5 countries where animals play central roles in cultural traditions

Around the globe, animals are more than a part of the landscape; they are also a part of rituals, sports, and cultural traditions. Animals such as royal birds, trained for hunting, and bulls, revered and feared, are a part of traditions that show how much human society has relied on animals for survival and celebration. Although many of these traditions have changed over time, they are still an important part of local culture.
Below are five countries where animals are an important part of some of the most unique cultural traditions around the world.

In the United Arab Emirates, falcons are more than just birds of prey; they are symbols of culture. Falconry in the Arabian Peninsula has a history that spans thousands of years, having been a means of survival for Bedouin tribes who used trained falcons to hunt in the desert. Falconry has become a symbol of nobility, discipline, and honor. Falconry in the UAE is a well-regulated and respected activity. Falcons are trained in the traditional manner, kept in specially designed enclosures, and even have passports for international travel. The tradition is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In the remote Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, Kazakh eagle hunters practise one of the world’s most visually striking animal traditions. Using trained golden eagles, hunters pursue foxes and other small animals during the harsh winter months. This tradition has been passed down through generations and requires immense skill, patience and trust between hunter and bird.

Few animal-related traditions are as globally recognised as Spain’s Running of the Bulls, most famously held during the San Fermín festival in Pamplona. Each year, bulls are released into narrow streets, chased by participants as they run toward the bullring. It is a very controlled event that attracts tourists from all over the world. Although animal welfare issues have been at the forefront of controversy and change, the event is still very much a part of Spanish festival tradition.

The relationship between India and animals is one of spirituality and cultural tradition. In Manipur, the home of modern polo, the game is played using Manipuri ponies, a small but hardy indigenous breed of horse. Polo in this form is a part of Manipuri history, which is associated with kings, battles, and rituals.
In southern India, especially Tamil Nadu, bull-based events like Jallikattu demonstrate another aspect of human-animal relationships. Bulls are bred with care, pride, and ritual significance, often as part of the family.

In Japan, animals often occupy a sacred space rather than a competitive one. Nowhere is this more visible than in Nara, where deer roam freely through temples, parks and city streets. These deer are believed to be messengers of the gods in Shinto mythology and have been protected for centuries. Feeding rituals, annual festivals, and strict conservation measures are taken to ensure that these deer are a living part of the culture. The image of deer bowing for food has become an iconic representation of how tradition and modernity coexist in Japan.