Turanian Berkutchys (''Eagle Men/Women'')

[Terri Benning]

Turanian Berkutchys (''Eagle Men/Women'')

Throughout Siberia (Northern Asia) and Central Asia the Eagle is looked at as a totemic ancestor...It is also believed that the first Shaman received his sacred knowledge from the Eagle.This is why Eagles are sacred for the Berkutchys (Eagle Man) Or Kushbegi (Lord of the Birds)  These Berkutchys are unfortunately known as "Eagle Hunters" in the western world, but this is not just just hunting, Berkutchy is a life's profession, it is a passion actually..."We train them because of a beauty of flight not because we want them to hunt for us."

This tradition is believed to have originated 6000 years ago, and was later adopted by other countries. 13th century records indicate that both Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan owned thousands of hunting birds. An eagle-'master' is called a Berkutchy. It is a life-long profession, and in Kazakhstan is often a hereditary one. The art of wild bird training was developed over millenia, the secrets imparted from father to son. The relationship of the bird and its caretaker is constant and all-consuming. In the training of a young eagle, the Berkutchy must sacrifice his sleep for a long period. For weeks, the growing bird is rendered sightless under its hood until its dependence on its "master" becomes complete. Such intimacy must turn into a lifelong trust with the eagle - twenty years or more. It is said that as the man trains the eagle, so does the eagle train his man. The Berkutchys set the Eagles free, when they are 7 or 8 so the Eagles can breed again. This way, the Berkutchys always make sure that the Eagles do not become extinct.  There is a proverb in Kazakhstan: "There are three things a real man should have: a fast horse, a hound, and a golden eagle...''

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