Traditional horse-mounted games, such as kok boru, combine ancient practices and performances. The goal of this Central Asian sport is to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal using a horse-mounted player. It has been played for over 500 years and is still played today.
A Kyrgyz kokboru field's size depends on the number of participants, but they were first defined and regulated in 1949. Since 1958, kok boru events have been held in hippodromes. Beginning in the tenth century, buzkashi (goat pulling) spread eastward from China and Mongolia, spreading through centuries-long migrations that ended in the 1930s. During those migrations, buzkashi was used by nomadic Asian tribes.
Kok Boru is played by two teams on horseback. It is a game where the teams manoeuvre with a goat’s carcass (replaced with a mould in modern-day games), otherwise known as ‘ulak’, and score by throwing it into their opponent’s goal. Bearers are divided into players in the higher leagues, semi-professionals, and amateurs, as well as the general public. Most experienced players serve as referees, and another group consists of the 'Kalystars,' who oversee the game's fairness.
In the past, the main goal of the Kok Boru game was to train for fighting. Playing kok boru taught men and horses to be fearless. It taught men to be brave, courageous, and daring, qualities necessary to become warriors. Kok Boru results will determine the Great Kok Boru Player and the Great Kok Boru Horse. The Player will be determined by the number of carcasses produced, while the Horse will be the horse of the Great Kok Boru Player.
The winner of the Great Kok Boru Player will be awarded money, other valuable prizes, as well as ethno attributes. His name will also be included in the Great Winners' Book of the World Nomad Games. His name will also be added to the book at the next Games, where he will defend his title against any rivals. However, if he loses or does not play the game at all, the name of a new winner will be recorded.
These all element expresses the traditional culture of its practitioners and their spiritual identity, and it fosters a culture of teamwork, responsibility, and respect that unites communities regardless of social status.
A key role for the National Kok-Boru Federation, founded in 1998, is to promote and safeguard the element by means of demonstration, as well as during festivals and social events. In addition to this, the community concerned actively participates in ensuring its viability by passing down knowledge and skills, researching, and organizing training. The element is especially active through demonstration and during festivities.