Kazakh Children in Western Mongolia

This is series of images of Kazakh children in Western Mongolia. The Kazakhs, is a nomadic people who after being chased out of Kazakhstan by the Russian Empire in the 19th century, has settled in Mongolia and maintained a strong connection with the tradition they had practiced for generations. The Kazakhs migrate with their flocks to look for pasturage as the seasons change. These images were taken in various summer “locations” all very isolated and remote areas, where the family set up a “ger”, a collapsible, circular oversized tent supported by wooden sticks. There is an incredible amount of work associated with this lifestyle. Kazakh families are typically large and children happily take part in the chores starting at a very young age. From sunrise to sunset, there is something to do and everyone gets involved. Attending the animals, chopping wood, making cheese are a few of the tasks that need to be done every day. And one could swear that the children learn to ride a horse before they learn to walk, so strong is the bond with this animal for the Kazakhs.