Kazakhstan – The World Nomad Games

Visited: September 2024

Duration of visit: 4 days

Capital city: Astana

Population: 19 million (2024)

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

• The folk games of the region’s historically nomadic peoples.
• Attending a range of little familiar nomad sports events.
• Interacting with Kazakh minority groups, dressed in traditional costumes.

I visited Kazakhstan twice:

• In 2023 Kazakhstan was the last country after exploring Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
• In 2024, when my primary objective was to attend the Nomad Games in Astana.

In this article I describe my Nomad Games impressions from 2024: The Opening Ceremony, sport competition and cultural activities, the ethnic village, mas wrestling, throwing of sheep knuckle bones, a mix of horse riding and rugby, horseback wrestling, horseback archery and more.

More articles about my adventures in Kazakhstan are available here:

The World Nomad Games are an international competition that celebrate the ethnic sports of Central Asia. This event is rooted in the folk games of the region’s historically nomadic peoples. The first three editions of the World Nomad Games were conducted in Kyrgyzstan, with the fourth taking place in Turkey, and the fifth organized in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September 2024.

After learning about the games during my 1^st trip to Kazakhstan, I was eager to attend as a visitor. The first four games were conducted in a rural context, whereas the fifth game was hosted in Astana, the capital, which elevated the event’s organization to a higher standard.

Around 2,500 competitors from 89 countries engaged in 21 sports, while more than 100 cultural events were hosted in the Ethno Village, specifically established for this occasion.

The World Nomad Games are also listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Purchasing tickets for sports events online ahead of time was remarkably simple. The ticket prices were mostly affordable, aside from the high cost of the Opening Ceremony, which enabled me to participate in all the events during my time in Astana. The main challenge was coordinating my itinerary to navigate the different sports venues across the city.

Although I had conducted a detailed analysis of the events, including their format, essential guidelines, and locations, I was still unclear about the visibility conditions at the venues. While I was positioned close enough to properly witness the action at most locations, at the open Hippodrome and the Opening Ceremony, the visibility was considerably restricted due to the distance.

For me, these games transcend mere athletic competition. They serve as a platform to highlight the cultural heritage, sportsmanship, and traditional games of nomadic nations, thereby enhancing cultural ties and fostering mutual understanding among various sportsmen, visitors and volunteers.

The Opening Ceremony in the Astana Arena was the most extraordinary live event I have ever attended.

This nearly two-hour-long cultural showcase presented a stunning array of traditional dances, costumes, and performances, complemented by modern scenery, lighting, and special effects, all of which celebrated the rich cultural history of Kazakhstan.

The teams representing the participating nations paraded in alphabetical order, receiving enthusiastic support from a crowd of over 20,000, which included various national and regional leaders. In his speech, president Tokayev highlighted the profound historical significance of nomadic civilizations and the critical need to preserve their legacy, as well as the role of promoting global unity.

The theatrical display of nomadic traditions celebrated enduring principles such as harmony with nature, respect for the land, and the shared obligation to protect our planet as a common home. The performances reflected the heritage of the Tengri period, the prominent khanates, and Kazakhstan’s journey towards becoming a modern nation. A number of artists took the stage, but I was unfamiliar with their names.

Beside sport events, the main goal of Nomad games is also to expose and protect national heritage. Therefore, The National cultural complex – Ethnoaul was set up to allow visitors to acquaint with a rich history, culture, art and traditions of the Kazakh people. The ethnic and cultural environment of the nomadic civilization, festive life of the village, national costumes, music and theater performances were organized in traditional tents, called yurts.

People from all parts of Kazakhstan were explaining about their traditions, posing and performing. Some men were incredibly strong or extraordinarily tall, while women were really beautiful.

It was a fascinating experience to wander around the yurts, observe people in traditional clothes, taste traditional food and watch the performances.

The event comprised 21 different sports disciplines. I was introduced to many of these for the first time, with several being entirely novel to me, while others resembled conventional Olympic sports like judo, wrestling and archery.

Here is a compilation of the sports events I watched.

Mas wrestling is commonly referred to as a one-on-one stick tug of war, with competitors participating in a best-of-three series. The wrestlers sit on the ground, facing each other, their feet resting on a wooden board that lies between them. Both men and women take part in these contests.

Each competitor grips the stick with both hands, attempting to either extract it from their opponent’s hold or pull it into their own territory.

Some matches can be resolved in just a few seconds, while others may last up to a minute. It was apparent to me that the athletes are in excellent physical condition and have dedicated significant time to training in this sport at a high level.

The game of Asyk Atu occurs on a level surface that is specially treated. In the middle of this area, fifteen asyks, traditionally made from sheep knuckle bones, are positioned. Players alternate turns, attempting to throw their hitting knuckles at the asyks from a distance of six meters, aiming to displace them from the circle. An asyk is considered knocked out if it is struck and subsequently lands outside the circle.

In the game of Assyk atu, I did not identify any unique skills that could not be mastered with some practice.

The significant distance from the throwing zone to the knuckles area meant that results were frequently determined by luck as much as by throwing accuracy.

In general, Assyk atu is primarily an outdoor activity that enhances children’s analytical thinking and physical well-being, practiced during festive celebrations and gatherings.

Kokpar and Kok Boru are among the most ancient nomadic sports in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with a history spanning several centuries. Kokpar is associated with Kazakh culture, whereas Kok Boru originates from Kyrgyzstan.

The games can be described as a fusion of rugby and horseback riding, with the aim of scoring goals.

The main objective of these games is seizing the carcass of a goat – nowadays often replaced by a specialized dummy – from the adversaries and drag it into the opposing team’s scoring area. In Kokpar, this area is characterized by a donut-shaped elevated structure, whereas in Kok Boru, it is simply delineated by a circle on the ground. The game is known for requiring strong and valiant participants, as well as powerful horses.

The team that manages to throw the highest number of dummies, referred to as serke, into the goal emerges victorious. The serke is typically limited to a weight of 30-33 kg.

We observed the events at the National Hippodrome from a considerable distance, which affected our visibility. Nonetheless, the stands were filled with spectators, who created great atmosphere, predominantly supporting the Kazakh team, who had outperformed their American rivals.

Known as Audaryspak in Kazakh, horseback wrestling is a longstanding equestrian contest that assesses the strength and stability of riders. This sport has its roots in the training regimens of nomadic warriors and has transformed into a cherished tradition that highlights the participants’ bravery, agility, and outstanding equestrian abilities.

The competition features two muscular men on their horses, who are bare-chested and wear either a blue or red belt, grappling within a 15-meter circle until a winner is determined.

A decisive victory is awarded to the individual who can successfully pull their opponent from the saddle or, preferably, make them fall to the ground or win more points through various maneuvers, including pushing opponents outside the circle and lifting their leg above the saddle.

This was one of the most exciting events for me, highlighted by a key moment that called for VAR’s intervention. After a comprehensive review of the footage to determine if the competitor from Kyrgyzstan had caused his horse to bite the competitor from Kazakhstan, the victory was ultimately awarded to the latter.

Powerful nomad features five primary disciplines: lifting a 100-kilogram stone and carrying it as far as possible; throwing a heavy javelin for maximum distance; squatting with a 130-kilogram log on the shoulders; squatting with a 100-kilogram bag and towing a 200-kilogram trolley.

The strongman competition is comparable to other international events that aim to determine the strongest individual.

I watched only the first three disciplines. A dozen competitors demonstrated their strength in front of a predominantly Kazakh audience, who passionately supported all the athletes. Despite the Iranian contender’s formidable strength, the Kazakh athlete exhibited superior balance in terms of power and technique, which led to his victory and the gold medal.

I found it particularly rewarding to witness the competition up close, just a few meters away, as it enabled me to fully appreciate the strength and hard work of the competitors.

Horseback archery stands out as one of the most exhilarating competitions, involving the shooting of arrows while riding a horse at high speeds. This technique has been historically significant for hunting, protecting herds, and warfare, making it evident that competitors must possess advanced skills.

Horse riders approach the three-targets positioned parallel to each other, executing their shots with accuracy.

In a performance that lasts around 15 seconds, they shoot arrows in three sequences: first towards the target while moving forward, then parallel, and finally backward as they conclude their run.

Points are awarded based on the combination of successful hits and the time taken to complete the course; a shorter duration yields a higher score.

The extraordinary combination of agility, balance, and speed is remarkable.

I also witnessed the Traditional archery event, where competitors shoot arrows at a target set at 60 meters for women and 70 meters for men.

Qazaq Kuresi reminded me of judo, with the key distinction being that the contest is held entirely in a standing position.

From the breathtaking Opening Ceremony to the thrilling competitions in unique nomadic sports and the chance to connect with minority groups from across Kazakhstan and global visitors, I was truly captivated by this remarkable event. I believe I will attend one of these competitions in the future again, probably in a different country and rural environment.