Sports Program: Dozens of Ethnic Disciplines
The sports program (2–5 September) focuses on preserving and promoting traditional sports of nomadic peoples.
|
Sport |
Key disciplines |
Location/Dates |
|
Equestrian Games |
Kok-boru (team game with a goat carcass), horse races, jergalysh (“catch the girl”) |
Hippodrome, Cholpon-Ata |
|
Wrestling & Martial Arts |
Kyrgyz kuresh, Alysh (belt wrestling), Er enish (wrestling on horseback), Mas-wrestling |
Issyk-Kul (various venues) |
|
Traditional Games |
Ordo, Toguz Korgool (logic game), archery (including horseback archery) |
Issyk-Kul |
|
Hunting |
Demonstrations by berkutchi (falconry), taigan sighthound races |
Jailoo (mountain pastures) |
Interesting fact: The finals of Er enish (wrestling on horseback) are planned for the Closing Day, 6 September, promising a dramatic finale.
Cultural Festival: Immersion into the “Universe of the Nomad”
Alongside the sports competitions, visitors can experience a major ethno-festival in the yurt town of Kyrchyn. This is not just a backdrop — it is a living showcase of nomadic civilization:
- Music & Dance: “Ethno Dances” and “Ethno Hits” festivals featuring folklore ensembles, throat singing, and manaschi epic storytelling alongside modern ethno-rock.
- Crafts & Masterclasses: Fairs of felt crafts (shyrdak, ala kiiz), woodcarving, and jewelry. Guests can learn how to set up a yurt or make musical instruments.
- Gastronomy: Ethno-food zones with tastings of beshbarmak, kumis, kurut, and cooking contests by oshpoz (masters of pilaf).
- Modern Extreme: The “Ethnomoto” festival is expected, combining traditional horse stunts with modern motorcycle shows.
Why WNG 2026 Matters for Travelers
The VI World Nomad Games 2026 will be the largest event in Central Asia, bringing together athletes and guests from more than 89 countries. It is a unique chance for tourists to combine world-class competitions with deep immersion in nomadic cultural heritage on the shores of the legendary Issyk-Kul Lake.
Official WNG 2026 website: https://worldnomadgames.org/en/
World Nomad Games 2026: Top 3 bikepacking routes around Issyk-Kul: Freebike.kg