Using Eagles to Hunt in Kyrgyzstan
In Using Eagles to Hunt in Kyrgyzstan, host Joanna Lumley visits Bokonbaevo, Kyrgyzstan, where hunting with eagles has taken place for generations. Eagles help people hunt wild animals for meat and fur. Over time, meat from animals caught by eagles has helped to keep many people alive. In a mountainous region, a hunter explains and demonstrates the hunting skills an eagle possesses. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
Lesson Express
Q: What characteristics make eagles good hunters?
A: Eagles are calm when traveling but become agitated near their prey, preparing them for the hunt. They also have sharp eyesight and strong talons.
Q: Why do hunters use hoods on eagles before a hunt?
A: The hood helps keep the eagle calm by blocking its vision. Removing the hood allows the eagle to focus and use its eyesight to locate prey.
Q: How were animals important in Silk Road trade?
A: Animal skins, fur, and other parts of animals like meat were commonly traded. Animals like foxes, mink, and sable were especially valued for their pelts.
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In The Stone Wonder of Tash Rabat, host Joanna Lumley visits Tash Rabat, a stone structure, located in a mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan that served as a stopping point or inn (caravanserai) for traders traveling through the region during the 15th Century. Its origins, however, may go back long before the 15th Century. Follow Joanna Lumley through some of the structure’s 31 rooms as she marvels at the many passageways, domes, and skylights. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Stone Wonder of Tash Rabat, host Joanna Lumley visits Tash Rabat, a stone structure, located in a mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan that served as a stopping point or inn (caravanserai) for traders traveling through the region during the 15th Century. Its origins, however, may go back long before the 15th Century. Follow Joanna Lumley through some of the structure’s 31 rooms as she marvels at the many passageways, domes, and skylights. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.