Horses are essential throughout the mountains and steppes of the Central Asia landlocked nation of Kyrgyzstan. The nomadic lifestyle of many Kyrgyz people requires horses for nearly everything. Kyrgyz horses are used for transportation, for agricultural purposes, as offers of payment, and simply for companionship in the wide-open spaces and mountains. The horses of Kyrgyzstan are usually small and hardy animals that adjust well to extreme weather and rough terrain.
The value of the horse to the Kyrgyz is matched by the importance of horemanship. Children here often learn to ride before they can walk, and the horse and its rider are often developed in tandem. The Kyrgyz see their horses as extensions of themselves and abide by their proverb – “A horse is a man’s wings”.
Horses on their summer pasture. Alaj Valley in front of the Trans-Alay mountain range in the Pamir mountains. Asia, central Asia, Kyrgyzstan. 
Horses in the Alaj valley and the Trans – Allay mountain range in the Pamir mountains. Asia, Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan 
Horses for the production of milk, kumys and meat. A typical farm on the Suusamyr plain, a high valley in Tien Shan Mountains. Asia, central Asia, Kyrgyzstan. 
Horses for the production of milk, kumys and meat. A typical farm on the Suusamyr plain, a high valley in Tien Shan Mountains. Asia, central Asia, Kyrgyzstan. 
Summer pasture with traditional Jurts. The Suusamyr plain, a high valley in Tien Shan Mountains. Asia, central Asia, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstabn’s horse culture and horsemanship are demonstrated through traditional equestrian sports and festivals. In 2017 UNESCO added Kyrgystan’s national horse sport of Buzkashi to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The competition, also known as Kok Boru (“grey wolf”) or Ulak Tartysh, was originally a religious tradition but has evolved into a popular sport in the past century.
End of the match. Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
The goat is thrown into tai kazan (goal). Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Greeting at the beginning of a match. Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan. 
Players waiting for the next match. Kok Boru (Buzkashi). Traditional equestrian team sport. Festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshkomul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Kok Boru is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan.
Often compared to polo, Kok Boru events mix tradition, performance and horsemanship in a game that features two teams on horseback competing to capture and throw a goat’s carcass into the opponent’s goal. The sport fosters teamwork and unites communities through its various festivals and sports. The National Kok-Boru Federation, established in 1998, promotes the sport and safeguards it’s traditions and rules.
One other Kyrgyz horse sport is Oodarysh (“to take down” in Kyrgyz), which is essentially wrestling on horseback. The two competitors roughly poke, push, and throw their opponents to the ground, while their horses stoicly work to provide a stable base for their riders.
Er Enish or Oodarysh. Wrestling from horseback. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk and Sport festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshomkul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan 
Er Enish or Oodarysh. Wrestling from horseback. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk and Sport festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshomkul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan 
Er Enish or Oodarysh. wrestling from horseback. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk and Sport festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshomkul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan 
Er Enish or Oodarysh. wrestling from horseback. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk and Sport festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshomkul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan 
Er Enish or Oodarysh. wrestling from horseback. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk and Sport festival on the Suusamyr plain commemorating Mr Koshomkul, a sportsman and folk hero of the last century. Asia. Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan 
Kyz kuumai. Bridegroom chasing the bride. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk Festival commemorating the origin myth the Tien Shan Maral (Tian Shan wapiti), an origin myth of the Kyrgyz tribes. Near Tasch Baschat. Naryn region. Asia. Central Aisa. Kyrgyzstan 
Kyz kuumai. Bridegroom chasing the bride. A traditional equestrian sport. Folk Festival commemorating the origin myth the Tien Shan Maral (Tian Shan wapiti), an origin myth of the Kyrgyz tribes. Near Tasch Baschat. Naryn region. Asia. Central Aisa. Kyrgyzstan
The game of Kyz-kuumai (“Catch the girls”) is another Kyrgyz tradition known more as a mock courting ritual than a serious sport. The competition involves a male competitor chasing and trying to catch and kiss his female opponent, while the woman’s task is to whip and lash her opponent. Kyz-kuumai is often performed at festivals.
Photographer Martin Zwick travels the world in search of unique and interesting cultural stories. For images from Martin’s Kyrgyz horse culture collection as well as other features, please contact UIG.
All images: Martin Zwick / Reda&Co
All images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing. Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com
Sources: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kok-boru-traditional-horse-game-01294