August 2018 99 www.bahrainthismonth.com asked me many questions and wanted to know more about me. Before returning to Bishkek, my last destination was Bokonbayevo which is well known for hunting with eagles and crafts such as making shyrdaks (rugs) and other felt products. Talgar the ‘Eagle Man’ explained that hunting with the golden eagle is an ancient tradition that dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The capture, training and keeping of eagles is a highly ritualised activity, and the Kyrgyz are experts. Training eagles takes a lot of time — three to four years. It must be done by just one person and requires constant daily attention. Most of the birds, which can have a life expectancy of 40 years, are caught young, hooded and placed in a cage. The eagles are trained to be able to distinguish human voices and obey only that of their master. When the eagle is almost adult, the trainer shows it the hides and furs of the animals it is to hunt. Training continues until the birds become expert in killing their prey. Later in the afternoon, I visited the Altyn Oimok NGO (Golden Thimble). This Kyrgyz crafts workshop produces shyrdaks and other traditional felt handicrafts. It employs more than 30 rural women and seeks to educate the next generation in traditional production. It was exciting to learn about the entire feltmaking process from pulling the wool to dyeing it, then crafting the designs. These products are as rich in colour as they are in design and overall beauty, and each rug or textile reflects a living history of the country, the family and its creator. The Kyrgyz use felt handicrafts to adorn themselves and their homes with the spirit and history of their land. I left the workshop with a beautiful, handmade Kyrgyz felt souvenir. Overall, I found the Kyrgyz people to be very polite and generous; their golden smiles radiated warmth and kindness. From their impeccable hospitality to their delicious cuisine and rich culture, my trip was truly an unforgettable experience and, most importantly, widened my perspective and restored my faith in the kindness of other people. Scan the code to see more pictures.
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