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October 30, 2016

Dead Goat Carcass Throwing at the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

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Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kok-Boru at the 2016 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.

A sports event I had never heard of, in a country most people don’t even know exists. I was at the 2016 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan to photograph fascinatingly exotic sports. One of them involved men on horseback throwing around a dead goat carcass.

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Kok-Boru, or Buzkashzi as the game is known for in Afghanistan, can only be found in Central Asia. The game is played in three rounds of 20 minutes each, four against four. The aim is to throw a dead goat carcass in a tai kazan, a circular goal located on opposite sides 140 meters apart.

While Kok-Boru is often referred to as goat carcass polo, it’s rather a game of rugby on special horses. Riders even have to wear special boots to protect their shins from the horses pounding into each other (sometimes at full speed!). They also ride on special saddles, which allows them to lean off the animal’s side to pick up the 30+kg goat carcass from the ground. The goat is slaughtered minutes before the game and served to the winner afterwards.

Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Fighting over possession of the goat carcass, players often lean sideways on their horses.

Kazakhstan vs. Kyrgyzstan – The Final

During the World Nomad Games 8 teams played a total of 14 games. At stake was €43.000 of prize money for the ultimate winner. I was fortunate to watch the final take place between rivals Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

READ MORE: Three Weeks of Backpacking in Central Asia: Route, Accommodation and Expenses

Since I had press accreditation I was allowed to stand right by the action on the side of the field! Being that close was for sure one of the highlights of my travelling career!

Read the captions to learn how the game progressed:

Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Players entering the arena before the start of the game. They are brutal professionals who don’t have any other job.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan off to a good start, racing towards the tai kazan at full speed not allowing Kyrgyzstan to get near.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
The first attempt by the blue team to score a goal at full speed, making it much harder to aim.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan missed the tai kazan, which is about 3.6 meters in diameter.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
After a slow start, Kyrgyzstan quickly took the lead for the rest of the game.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan fiercely defending its possession over the goat.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kok-Boru rules state that the goat carcass must be between 32-35kg.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Despite the weight, high speeds often make the carcass go flying.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kok-Boru is not without danger. Medics race for the rescue.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
An injured Kazakh player is carried away.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Also as a spectator Kok-Boru is not without risk!
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Three Kazakhs trying to score a goal at the opponent’s tai kazan. Kyrgyzstan fiercely defending.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan firmly in the lead, Kazakhstan having difficulties keeping up.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz team dominated the entire game to ultimately win 15:3. The prize? 43.000 euros.
The Kyrgyz national anthem was played during the rewarding ceremony.
The Kyrgyz national anthem was played during the rewarding ceremony.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz team paying respect to the crowd.
Kok-Boru Kyrgyzstan
Ten thousand cheerful spectators gathered at the hippodrome to watch the Kyrgyz team win the tournament.

The World Nomad Games

The 2016 World Nomad Games (WNG) took place in Cholpon-Ata on the north shore of Issyk-Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan. Between 3-8 September it brought together 1200 athletes and trainers from 62 countries. Located over three locations 16 different sport games took place such as Gyulesh, Alysh and Er Enish, indicating that there is much more to it than just Kok-Boru. With so many exotic sports the event is often called the Nomad Olympics.

But even that name doesn’t do justice to the World Nomad Games. Besides sports there is also a strong element of culture, art and music to the WNG. The best way I can describe it, is that it resembles a remarkable mix of the Olympic Games, Eurovision Song Festival and Burning Man. Up next more about that!

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Bart WNG2016
At the Kyrchin Gorge, another location where the World Nomad Games took place.
Exclusive: Since my return I worked together with Vice Sports NL, who published another of my articles about the World Nomad Games here.
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Previous ArticleThree Weeks of Backpacking in Central Asia: Route, Accommodation and Expenses
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