The World Nomad Games are the world's largest nomadic competition. This immense gathering takes place every two years in Kyrgyzstan, since 2014.

Created to promote nomadic culture and preserve its traditions, the World Nomad Games were designed as an alternative to the Olympic Games—showcasing only nomadic sports. Kok-Boru (or buzkashi), horse racing, yurt construction, archery, wrestling, and horseball are among the many games in competition.

Teams from around the world are invited to participate in the Games. While they primarily come from Central Asian countries, where nomadic culture remains significant, an increasing number of other nations, including France and the United States, are participating in certain events.

The World Nomad Games traditionally take place north of Lake Issyk-Kul, in the lakeside town of Cholpon-Ata. Indeed, the Kyrgyz had a massive hippodrome built there—the largest in the region—to host the games.

In the Kirchin Valley (Grigorievka), an ethno-village made of yurts and enormous wooden structures offers the chance to discover nomadic culture. There, you can learn everything about yurts and nomadic lifestyles, watch eagle hunting demonstrations or felt-making, listen to traditional Kyrgyz music, discover regional specialties from across the country, and witness impressive sporting competitions such as archery and wrestling.

The opening ceremony grows more grandiose with each edition: dances, concerts, and equestrian performances unfold against the backdrop of the magnificent Lake Issyk-Kul and the white mountains surrounding it. Traditional Kyrgyz songs are performed by orchestras of 1,000 komuz players—the local nomadic instrument.

It's a unique opportunity to witness the world's largest nomadic gathering and immerse yourself in the culture over just a few days. A genuine journey into the heart of nomadism, the World Nomad Games offer impressive spectacles and an unforgettable experience. And you'll gain an understanding of the importance of nomadic culture in Kyrgyzstan, one of the few countries today that continues to live by its traditions.

After the third edition, the Kyrgyz government decided to make the World Nomad Games a rotating competition. The fourth edition, scheduled for Turkey in 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus.