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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00001328 Country Kazakhstan ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Traditional craft skills Address Falconry is practised along traditional bird migration routes in a number of regions Kazakhstan – Zhetysu, Akmola, Karaganda and Pavlodar provinces. There are also some regions in Southern Kazakhstan. It depends on open terrain so that the falconer can follow the bird. Thus, habitat dictates the practicality of falconry and shapes its particular local variation of traditional styles.
| Description | Falconry or traditional hunting with birds of prey has been long popularized among people who lived in vast steppe and mountainous areas - the habitat of the birds of prey. Kazakh people tamed different species of falcons, eagles and other birds of prey like Burkyts (golden eagles) and various falco representatives. Every species has been accustomed to certain region and climatic environment - northern regions, mountains of Zhungar and Zaili Alatau, bold mountains or mountains with forested and rocky slopes, plains and steppes with scarce vegetation, desserts and etc. Falconry is the traditional art and practice of training and flying falcons to take quarry in its natural state, and has been practised for more than 4000 years. It is one of the oldest relationships between human and bird. It probably evolved in the steppes of Asia, and spread via cultural and trade links to other countries, first to Europe, North Africa and East Asia and later in the 16th century to the rest of the world. The practice of falconry in early and medieval periods of history is documented in many parts of the world. Falconry as intangible cultural heritage is integrated into communities as a social recreational practice and a means of connecting with nature. It is perceived by the communities as cultural heritage, a social tradition of respect for nature and the environment. Originally a way of obtaining food, falconry has acquired other values over the centuries, and is identified with camaraderie, sharing, and expressions of freedom. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Falconry is an ancient social practice and cultural heritage of Kazakh people involving traditional hunters Kusbegi/Burkytshi, tamed and trained birds of prey, horse and Kazakh hound "Tazy". The birds are tamed two ways - by domesticating adult species caught on bait or bringing up younglings that just fledged from the nest. Average period of hunting lasts 5-6 years then bird is released back to the wilderness. Such practice contributes to the preservation of their population. There are cases recorded when birds lived and hunted with 2-3 generations of one family. Kazakh people believe, best hunters come from adult birds that hunt with particular fervour once accustomed to the host. Birds of prey were always highly valued in Kazakhstan. Falconry is a dynamic tradition, and many of the social functions and cultural context of today’s community of falconers are developed in response to their contemporary environments. They include annual gatherings of national and international experts and novices to witness the practice of falconry in the field. For example, in Ireland members of the falconry community, through the national club, falconry centres or as individuals, volunteer to appear at schools, festivals and events to promote education, conservation and rehabilitation work. Ongoing social engagement among the community and with the public is a strong element of the social tapestry for the falconry community. |
| Transmission method | Transmission is vital to all falconry communities and it includes many activities related to falconry practice, knowledge of the environment, the proper management of the falcons and cultural values. Falconry as a cultural tradition is transmitted between generations by a variety of means, such as mentoring, learning within families, or formalized training in clubs and schools. In Kazakhstan, falconry is mainly transmitted from officially registered Burkytshi/ Kusbegi to their apprentices, like in other countries which have developed a system of master practitioners, who are responsible for transmitting knowledge about falconry. |
| Community | Dynastic families of falconers (Kusbegi or Burkytshi) and assocoations of a falconry communities. Falconry is practiced by men and women of all ages, from amateurs to experts. Falconers develop a strong relationship and spiritual bond with their birds; commitment is required to breed, train, handle and fly falcons. Falconers come from all walks of life, societies, cultures, linguistic and religious backgrounds. Falconry shapes the lives of practitioners, as individuals, in families, villages, and clubs, and practitioners are the essential leaders for conservation of birds of prey. Falconers are considered to be responsible for protecting falconry heritage by their own practice, and many are also involved in transmission through mentoring or more formal teaching. Falconers regard themselves as a group, thus reinforcing the cultural values of sharing, interdependence and mutual support. Falconry has its own set of culturally-shaped traditions and ethics. Communities involved in hunting with birds of prey are villages and kinship groups, tribes, families and individuals, as well as organized falconry clubs, falconry heritage trusts and institutions. In addition, there are supporting agencies and associations such as falcon hospitals, breeding centres, conservation agencies, traditional falconry equipment makers, artists, poets, and professional falconers. The main falconry associations and centers are: 'Burkytshі' and 'Kyran" Federations, 'Zhalayir Shora' Centre for Falconry, 'Sunkar' Falcon Nursery Centre. |
| Type of UNESCO List | Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List | 2016 |
Keyword
Information source
Kazakhstan National Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage
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Photos
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PI00002448
Falconry, traditional hunting with birds of prey
Falconry or traditional hunting with birds of prey has been long popularized among people who lived in vast steppe and mountainous areas - the habitat of the birds of prey. Kazakh people tamed different species of falcons, eagles and other birds of prey like Burkyts (golden eagles) and various falco representatives. Every species has been accustomed to certain region and climatic environment - northern regions, mountains of Zhungar and Zaili Alatau, bold mountains or mountains with forested and rocky slopes, plains and steppes with scarce vegetation, desserts and etc.
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Falconry - a living human heritage
Falconry or traditional hunting with birds of prey has been long popularized among people who lived in vast steppe and mountainous areas - the habitat of the birds of prey. Kazakh people tamed different species of falcons, eagles and other birds of prey like Burkyts (golden eagles) and various falco representatives. Every species has been accustomed to certain region and climatic environment - northern regions, mountains of Zhungar and Zaili Alatau, bold mountains or mountains with forested and rocky slopes, plains and steppes with scarce vegetation, desserts and etc. Falconry is the traditional art and practice of training and flying falcons to take quarry in its natural state, and has been practised for more than 4000 years. It is one of the oldest relationships between human and bird. It probably evolved in the steppes of Asia, and spread via cultural and trade links to other countries, first to Europe, North Africa and East Asia and later in the 16th century to the rest of the world. The practice of falconry in early and medieval periods of history is documented in many parts of the world. Falconry as intangible cultural heritage is integrated into communities as a social recreational practice and a means of connecting with nature. It is perceived by the communities as cultural heritage, a social tradition of respect for nature and the environment. Originally a way of obtaining food, falconry has acquired other values over the centuries, and is identified with camaraderie, sharing, and expressions of freedom.
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Falconry - a living human heritage
Falconry or traditional hunting with birds of prey has been long popularized among people who lived in vast steppe and mountainous areas - the habitat of the birds of prey. Kazakh people tamed different species of falcons, eagles and other birds of prey like Burkyts (golden eagles) and various falco representatives. Every species has been accustomed to certain region and climatic environment - northern regions, mountains of Zhungar and Zaili Alatau, bold mountains or mountains with forested and rocky slopes, plains and steppes with scarce vegetation, desserts and etc. Falconry is the traditional art and practice of training and flying falcons to take quarry in its natural state, and has been practised for more than 4000 years. It is one of the oldest relationships between human and bird. It probably evolved in the steppes of Asia, and spread via cultural and trade links to other countries, first to Europe, North Africa and East Asia and later in the 16th century to the rest of the world. The practice of falconry in early and medieval periods of history is documented in many parts of the world. Falconry as intangible cultural heritage is integrated into communities as a social recreational practice and a means of connecting with nature. It is perceived by the communities as cultural heritage, a social tradition of respect for nature and the environment. Originally a way of obtaining food, falconry has acquired other values over the centuries, and is identified with camaraderie, sharing, and expressions of freedom.
Kazakhstan
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EE00002038
Falconry - Traditional hunting with birds of prey
Hunting with eagles (kaz. "burkit", lat. Aguila Shrysaetus - “Golden Eagle”) is an ancient practice of social and cultural heritage of traditional Kazakh people of hunters - kusbegi ("qusbegi"), eagle ("burkitshi") who tamed and trained eagles for hunting. Originally training eagles for hunting was predominantly the hobby of ordinary people and was a kind of craft for them. This type of hunting has supported nomad budget. Therefore, Kazakhstan has always been traditionally a place, above all, catching the birds and training them in order to use for hunting in the future. Birds were tamed in two ways: adults caught on bait, or raise the chicks out of the nest. Kazakhs believe that the best hunters are obtained from adult birds that hunt with a special zeal, once accustomed to the owner. Hunting always passes on horses usually together with the Kazakh national dog - a hound "tazy". Kazakhs divide the hunting with birds of prey to specific hunting with eagles and falcons, hawks, merlin. Golden Eagles are used primarily for the purpose of making a job. They were used for hunting wolves, foxes, karsaks and mountain goats. Merlins used mainly for sports and recreational purposes, as it was a favorite pastime of the nobility. Falcons assisted in hunting for small wildfowl, and hawks let geese, bustards.
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Salburyn - Kazakh Festival of Equestrian Hunting with Falcons and Tazy Greyhound
Salburyn is a festive event and an important component of Kazakh equestrian hunting with falcons and tazy greyhounds. It is a traditional ritual of transmitting hunting knowledge from skilled hunters to beginners and apprentice participants. Salburyn lasts 5-7 days, it is held in the winter hunting season. It is conducted at a large open space where the participants establish a camp of Kazakh yurts and tents as common areas. During the initial 2-3 days the experienced hunters share their knowledge and hunting methodology with young hunters. The hunting commences in the early morning after the elders give their blessing (bata). First part is compiled of pathfinders (yz kesushi) who read the game traces and establish the hunting ways. Participants split into the groups compiled of both more and less experienced hunters. Golden eagle hunters (berkutchi) detect the target and throw the eagle vectoring their flight trajectory with the hand movement. The tazy greyhounds are used in pairs. Some hunters are employing both eagles and tazy together. The triumphal celebration is organized for the hunters returning back, where elder women shower them with sweets. The hunters then bestow the pray to the elders hunters.
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