National Games in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan, Aug 27

Originally from the Oxiana Yahoo Group List, and then posted on the Thorn Tree's Central Asia branch.

A Celebration of Kyrgyz National Games - Ulak-Tartysh, Kyz-Kuumai, Folklore Concert, and more.

To be held at Sarala-Saz jailoo (64km northwest of Kochkor) on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at 10am.

Arranged by a Community Based Tourism (CBT) in Kochkor Village, Naryn region

Dear Friends, Neighbours, Visitors, Equestrian Enthusiasts, etc,

Come join our celebration of the Kyrgyz people’s heritage. See the finest horsemen in the land put their mastery to the test in traditional games of skill. For millenia, equestrian games have been an important part of Kyrgyz holidays and feasts. Skill on horseback was vital in this nomadic society.Each of the following will be a part of our program.

Ulak-Tartysh is the king of traditional games, dating from ancient times when horse-riding ability was an essential part of a nomad’s dignity and aswift horse was a sure sign of wealth. Like football with a goat instead of a ball, each team of up to 10 players tries to put a headless goat carcassinto a goal, while the other team tries to prevent them. The winners give the goat to a village house of their choice, and are in turn invited in.

Kyz-Kuumai. This game is for two players on horseback, a young man and a young woman. The object of the game is for the man to catch the woman. The young woman gets a head start of about 5 to 10 minutes. If the young man can catch her, his reward is a kiss on the cheek. If he cannot overtake her, she gets to whip him instead.

Kьrцsh. Wrestling.

Oodarysh. Wrestling on horseback.

Tyiyn Enmei. Young men pick up a coin from the ground while on horseback.

Folklore show. Singing and dancing with musical accompaniment on traditional instruments is still an important part of Kyrgyz culture. Kochkor’s folklore group features the area’s finest musicians singing and playing the komuz, Kyrgyzstan’s three-stringed instrument similar to the mandolin, the ooz komuz, a small metal mouth harp, and other traditional instruments.

Our Program

10:00-10:20 Opening, Introduction to CBT

10:20-11:20 Folklore concert

11:20- 1:50 Oodarysh

11:50-12:20 Tyiyn Enmei

12:20-12:50 Kurosh

12:50-13:20 Kyz-Kuumai

13:20-14:20 Lunch

14:20-16:20 Ulak-Tartysh

16:20-16:30 Closing

Cost: FREE!!! 400 soms buys lunch and transportation from Kochkor to Sarala-Saz and back.

Questions answered, Problems resolved, Advice given:Feeling confused? Lost? Don’t despair. CBT Kochkor is a full-service tourism provider, dealing in tours, transportation, guides, accommodations, horse rentals, food, information, and anything else you need. In other words, trust us and we will take care of all your problems.

Where are Kochkor and Sarala-Saz jailoo?Kochkor is in northern Naryn oblast. It can be reached from Bishkek (190km) via the Yssyk-Kol road in about 2 Ѕ hours. After the Boomskoe Gorge and approximately 25km before Balykchy, turn right onto the road to Naryn. Kochkor is about 35km up the road, and 55km north of the Dolon Pass. From Bishkek’s Western bus station, a seat in a shared taxi should cost approximately 150 soms. Sarala-Saz is one of the largest jailoos, or high altitude summer pastures, in the Kochkor region and is located in the gorges of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountain range, about 64 kilometers northwest of Kochkor. If you’re driving your own vehicle, we can give you Kochkor – Sarala Saz directions.

Where to eat?Lunch will be offered at the festival for 90 soms. A tasty home-cooked dinner awaits you in Kochkor, just 90 soms at our guesthouses.

Where to spend the night?Community Based Tourism Kochkor offers bed and breakfast with hospitable families happy to supply you with soft, clean beds and peace and quiet. B&B is 250-300 soms per person in Kochkor.

R.S.V.P. If you would like to join us for this event, please contact us.

A few words about usIn May 2000, a project called Community Based Tourism (CBT) was initiated in the village of Kochkor. The project unites various tourism service providers from our village, and functions with the support of the Helvetas Swiss Association for International Cooperation.

The main goals of our project are as follows:

•To generate income to improve the standard of living of CBT members;

•To preserve the environment, customs and traditions of the Kyrgyzpeople;

•To create a professional organization among tourism service providers to promote tourism in Kochkor.

By utilizing our services you help us attain our goals

Please contact the coordinator of CBT Kochkor: Aidai Osmonalieva

Address: 22A Pionerskaya St., Kochkor

E-mail: cbt_kochkor@rambler.ru

Tel.: (03535) 2 23 55, mobile (0502) 42 75 62