World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan: Living Heritage and a Global Cultural Event

The World Nomad Games are an international cultural and sports event created to preserve and promote the heritage of nomadic civilizations. Founded in Kyrgyzstan, a country where nomadic traditions are still practiced rather than reconstructed, the Games unite ancient sports, cultural expression, and global dialogue.
It is not just a competition or festival. The World Nomad Games represent a conscious effort to keep intangible cultural heritage alive through practice, participation, and transmission to future generations.

For centuries, nomadic societies developed sports, rituals, and competitive games that reflected their way of life. These practices were closely connected to survival, horsemanship, hunting, community cooperation, and respect for nature.
The World Nomad Games were established to:

• Preserve traditional nomadic sports and knowledge
• Strengthen cultural identity among nomadic peoples
• Create international recognition for nomadic heritage
• Encourage cultural dialogue and mutual respect

Unlike modern sports events, success here is not defined solely by medals. Accuracy of tradition, respect for cultural codes, and authenticity are equally important.

A Living Nomadic Society
Kyrgyzstan remains one of the few countries where nomadic traditions are still part of everyday life. Seasonal migration to mountain pastures, horse breeding, yurt living, and traditional food preparation continue in many regions.
Because of this continuity, Kyrgyzstan did not create nomadic culture for the Games — the Games emerged naturally from existing traditions. This is why Kyrgyzstan is widely recognized as the spiritual home of the World Nomad Games.

• 2014 – I World Nomad Games, Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul Region
• 2016 – II World Nomad Games, Cholpon-Ata
• 2018 – III World Nomad Games, Cholpon-Ata

These first three editions took place on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, combining dramatic natural landscapes with large-scale cultural programming. They established the Games as a major international event and positioned Kyrgyzstan as a cultural leader in nomadic heritage.

This rotation reflected the Games’ evolution into a global movement shared by many countries connected through nomadic history, while still acknowledging Kyrgyzstan as the birthplace.

Kok Boru is the most iconic sport of the World Nomad Games. Played on horseback, it requires strength, endurance, tactical thinking, and absolute coordination between rider and horse. It resembles horse polo. Historically rooted in hunting traditions, Kok Boru symbolizes both rivalry and collective identity.
Kok Boru is played by two teams on horseback. Each team usually consists of 12 players, with 4 riders on the field at a time.

• The objective is to pick up a goat carcass (now often a standardized weighted dummy) from the ground
• Riders must carry it on horseback and score by placing it into a large goal known as a kazan
• Matches are divided into timed periods, and the team with the highest score wins

The field has no rigid boundaries like modern stadium sports. Riders rely on instinct, balance, and communication rather than strict positioning.
It remains the most watched and emotionally charged discipline of the Games.

The Games include numerous wrestling styles such as:

• Alysh (belt wrestling)
• Kazakh Kuresh
• Mongolian Bökh
• Turkish oil wrestling

These disciplines emphasize technique, balance, and respect rather than aggression.

Nomadic hunting sports presented at the Games include:

• Horseback archery
• Traditional bow competitions
• Falconry and hunting dog demonstrations

They reflect the historic relationship between humans, animals, and the environment.

The Ethno-Village is a central element of the World Nomad Games. It allows visitors to experience nomadic culture beyond the competitions.
Here, guests encounter:

• Traditional Kyrgyz yurts and their symbolic design
• National cuisine such as beshbarmak, kumys, and boorsok
• Folk music, epic storytelling, and traditional instruments
• Handicrafts including felt carpets, leatherwork, and embroidery

The Ethno-Village presents nomadic culture as a complete system rather than a collection of isolated traditions.

Dates and Format

• 31 August – 6 September 2026
• One full week of competitions, cultural programs, and international exchange

Locations

• Opening Ceremony: Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan
• Main Competitions and Cultural Program: Issyk-Kul region, including Cholpon-Ata and nearby cultural sites

This dual-location format combines modern infrastructure with the natural landscapes that define nomadic life.
Scale and Participation
The 2026 Games are expected to be among the largest in the event’s history:

• Over 40 traditional sports and cultural disciplines
• Participants from up to 100 countries
• Expanded cultural, educational, and exhibition programs

What Visitors Can Expect
Visitors to the 2026 World Nomad Games can expect:

• Large-scale Kok Boru tournaments and horse sports
• A major Ethno-Village with expanded cultural zones
• Craft workshops, food tastings, and storytelling sessions
• Performances combining traditional and contemporary interpretations of nomadic culture

The event is designed to be accessible both to specialists and first-time visitors.

Getting There

• International arrival via Manas International Airport (Bishkek)
• Road transfer from Bishkek to Issyk-Kul: approximately 3–4 hours

Accommodation
Accommodation options include:

• Hotels in Bishkek
• Lakeside resorts and guesthouses around Issyk-Kul
• Traditional yurt camps for immersive cultural stays

Early booking is recommended due to high international demand.

The return of the World Nomad Games to Kyrgyzstan in 2026 reinforces the country’s role as a custodian of nomadic heritage. The Games serve as a platform where ancient knowledge is practiced rather than archived, and where cultural diversity is treated as a shared human value.
The World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan combine cultural meaning with real-world experience. They allow visitors to observe, understand, and engage with traditions that shaped nomadic civilizations for centuries.
With their return to Kyrgyzstan in 2026, the Games reaffirm that nomadic culture is not a relic of the past, but a living heritage — relevant, meaningful, and shared with the world.