I had the pleasure of visiting the Ak-Kula Hippodrome in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to witness a game at times brutal, that could easily have come from a Mad Max movie, known locally as Kok Boru, or Buzkashi in Afghanistan. The game is simply two teams on horses that have to get a headless stuffed goat, into a concrete pit goal, located at each side of the field.
This is a favourite game of the nomads in Central Asia, and can involve the men falling off the horses and getting trampled on. It’s a hard game, with the need to be able to pick the heavy goats body from the ground, and race down the field to the goal while the other team tries to block you. It is an exciting game to watch.
There were two separate games played, and I could ramble on about the experience, but it is best told in pictures:
Kok Boru / Buzkashi !
UPDATE:
Having attended the World Nomad Games a few weeks after this post was written, I had the opportunity to see more games of kok boru. The exciting third place match between Turkey and Russia was great, but the final, which funnily enough had Kyrgyzstan versus Kyrgyzstan playing, was the best.
The two teams were quite equally matched making for a very competitive game. Being a member of the press for the games, I had managed too get right beside the field with a few others, and had the teams come charging right at me when they were fighting over the goat. That is an experience never to forget.
They play that awesome music at every kok boru game I have been to now, and it never gets boring. If you ever get out to Central Asia you have to go and witness one of these games.
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I went to Bishkek’s Hippodrome to see this at last year’s independence day celebrations! I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared watching a sport – I was clutching my friend’s arm the entire time, it was just so violent (especially when a horse broke its leg). Your photos capture the game perfectly!
Was awesome fun! My fellow travel blogging friend and I managed to get onto the main stage to take photos, and then ended up on the edge of the wall where the horses came charging at us flying dust everywhere. I almost had my bag trampled! I visited Kyrgyzstan two years ago but missed independence day so was happy to see it this time. Cheers for the compliment on the photos 🙂
It is an amazing show. We are happy that we participated in III World Nomad Games in this year in Kyrgyzstan (Cholpon Ata). You can find some photos from us:)
Kok boru. Kazachstan-USA
http://zplecakiem.pl/world-nomad-games-2018-amerykanskim-stylu/