The World Nomad Games: Celebrating Culture and Sport in Kazakhstan

The World Nomad Games: A Unique Celebration of Culture and Sport

As the Paralympics conclude in Paris, another remarkable global sporting event is set to begin in Astana, Kazakhstan: the World Nomad Games. This bi-annual initiative showcases athletes employing the ancient warfare skills and traditional sports of historically nomadic peoples from around the world.

This year, the games feature 21 distinct disciplines, including the exhilarating practices of horse wrestling, horseback archery, martial arts, and falconry, alongside various cultural and scientific competitions. Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, the World Nomad Games aim to promote and preserve ethno-sports and the rich ethno-cultural heritage associated with nomadic lifestyles.

“The World Nomad Games present a unique opportunity to showcase our country’s rich historical and cultural heritage,” stated Kazakhstan’s Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva in an interview with Euronews. She emphasized that the event allows Kazakhstan to highlight “the spirit of our nation and the soul of our people’s culture.”

Event Details and Global Participation

This edition of the World Nomad Games is taking place from September 8 to 13. More than 2,000 athletes from approximately 89 countries are set to participate. The organizers note that the list of nations represented has significantly expanded, reaching beyond those with traditional nomadic heritages.

• Diverse Geography: “What’s particularly interesting is the diverse geography of the participating countries,” remarked Kairat Sadvakassov, chairman of Kazakh Tourism. “We have representatives from Australia to Canada and from South Africa to Great Britain.”
• Global Growth: He highlighted that “even states with little to no nomadic traditions in their past are joining in,” indicating that these games are indeed gaining global traction.

The first three editions of the World Nomad Games were hosted in Kyrgyzstan, while the most recent event took place in Turkey, further exemplifying the event’s expanding reach and significance.