The World Nomad Games are the Olympics’ Wild Cousin

Right now in Paris, sleek and polished arenas contain some of the world’s most talented and regimented athletes competing on the world stage. Their nutrition must be bespoke, their form perfect, and their training meticulously tailored for optimal performance – a performance that, while incredibly impressive, might shave half a second off their previous best… if they’re lucky.

On the other side of the world, amid the craggy terrain of Kazakhstan, a rival competition pulsates with a more primal energy. Reflecting the fierce, rugged, devil-may-care attitude of an ancient gladiatorial arena, the World Nomad Games thrust you back in time to revive the ancient spirit of its surrounding cultures.

The event began in 2014, taking place in Kyrgyzstan and drawing in 583 athletes from 19 countries. The latest event, held in 2022, drew 3,000 athletes from 102 different countries, including the United States, Japan, Argentina and even European countries like France and Germany. As it continues to propagate, the sports, opening ceremonies and celebrations become ever more elaborate.

You won’t find the conventional athletic staples of diving, gymnastics or the 100-metre sprint, nor will you see athletes confined to spandex or lycra. Instead, men don traditional leather armour and women wear flowing medieval gowns as teams galloping on horseback compete to throw a headless goat carcass into a goal, wrestle each other atop their steed, hunt with eagles or shoot arrows using their feet!

Inevitably, these fearsome competitions make the contrasting Olympians look meek and timorous. Cirit, for instance, originates in Turkey and features two teams on horseback throwing spears at each other – essentially medieval jousting but from every direction. Mas wrestling involves two contestants sitting on the ground opposite each other, heaving a stick to determine who’s the strongest.

The games are supposedly based on three sections: sports, culture and science. This includes ‘traditional intellectual games’, typically in the form of board games. Togyzkumalak, for example, is traditional to Kazakhstan, and belongs to the ‘Mancala’ family of games – believed to be among the oldest games in the world, dating back to 3000 BC.

Sports are not the event’s singular focus – a range of cultural events will be held daily. The opening ceremony is an integral facet and will involve some of the most scintillating performances – from musical masterpieces to choreographed dances and theatrical performances. A unique concert venue will be present and includes exhibitions of craftsmen holding masterclasses, the traditional musical competition of Aytys, as well as various forms of indigenous art.

In many ways, the event transforms into a living museum, recreating the authentic atmosphere of a foregone era – stroll around and you will be acquainted with nomads carrying eagles on their arm, banquets of regional food and camels transporting goods to and fro.

The hospitality is distinctly warm – wherever you go, you’ll meet people delighted to show off their culture. The World Nomad Games is a celebration of these ancient nomadic traditions and customs, and has played a significant role in materialising these legacies on the world stage.

Occurring every numerically even year, the 5th World Nomad Games will begin on 8 September 2024 and last for 5 days. The venue will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan’s swiftly advancing capital city, and comprises 21 unique types of sports. The event is sponsored by organisations like UNICEF and UNESCO who remain steadfast in preserving the integrity of the traditions and customs as well as helping empower local communities whose culture is being showcased.

If you’re interested in the understated yet illustrious culture of Kazakhstan, you can read more about this historical region in our Managing Director Felicia’s blog, which documents her eye-opening trip in the Heart of the Silk Road. Alternatively, if you want to plan a bespoke itinerary and maybe even catch a glimpse of the World Nomad Games, feel free to contact us directly – either by emailing us at enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk or calling us any time (+44 117 313 7070)!