Kokpar is a game of nomads with a centuries-old history and strict rules. Since ancient times, only brave, courageous Kazakhs participated in this game. After all, the rules of the competition and tricks on horseback required considerable effort, concentration and quick reaction. About the significance of the game, included in the UNESCO heritage, in the material Liter.kz.
Today, March 20, National Sports Day is celebrated as part of the ten-day period of Nauryznam. Kokpar is considered one of the most common mass competitions in Kazakh culture.
In national games, Kazakhs acquired the skills necessary for survival; it is not surprising that equestrian sports were popular among nomadic tribes.
Photo: Federation Kokpara RK
Initially, instead of a goat carcass, the Kazakhs used a wolf carcass. Hence the name kokpar, which means blue wolf. When the hunters could not share the beautiful skin of the wolf, a competition was announced.
In ancient times, kokpar was played in villages throughout the steppe. According to the rules of the game, the wolf carcass had to be brought to your yurt, and not to the cauldron as it is now.
Only if the carcass ended up inside the house did the lucky person become its full owner, therefore, in addition to fighting, chases were common. Basically, everyone played for themselves, but teams of several people were also allowed to compete.
Quarrels between quarreling comrades were often resolved through kokpar. Thus, friends competed in auls and after that the winning side invited the losers to a common dastarkhan. They treated the guests to the meat of the trophy, so that during the dastarkhan all hostility would disappear.
Photo: Federation Kokpara RK
Today, playing kokpar has become one of the most common sports. Basically, the competition involves two teams, but jappai kokpar was also held, where everyone could take part.
National games are our history, heritage and traditions. One of the features of the games of the Kazakh people is a test of strength and endurance. Today, various competitions and tournaments in national sports will be held in all regions. Holding equestrian competitions and falconry competitions, as well as tournaments in togyzkumalak, asyk atu, sadak tartu will allow Kazakhstanis to plunge into the feeling of a universal holiday, said the Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ermek Marzhikpayev.
In addition, the game has reached international proportions. Even the cowboys of America are now competing with our kokbarists. A demonstration competition on National Sports Day was held in Astana. Together with Ladd Howell, the American professional cowboy Casey Field also took part in the kokpar, organized on the eve of the great national holiday.
Photo: Federation Kokpara RK
The competitions indicate that kokpar is widespread in countries around the world and is turning from a national art into an international class sport.
Photo: Federation Kokpara RK
As part of the festive event, demonstration performances on kokpar, audaryspak, tenge il, sadak atu, kyz kuu and master classes on togyzkumalak and asyk atu took place. The guests were shown dogs of the Tazy breed and were introduced to the ancient art of kusbegilik.
During the meeting, the countdown display for the fifth World Nomad Games Astana 2024 was launched. At the suggestion of the cowboys, American rodeo may be included in the program of demonstration performances within the framework of the fifth World Nomad Games.
It is worth noting that at the fifth World Nomad Games there will be competitions in 20 national and folk sports, such as equestrianism, kokpar, national wrestling, archery, traditional intellectual games, hunting with birds of prey, jamby atu, tug of war. In addition to the official program, 10 demonstration types of national art will be presented.
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2024-03-22 17:52:05