National Kyrgyzstan's Dead Game

National games and sports which the Kyrgyz people demonstrate their equestrian skills are an integral part of the Kyrgyz culture. It’s very likely you’ll come across a local horse game event while you’re traveling through the country. You should arrive just in time to attend a local competition of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular horse game Kok Boru or also known as Dead Goat Polo.

Kok Boru is an ancient valued ritual among nomadic tribes and one of Central Asia's most popular sports. In this game, the referee rides to the centre of the field to start the game. The goat carcass is thrown across the pommel of his horse, specifically prepared for the duel with its head and legs previously severed and the resulting holes sewed up to prevent intestines from gushing. The four or five leading horses tramped the goat as their riders knelt down, arms outstretched, in a hazy attempt to grab a handful of fleece before being barged out of the way by another horse's flank.

A particularly wiry individual who looked to be able to ride with just one leg hooked into the saddle, eventually caught the prize and yanked his body upright and brought the goat into his lap in a single movement. Although this sport may appear unusual to a foreigner, it will provide you with a fascinating cultural experience.