For the first night of the tour, we stayed in the small and remote village of Karan-Dobo, in the Kemin District. The owner of our guesthouse sometimes organize traditional horseback games for their hosts. Luckily they did so during the evening we were there.
The games consist of various competitions on horses. Even if the participants are only demonstrating for the tourists, they don't take it lightly, as one participant punched another one in the face after an animated game phase.
Opening ceremony.
Presentation of the participants.
The first game was udarysh, where two riders wrestle in order to unhorse each other.
Then kuz-kumai (catch the girl), played with one male and one female rider.
The male rider get to chase the woman to (rather briefly) kiss her. In the return leg, it's the woman who follows her suitor, and whips him if she catches up!
I did not get a kiss, but fortunately no whiplash either.
The main game is ulak-tartysh, where two teams of competitors fight for a... headless goat's carcass (that you can see under the leg of the horse rider above).
First the riders gallop past the goat's carcass trying to pick it up off the ground.
It is followed by a chaotic brawl to get control of the goat.
Then the team that secured the goat rushes toward the side of the other team.
And drop the carcass off in the opponent's circular goal.
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