Games of Kazakhs.

Audaryspak (a fight on horses) - this kind of a National sport requires good skills in hand-to hand fighting and dzgygitovka. Horsemen fight while sitting on horses. The winner is the person,who throws his opponent from his horse.
This is horses struggle. The main point is to throw the competitor from the saddle. The mature men with good physical strength, deftness, endurance and ability of horseracing have taken part. Usually such men take part in competitions on behalf of the whole aul and clan.
“Bayga” is presented with the first horse at the amount of 10, 15, 20 coins. The next one gets 75 coins, then 50 coins and 25 coins. So the amount is decreased. The winners of horseracing do not take away the reward.
This is custom of generosity and courage. Therefore, the basic part of “bayga” is given to dead men, “aksakals” (old men). The other part is allocated between friends. The fighters get big “bayga” as well.
They are presented with camels, covered by carpets, “akyns” (singers) are presented with “chapan” (hat) and horses. It is known, that the commemoration is arranged in honor of the oldest in clan.
Many people till 15000 men were gathered in spite of their class. One eyewitness told: “Traveling hundred miles for good “toy” (holiday) doesn’t mean anything. Treating and pleasure compensate everything”.
Celebration was lasted from 3 till 7 days depending on material state of the organizers. Various games, competitions were carried out every day. The last day was ended by great horseracing as a glory of commemoration.

Authority:
Life and culture of Kazakh people. Kenzheahmetuly S. Almatykitap, 2006. From the book “Kazakh traditional culture in the collections of Kunstkamera”. Almaty. 2008

Photo
Alexandr Petrov.