Eagle dancers spread their traditional wings

Good income

Anayim is pleased she has turned her hobby into her job and she now earns about 6,300 yuan ($930) a month. "For me, it is a decent and stable job," she said, "and it also allows me to stay with my family in my hometown."

Qurban Tohtash, 90, is a State-level inheritor of the eagle dance tradition who receives an annual subsidy of 20,000 yuan from the government.

"My father told me that the eagle dance is the traditional folk dance of our ethnic group, and we'd better learn it conscientiously," he said, adding he started learning the dance at age 15.

Qurban is widely recognized as an outstanding eagle dancer among local Tajiks. He has mastered elegant moves and is also good at playing the eagle bone flute.

Due to his reputation, he is in great demand among villagers as a dance instructor. Two of his students have joined the Tashikurgan troupe.