Traditional Games & Sports

Kokpar (also known as Buzkashi in other Central Asian countries) stands as the most intense and thrilling of all Kazakh traditional sports. This ancient game, dating back to the time of Genghis Khan, tests horsemanship, strength, and tactical thinking like no other.

The Game — Hundreds of riders (dzhigits) compete to carry a goat carcass (now typically a weighted dummy) into the opponent's goal. There are no teams — every rider for themselves — creating a chaotic spectacle of colliding horses, flying dust, and incredible athleticism.

Skills Required — Success in Kokpar demands exceptional horsemanship to control the mount amid chaos, immense upper body strength to wrestle the 30-40kg carcass from opponents, tactical awareness to anticipate moves and find openings, and courage to ride into the melee where hundreds of horses collide.

Modern Kokpar — While traditional Kokpar used a real goat carcass, modern versions often use a weighted dummy for animal welfare reasons. The sport remains central to celebrations like Nauryz and independence day, with tournaments attracting thousands of spectators.

Kyz Kuu (Girl Chasing) is perhaps the most beloved and photogenic of Kazakh traditional games. This playful sport combines romance, skill, and the beautiful backdrop of the open steppe.

How It Works — A young woman on horseback waits at the starting line, whip in hand. A young man on a faster horse begins some distance behind. On the signal, both gallop forward. The man must catch up and attempt to steal a kiss. If he succeeds, the roles reverse — she chases him back to the starting line, whipping him all the way.

Cultural Significance — Beyond entertainment, Kyz Kuu developed riding skills and provided a socially acceptable way for young people to interact. The game features prominently at weddings and festivals, often drawing laughter and cheers from crowds.

Togyzkumalak (Forty-One Stones) is the most popular traditional board game in Kazakhstan, played by two people. Like chess, it requires strategic thinking, but with unique mechanics that have fascinated Kaz.

The Board — The gameakhs for centuries is played on a board with two rows of 9 pits (kazan), plus two larger pits (kuy) at the ends. Each player controls their row and the kuy on their side. The game starts with 41 stones divided equally between players.

Gameplay — Players take turns moving their stones counterclockwise, sowing them into pits by. The goal is to collect stones in your kuy. When a player's last stone lands in an empty pit on their side, they capture all stones in the opposite pit.

Cultural Significance — Togyzkumalak represents Kazakh values of wisdom, patience, and foresight. The game is often played during long winter nights and family gatherings.

Er Enish (Fight for the Sash) is a traditional test of strength that has been practiced in Kazakhstan for generations. The game involves two contestants competing to pull a sash or rope from their opponent's grip.

How It Works — Two contestants sit or kneel facing each other, each holding end of a special sash (beldir). On the signal, they pull in opposite directions, attempting to force the other to release their grip or move from their position.

Strength and Technique — Success requires strong grip and arm muscles, core strength for stability, lower body positioning for leverage, and mental endurance to outlast the opponent.

Traditional Context — Er Enish was often held during festivals and celebrations as a way to determine the strongest young men in a community. Winners earned respect and sometimes favorable consideration for marriage.

Bese Tas (Five Stones) is a traditional dexterity game played primarily by women and children in Kazakhstan. This game develops hand-eye coordination and has been played for generations.

The Stones — Players use five small stones, traditionally sheep or goat bones or specially selected pebbles. The stones should be roughly uniform in size, easy to grip and toss.

Gameplay — The player tosses stone into the air while grabbing others from the ground, then catches the falling stone. The game has multiple levels of increasing difficulty:

Tosbash — Pick up stone while catching the thrown

Eki tosbash — Pick up two stones at

Üsh tosbash — Pick up three stones

Tört tosbash — Pick up four stones

Cultural Significance — Bese Tas was traditionally played by girls and young women during long winter evenings or while watching livestock. It developed dexterity and was considered preparation for needlework and other crafts.

Arqan Tartys (Tug-of-War) is of the simplest yet most exciting traditional Kazakh games. Two teams compete in a test of pure strength, pulling on opposite ends of a rope to drag the opposing team across a marked line.

The Rules — Teams line up on opposite sides of a strong rope, often made of woven wool or leather. The rope may have a marker in the center. On the signal, both teams pull, attempting to drag the opposing team past the center line.

Team Strategy — Success requires maximum number of participants, strongest members positioned at front and back, coordinated pulling technique, and team morale and unity.

Traditional Context — Arqan Tartys was held at community gatherings, weddings, and festivals. It built community spirit and allowed young men to demonstrate their strength.

Modern Competitions — Today, Arqan Tartys is organized as a formal sport with weight categories, standard ropes, and specific rules.

Tenge Alu (Picking Up Coins) is a spectacular traditional Kazakh game that tests the riding skills of horsemen at full gallop. Riders compete to collect coins or small objects from the ground without dismounting.

The Challenge — Coins or small metal objects are placed on the ground in a designated area. Riders gallop past at full speed, leaning down from their horses to scoop up the objects while maintaining control of their mount.

Skills Required — Mastery demands perfect balance in the saddle at high speeds, quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination, strong leg grip to stay mounted while leaning, and trust between horse and rider.

Variations — The game has several difficulty levels from simple (pick up coins from a slow walk) to championship (pick up increasingly valuable objects at full gallop).

Historical Context — Tenge Alu developed from practical skills needed in nomadic life, such as retrieving dropped items or catching loose livestock.

Modern Competitions — Today, Tenge Alu is featured in traditional sports festivals, with standardized rules ensuring safety.