The Kazakh Steppe also called the Great Dala. The Syr Darya, one of the two rivers that feeds into what is left from the Aral Sea.
One of the last remaining boats that became symbolic for one of the greatest ecological disasters of the 20th century. The drying up of the Aral Sea. A grim reminder of how quickly a succesfull fishing industry all but disappeared. Leaving behind people struggling to feed themselves in a landscape that had turned suddenly hostile.
Reedland close to the shore of the frozen Aral Sea. The water of the Aral Sea would reach all the way up to the top of the cliff.
Reedland close to the shore of the frozen Aral Sea. The water of the Aral Sea would in the past reach all the way up to the top of the cliff.
Abandoned fishing boats at the shore of the Aral Sea waiting for spring to arrive.
Six feet under. The underground shed close to the shore of the Aral lake where the fishermen will live for as long as the ice lasts. The place is smaller then an average kitchen. And yet here is where they cook, eat, drink, sleep, laugh and play cards.
Another one of the underground sheds close to the coast of the Aral Sea.
A simple stove heats up the underground shed.
The shed of the Arlask fishermen. The entrance is in the left upper corner. In the background another shed.
Nurgisa (1980) checking on the weather in early morning.
The toilet of the fishermen.
Heading off into the great white open. On their way to their fishing nets on the frozen Aral lake.
Aibolat fixing his Russian built WAZ in the middle of the frozen Aral lake. Without any connection to the outside world these kind of situations don't come without risks.
Aibolat Seitbenbetov (1990) checking on his Russian built WAZ jeep in the middle of the frozen Aral lake. You can see the steam coming from the overheated engine. As there is no connection to the outside world and with temperatures of up to -30 at night these kind of situations are not without risk.
After one hour of rough driving with the Russian built WAZ on the frozen lake we finally arrive at the fishing spot. These jeeps will get you anywhere. No matter what you throw at them.
Arriving at the fishing spot where they have layed out their nets under the ice.
Aibolat walking to the first whole that he needs to clear before he can haul in the net.
Aibolat picking through the whole and the fresh ice to get to their fishing nets.
Clearing the whole in the ice before hauling in the net.
The hauling in of the fish.
Aibolat showing off his fresh catch.
Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960) clearing one of the fishing holes that got covered up with fresh snow. In the background one of the cliffs that surround parts of the Aral lake and make for a natural barrier.
Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960) clearing one of the fishing holes that got covered up with fresh snow.
Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960) picking through the ice.
Kogambai Omarov (1960) clearing the fishing hole.
Nurgisa (1980) pulling one of the fishing nets after the hole was cleared by Ensepbai. In the background Enepbai starting to clear the second hole.
Musabek Mahshatov (1962) sorting the freshly caught fish together with Kogambai Omarov (1960).
Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960) pulling the fishing net back in its place.
Aibolat Seitbenbetov (1990) from the village of Tastubek at the frozen Aral Sea.
Musabek Mahshatov (1962)
Alash Irzagaziyev (1950) pulling the fishing fishing net back in its place. He decides when they will go fishing as he is the boss. Also because he is the one with the most experience. Crucial if you want to read the ice.
Musabek Mahshatov (1962) sorting the freshly caught fish together with Kogambai Omarov (1960).
Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960) pulling the fishing net back in its place.
Nurgisa (1980) together with fellow fisherman Musabek Mahshatov (1962) pulling the fish from their nets.
When it's -25 outside and 25 inside you need something quick and easy to get in and out.
Ice is being melted to make for tea.
Musabek Mahshatov (1962) or in short Maka is the cook. He is the one behind the delicious pasta meal he cooked in their shed. All under very primitive circumstances. He is also married with two women and has eight children. Maybe this has something to do with his cooking skills.
Kogambai Omarov (1960) relaxing with fellow fishermen after a hard days of work.
Nurgisa (1980) relaxing after a morning of hard work.
All meals are cooked on this little and simple stove. In the left corner one of the buckets with fresh water.
A delicious and rich pasta meal after some hard labour. The plate of food is surrounded by sweets out of respect for me as a guest.
Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960)
Nurgisa (1980), Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960), Kogambai Omarov (1960), Musabek Mahshatov (1962), Alash Irzagaziyev (1950)
Six feet under. The underground shed close to the shore of the Aral lake where the fishermen will live for as long as the ice lasts. The place is smaller then an average kitchen. And yet here is where they cook, eat, drink, sleep, laugh and play cards. From left to right. Nurgisa (1980), Alash Irzagaziyev (1950), Kogambai Omarov (1960), Ensepbai Balbeketov (1960), Musabek Mahshatov (1962)
Alash Irzagaziyev (1950). He decides when and how as he is the boss. But he is also the one with the most experience. Crucial if you want to read the ice.
To kill time some of the fishermen will go hunting in one of the nearby hunting lodges. From ducks to jackals and foxes. Shot mainly for the value of their skin.
The hunting lodge. In the background one of the sheds.
Kazahk fishermen outside their shed.