In Ying Tun, a tiny rural village in China's Jilin province, falcon training and hunting is still practiced by most of the local men.
China's 'Falcon Village' —
In Ying Tun, a tiny rural village in China's Jilin province, falcon training and hunting is still practiced by most of the local men.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
Once a form of entertainment for royals, raising falcons is considered by China's Manchu people to be a show of bravery and man's conquest over nature.
Ancient tradition —
Once a form of entertainment for royals, raising falcons is considered by China's Manchu people to be a show of bravery and man's conquest over nature.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
A falcon master waits in hiding for a falcon to appear. Once it's captured, the grueling training process begins.
Capturing a falcon —
A falcon master waits in hiding for a falcon to appear. Once it's captured, the grueling training process begins.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
After capturing wild falcons from the forest, Jilin masters must spend several days in isolation taming them.
How to train a falcon —
After capturing wild falcons from the forest, Jilin masters must spend several days in isolation taming them.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
Surviving on minimal sleep, a master will spend the bulk of several days staring into his new falcon's eyes. Eventually, the falcon will tire and grow docile.
Test of will ... for both sides —
Surviving on minimal sleep, a master will spend the bulk of several days staring into his new falcon's eyes. Eventually, the falcon will tire and grow docile.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
Next, the bird will be taught to circle the skies, understand its new master's orders and bring back prey.
Sky kings —
Next, the bird will be taught to circle the skies, understand its new master's orders and bring back prey.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
Trained falcons can hunt 10 to 20 pheasants per day, which are sold for up to RMB 150 ($24) each at a local market.
Extra income —
Trained falcons can hunt 10 to 20 pheasants per day, which are sold for up to RMB 150 ($24) each at a local market.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
Hunting season lasts primarily during winter months, when masters aren't busy tending to farms.
Cold comfort —
Hunting season lasts primarily during winter months, when masters aren't busy tending to farms.
courtesy Chuanxin Jia, Naihua Zhu, Chengzhi Yang
In the hunting off-season, masters enjoy the company of their falcons, regarding them as regular pets.
"Hey buddy ..." —
In the hunting off-season, masters enjoy the company of their falcons, regarding them as regular pets.
courtesy Silu Jia