Kupkari: Wild Games in the Open Air

These traditional games of the nomadic peoples are known by various names in each country of Central Asia: “kok-boru,” “kokpar,” “kupkari,” “ulak,” and so on. However, they all boil down to a single pastime of goat dragging: to snatch the carcass of an animal from an opponent and race with it to the finish line.

“Kupkari” is a traditional equestrian competition among the peoples of Central Asia. In Tajikistan, this game is called “buzkashi,” which literally means “pulling the goat.” The objective is to wrest the carcass from an opponent and gallop with it to the finish. In the Fergana Valley, the game is referred to as “ulak,” named after the very goat carcass itself. In northern Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, such competitions are commonly called “kupkari” or “kupkar,” derived from the combination of the Turkic word “kup,” meaning “many,” and the Persian word “kari,” meaning “affair” or “work.” Thus, these contests are regarded as a “task for many,” involving a large number of participants.

Kupkari events are typically held in the autumn, coinciding with the widespread celebrations of weddings in rural areas after the harvest. However, equestrian competitions can be organized at any time of the year and for any occasion. The onset of sowing work and preparations for the spring holiday of Navruz also serve as suitable reasons for these strength contests.

In ancient times, kupkari was not merely a sport but a necessary preparation for riders, future warriors. The youth of nomadic tribes honed their skills in horseback riding through this practice, developing survival techniques for real combat situations. Today’s sporting matches also include dramatic moments.

Modern rules of kupkari prohibit causing direct harm to opponents, attacking from behind, or whipping exposed body parts with a lash. However, this does not mean the absence of combat fervor; riders still employ the most cunning tactics.

From a distance, the climax of the match may appear as a senseless mass of bodies, a whirlwind of horses, from which the leader eventually manages to break free in some unimaginable way.

While the young men engage in their struggle, the elders can converse about their affairs.

Kupkari is usually held in a foothill area with a broad hollow between gently sloping hills. Spectators position themselves on the slopes, ensuring there is enough space for maneuvers. Often, in the heat of the contest, a cavalry wave unexpectedly rushes toward the improvised “stands,” which must be vacated in a hurry.

Winners of each tournament are immediately awarded prizes. These can be monetary sums, valuable items, but more often, live livestock—sheep.

A camel is a highly valuable prize.

The victor returns home with their trophy.