World Nomad Games 2016 Kyrgyzstan

Описание: What Exactly Are the World Nomad Games?
The official mission of the World Nomad Games is to: revive and preserve revival the historical cultural heritage of the nomadic people’s civilization of the world.
The games have four different themes: martial arts and wrestling, horse racing and events, cultural events and intellectual games.

Are the World Nomad Games Similar to the Olympics?

The sporting results appear to be similar to the Olympics on the surface. Athletes come from across the world to compete for their countries. In 2016, a whooping 1200 participants came from 40 different countries. Not bad, considering that this was only the second time the event was held!
But a quick look at the event schedule and you quickly realize that unlike the Olympics, you’ll hardly recognize any of the events. Mas-wrestling? Kok-boru? Yurt judging? And that’s exactly what makes the World Nomadic Games so special.

Which Countries Participate in the World Nomad Games?
Participants are mainly from Kyrgyzstan and other former Soviet Republics. But they also come from Mongolia, Turkey, China. Even less obvious countries like Germany and Benin in West Africa take part. Athletes welcome the chance to compete in their sport of which there are few opportunities on the global scale. I spoke to two German participants who were competing in the archery competition. They spoke most about the camaraderie between competitors.


Where and When are the World Nomad Games Held?
The games are held on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kuk in Kyrgyzstan. They’re held every two years in September. The next one will take place in 2018.

I had so many highlights of the World Nomad Games. As a result, I’ve broken them down into the following categories: Opening Ceremonies, Cultural Highlights and Sporting Highlights. It will really give you a feel for why I think the World Nomad Games are truly one of the coolest events on the planet.


The Opening Ceremony was a spectacular show featuring dancing, singing, horsemanship like I’ve never seen before anywhere and the participants coming on stage. Wrapping it up was a dramatic fireworks display. It was similar to an Opening Ceremony at the Olympics but with its own cultural relevant twists.
If Genghis Khan were alive, he’d want to be here, proclaimed the announcer at the Opening Games. The crowd went wild. Khan was the Founder and Emperor of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. He united many of the nomadic tribes that conquered most of Eurasia. He’s a legend in Kyrgyzstan.

It was one of the first differences I realized about the games – nomadic cultures of course have their own heroes. That’s why I was shocked when they introduced the guest of honour, Steven Seagal dressed in Kyrgyz khan armour. In the west it’s thought that his best days are behind him. Here he’s revered, judging from the crowd’s thunderous applause. Sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.

The Opening Ceremonies were a feast for the senses. I especially loved the performances by the horsemen.

The Opening Ceremony ended in a dramatic fireworks display.
There were multiple cultural performances. These involved the participants wearing traditional clothing, singing, dancing and stunts on horses. There was so much going on, it was hard to know where to look. It is captivating.