Aisholpan Nurgaiv | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • About
  • Past Ceremonies
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Past Awardees
  • Video Highlights
Search
Asia Game Changer Awards
  • About
  • Past Ceremonies
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Past Awardees
  • Video Highlights

  • 2022
    • Awardees
    • Recap
    • Program
  • 2021
    • Awardees
    • Recap
    • Video
    • Program
  • 2020
    • Awardees
    • Recap
    • Video
    • Program
  • 2019
    • Awardees
    • Recap & Photos
    • Video
  • 2018
    • Awardees
    • Recap & Photos
    • Video
    • Awards Dinner
  • 2017
    • Awardees
    • Recap & Photos
    • Video
    • Awards Dinner
  • 2016
    • Awardees
    • Awards Dinner
    • Photos & Video
  • 2015
    • Awardees
    • Awards Dinner
    • Photos & Video
  • 2014
    • Awardees
    • Awards Dinner
    • Photos & Video

Aisholpan Nurgaiv

For breaking gender barriers at a remarkably young age

Aisholpan Nurgaiv - The Eagle Huntress

AISHOLPAN NURGAIV

'The Eagle Huntress'

Mongolia

Bundled up to combat the frigid climate, a 13-year-old girl stands on a rock with her arm extended. Western Mongolia’s dramatic mountain vistas stretch out behind her. Smiling, she watches as a 15-pound eagle soars off her arm.

This image of Aisholpan Nurgaiv, captured by Israeli photographer Asher Svidensky, was part of a photo series that went viral in 2014 and caught the eye of English filmmaker Otto Bell. Soon, he contacted Svidensky and the two men jumped on a plane to Mongolia to find her.

What resulted was the documentary The Eagle Huntress, and the first steps on a remarkable journey for a young girl. The film chronicles Nurgaiv’s quest to enter the challenging, male-dominated field of eagle hunting, a Mongolian pastime in which skilled trainers teach golden eagles to hunt for wild animals. The documentary follows Nurgaiv to the highly competitive Golden Eagle Festival in Ölgii, where she became both the youngest contestant and the first female ever to take part.

“From an early age, I was always interested in being an eagle huntress,” Nurgaiv said. “I don’t see any differences between me and the other boys.”

Nurgaiv also had the support of family — particularly her father, Rys, who backed her when other men in her community were critical of her pursuit. It also helped that Nurgaiv never doubted herself: “At first I was a little bit excited and worried, but I wasn’t afraid,” she said.

Now, Nurgaiv says she is happy that her story has inspired girls and women around the world. Closer to home, Nurgaiv’s example is already having an effect: A growing number of girls in her Mongolian community have sought to train as eagle hunters.

For her part, Nurgaiv hopes that young girls — wherever they live — can persevere in the face of doubt, criticism, and entrenched gender norms. “They must keep trying," she said, "and be brave."

Details

1 November 2017
6:00pm - 9:30pm

Asia Game Changer Awards and Dinner

Cipriani
25 Broadway
Lower Manhattan
New York, New York

Click for Directions

Add to Google Calendar

  • 2022
    • Awardees
    • Recap
    • Program
  • 2021
    • Awardees
    • Recap
    • Video
    • Program
  • 2020
    • Awardees
    • Recap
    • Video
    • Program
  • 2019
    • Awardees
    • Recap & Photos
    • Video
  • 2018
    • Awardees
    • Recap & Photos
    • Video
    • Awards Dinner
  • 2017
    • Awardees
    • Recap & Photos
    • Video
    • Awards Dinner
  • 2016
    • Awardees
    • Awards Dinner
    • Photos & Video
  • 2015
    • Awardees
    • Awards Dinner
    • Photos & Video
  • 2014
    • Awardees
    • Awards Dinner
    • Photos & Video
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC