From September 8 to 13, the 5th World Nomad Games will take place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, featuring international competitions in ethnic sports. More than 2,000 participants from 85 countries will take part in the event.
The Games include three main fields: sports, culture, and science.
The infrastructure for the 5th World Nomad Games includes six major venues in the capital: Astana Arena Stadium, Kazanat Hippodrome, Martial Arts Palace named after Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, Alau Ice Palace, Qazaqstan Athletics Sports Complex, and the Duman Complex.
The 5th WNG infrastructure includes 6 metropolitan facilities: Astana Arena Stadium, Kazanat Racetrack, Wrestling Palace named after Zh.Ushkempirov, Alau Ice Palace, Qazaqstan Athletic Sports Complex, Duman complex.
Horse racing competitions, traditional archery and national types of hunting with birds, as well as horse riding competitions will be held at the Kazanat racetrack and on the territory of Ethnoaul. The Wrestling Palace named after Zh.Ushkempirov and Alau Ice Palace will host competitions in national types of wrestling, martial arts and folk games, and traditional intellectual games will be held in the Duman complex. The Qazaqstan Athletics Sports Complex will house the WNG Accreditation and Equipment Centers.
The main site for the implementation of the WNG cultural program will be the Universe of Nomads, Ethno-village (Ethno-Aul), which is located on the territory of 10 hectares adjacent to the Kazanat race course in the south-western side, as well as activities within the cultural program will be additionally held at various venues of Astana (city squares, parks, public gardens, other public spaces, theaters, concert halls, cinemas, museums, exhibition halls, etc.).
The events of the scientific program of the Games will be held at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The main venue for the implementation of the cultural program of the Games will be the “Universe of Nomads” Ethnoaul, which is located on a 10-hectare area adjacent to the Kazanat Hippodrome from the southwest. Additional cultural program events will be held at various locations throughout Astana (squares, parks, gardens, other public spaces, theaters, concert halls, cinemas, museums, exhibition pavilions, and more).
The events of the scientific program of the Games will be held at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Sports Program:
Competitions will be held in 21 sports:
• Asyk atu
• Ordo
• Tug of war
• Baige
• Kokpar
• Horseback Wrestling
• Tenge ilu
• Qazaq kuresi
• Ashyrtmaly aba gureshi
• Kurash
• Kokboruu
• Alysh
• Mas-wreastling
• Powerful nomad. Strongman competition
• Togyzkumalak (Toguz korgool)
• Mangala
• Oware
• Horseback archery
• Traditional archery
• Kusbegilik
• Kuresh
A total of 97 sets of medals will be awarded at the Games.
Cultural Program:
The day before the opening ceremony of the Games, the “Universe of Nomads” Ethnoaul will be inaugurated. This day will feature a spectacular theatrical performance titled “Astana – Capital of Nomads,” involving international guests and leaders of international sports organizations attending the Games.
At the unique concert venue of the Ethnoaul, cultural events will be held daily, including the largest exhibition-fair of the best craftsmen in Kazakhstan, showcasing their work and offering master classes where they will share the secrets of their craft. A traditional “Aitys” competition of akyns, featuring both leading and emerging poets, will be an integral part of the cultural program at the Ethnoaul. Modern cultural trends will be highlighted at the “Universe of Nomads” festival.
Additionally, the Ethnoaul will feature a fashion show podium. The ethnic fashion festival will showcase various samples of ethnic clothing, including those from the leader in this field, Global Nomads.
The cultural program of the Games also includes a film festival. Competitions in hunting with birds of prey and demonstration performances in national wrestling will take place at the Ethnoaul. The festival of national cuisine will demonstrate the hospitality and generosity of the Kazakh people, featuring master classes where visitors can participate in preparing food and drinks.
Before the Games, a colorful theatrical performance will be held in all regional centers of Kazakhstan and cities of republican significance. This performance will involve drawing water from a local sacred source for the opening ceremony of the Games. After parading through the central streets of the region and being honored in the central square, the caravan will head to the capital of Kazakhstan.
On the eve of the Games, all regional centers of Kazakhstan and cities of republican importance will host a colorful theatrical action, during which Water will be taken from one of the local sacred springs for the WNG Opening Ceremony. After passing through the central streets of the region and being honored in the central square, the Caravan will leave for the capital of Kazakhstan.
As part of the Caravan, decorated in the traditions and style of the region, in addition to the vessel with Water, creative groups will go to Astana to take part in the cultural program of the Games. Caravans will also bring the necessary number of yurts, utensils, and everything else that will be necessary for the organization of Ethno-Aul (the Universe of Nomads) from other regions to Astana.
On the opening day of the Games, a caravan of batyrs with torsyks (leather flasks) filled with sacred water, representing all regions of the country, will go in a colorful procession to the place of the opening ceremony. Water from sacred springs will be an important part of the culmination of the WNG Opening Ceremony.
The caravan, decorated in the traditions and style of the region, will travel to Astana with the vessel of water, accompanied by creative groups that will participate in the cultural program of the Games. The caravans will also bring yurts, utensils, and everything necessary for organizing the “Universe of Nomads” Ethnoaul.
Scientific Program:
As part of the 5th World Nomad Games, an international scientific and practical conference titled “Nomads: History, Knowledge, Lessons” will be held at the National Museum from September 9-11. The conference will include the following sections:
– History and Culture: Nomadic traditions and the spiritual wealth of the Turkic world; The role of nomadic culture and national sports traditions in fostering international cooperation.
– Sports Science: The current state of national sports development in Kazakhstan and participating countries; the history and ideology of national sports, and an analysis of the current state of the sector.
– Nutrition of Central Asian Nomads: Past and present nomadic nutrition; The connection between nutrition and the human microbiome; Lactic acid bacteria and the latest developments using them.
