![A mother and child ride reindeer on the Mongolian steppe A mother and child ride reindeer on the Mongolian steppe](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839cdb1d3.webp)
The nomadic tribespeople of the west Eurasian steppe learn to live alongside nature from an early age – taming reindeer and hawks
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![A Mongolian child with a golden eagle A Mongolian child with a golden eagle](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839c46c16.webp)
Hunting with eagles is a huge part of tribal culture
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![A mongolian child sleeping while leaning against a reindeer A mongolian child sleeping while leaning against a reindeer](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839d31d6c.webp)
In the rugged, unforgiving terrain of the steppe, animals have never been so vital to survival (or so cute)
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![A tribesman catches a falcon while riding a horse in western Mongolia A tribesman catches a falcon while riding a horse in western Mongolia](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839eb9425.webp)
Why isn't horseback falconry an Olympic sport yet?
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![Boy shouting while taking reindeer out Kosgholgonduk Pass, Mongolia Boy shouting while taking reindeer out Kosgholgonduk Pass, Mongolia](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839d706c5.webp)
Kosgholgonduk Pass is so remote, you can't even Google it (go on, we dare you)
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![A dancing tribesman on the Mongolian steppe A dancing tribesman on the Mongolian steppe](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2848a9ba80.webp)
Shamans travel the steppe providing dance, vibrant colour and spiritual healing
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![Shaman matriarch in West Taiga, Mongolia Shaman matriarch in West Taiga, Mongolia](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839f1701b.webp)
Mongolian tribespeople attempt to harness the natural resources of the steppe and live in harmony with it
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839daf880.webp)
That said, they're not averse to razzing it through the snow on a motorbike, either
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![A nomad with tamed wolves in Olgii province, Mongolia A nomad with tamed wolves in Olgii province, Mongolia](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2868cdd932.webp)
Yes, those are wolves. No, this tribesman is not phased
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
![](https://cdn.escapismmagazine.com/gallery_landscape_widescreen_small/57e2839b3ea9a.webp)
Saker falcons like this little guy patrol the western reaches of the Mongolia steppe
Hamid Sardar / hamidsardarphoto.com
Sixteen years ago, Iranian photographer Hamid Sardar set out to live with the tribespeople of the Eurasian steppe, Mongolia, and these shots are some of the amazing images he captured in his eight years out on the land.
Presented in a new book, Dark Heavens – Shamans & Hunters of Mongolia, these visceral photographs show the mighty nation's horseback hunters and dancing shamans candidly yet dramatically – demonstrating just how different the world can be.
Dark Heavens – Shamans & Hunters of Mongolia, published by teNeues, is available to buy now for £65, and is also available as a collector's edition.
Visit teneues.com or hamidsardarphoto.com to find out more