves, and also learn about the unexpected bond between hunter and bird. We’ll also dive into the history of the steppe and explore how traditions like this evolved from the past to the present. #goldeneaglehunting #centralasianculture CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Exploring the World Nomad Games: Ancient Sports Reimagined 1:09 - The Birthplace of Nomadism: Kazakhstan’s Ancient Steppe 2:46 - Inside the Ethno-Aul: A Nomadic Village Experience 4:54 - Horseback Wrestling: The Ultimate Test of Balance and Strength 5:41 - Eagle Hunting at the World Nomad Games 6:38 - The Eagle Hunter Carrying Tradition Forward 7:26 - What Do Golden Eagles Hunt? 8:10 - The Unexpected Bond Between Hunter and Eagle LINKS: 🦅📬Don’t miss out on updates. Sign-up for my email list here: https://mailchi.mp/4da61c3da3d4/signu... Enter to get a full-size image of my video thumbnail, as well as a chance to win a signed print from my print shop! 📸 Explore my prints and the stories behind them here: https://www.rickyqiprints.com WHO AM I? I’m Ricky Qi, a filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer. For over a decade, I’ve documented the stories of cultures adapting to a rapidly changing world. Now, I’m sharing these journeys with you—bringing the past and present together through the lens of tradition and heritage. FIND ME: Website: https://www.rickyqi.com Print Shop: https://www.rickyqiprints.com NatGeo Explorer Bio: https://explorers.nationalgeographic.... Instagram:   / supplythelight   Tiktok:   / ricky_qi   Facebook:   / supplythelight