Roger Arnold

Mongolia Eagle Hunting Festival

Two Kazakh riders struggle for control of a dead goat in a game of Kokpar also known as Bushkashi at the annual Eagle Hunting Festival, Bayan Olgi, Mongolia, Oct 2, 2004. Kokpar requires a combination of strength, courage, and horsemanship skills. This traditional game has come back since the Soviet withdrawal from the region. The Kazakhs of Mongolia play one on one, with 10 men on each team. When a rider loses his grip on the goat or falls off his horse he has to join the opposing team. Eventually one team has all the riders on its side and is the winner. Kokpar or Bushkashi is also played in a ruby style in other parts of Central Asia including Kazakhstan. Hundreds of riders may line up on each side, and then mayhem prevails as they all rush to grab the goat.

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Copyright: Roger Arnold
Image Size: 3008x2000 / 944.7KB; Eagle Hunting Festival tug of war mountain sport banned under soviet rule ancient sport nomad Buzkashi navrus reviving tradition custom ancient tradition central asia tradition Asia Central Asia travel adventure horse riding Bushkashi Kokpar horsemanship horse sport sport tradition Muslim Horsemanship Horse Kazakh
Contained in galleries: Mongolia Eagle Hunting Festival

Two Kazakh riders struggle for control of a dead goat in a game of Kokpar also known as Bushkashi at the annual Eagle Hunting Festival, Bayan Olgi, Mongolia, Oct 2, 2004. Kokpar requires a combination of strength, courage, and horsemanship skills. This traditional game has come back since the Soviet withdrawal from the region. The Kazakhs of Mongolia play one on one, with 10 men on each team. When a rider loses his grip on the goat or falls off his horse he has to join the opposing team. Eventually one team has all the riders on its side and is the winner. Kokpar or Bushkashi is also played in a ruby style in other parts of Central Asia including Kazakhstan. Hundreds of riders may line up on each side, and then mayhem prevails as they all rush to grab the goat.