In 2026, Kyrgyzstan hosted the sixth World Nomad Games. Participants from more than 100 countries competed in dozens of traditional disciplines. What are now spectacular international competitions once formed part of the everyday life of nomadic peoples.
Horsemen shoot arrows at full gallop, kok-boru teams attempt to throw a goat’s carcass into their opponents’ tai kazan, and berkutchi enter the arena alongside birds of prey. But these competitions are about more than sporting excitement – they preserve the memory of ancestors, traditions, and cultures that participants seek to pass on to the next generation.
Our team goes behind the scenes of the Games, meets the participants, and tries some of the disciplines. Why does the chance to enter the arena sometimes mean more to competitors than winning? And how are ancient traditions being kept alive in the modern world? Find out in our film.
