Kazakh national games played a big and important role in the life of the Kazakh people. They are known to lift the mood, develop strength, agility and endurance. Most of these games have a competitive nature.

Knocking down a Tymak

Knocking down of a Tymak is the Kazakh national game in which everyone who is able to keep in a saddle and having a horse can take part. A pole, not exceeding the height of the rider, is stuck into the ground and put on its top a headdres – a Tymak. Party games show the place where you installed Tymak, then tightly blindfolded and give into the hands of the whip. After that, the rider is twisted in one place and released with the words: “Well, now go, you knock down the magician.” In case, if player not shot down Tymak with three attempts to, he can, on resolving leading, fulfill song or improvisation, that gives him the right again to accept participation in contest. The number of participants in the game is not limited, everyone who has a horse can try their luck.

Altybakan:

“Altybakan”, the Kazakh national game, the entertainment of youth. However, traditional moments of educational significance are of great importance. In the evening all the young people of the village, horsemen and women, with the village construct a “Altybakan” (swing: Alty — six, Bakan — pole). The game is of great importance in the knowledge of art, the views of young people, their relationships. Parents look with indignation at various entertainments of youth, and have no right not to release “Altybakan” (especially girls). Here the young people sing songs, play various games, and this fun continues until midnight. “Altybakan” is a kind of entertainment leisure.

Kyz kuu:

Kyz Kuumai (catch the girl) is a national equestrian game in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It involves boys and girls who compete in pairs on horses of half-breeds. In the first half of the game, the girl is pursued by a young man and if he catches up, he kisses her; in the second half of the game, they change places. A girl is trying to catch up with your partner and in case of success hits him with a whip. The distance of the race is 400-500 m. at the end of the race, a flag is set, indicating the turn-control point. The girl (and the boy in the opposite direction) takes the start on the two horses ahead.

Mastery of the game (for personal or team championship) is assessed on a five-point system, taking into account three characteristics-the art of owning a horse, artistry (beauty) performance and agility of the race. Participants perform in colorful national costumes on the same-suited, spectacular on the exterior of the horses, so that the spectacular side of the competition is very winning.

Kokpar:

In the Kazakh national game of kokpar, dzhigits of auls neighboring on the pasture took part. This contest was a test of strength, dexterity, accuracy, ability to stay in the saddle. On the day of the competition, all participants and spectators gathered on the field. At a distance of 10-20 meters competing ram carcass rushed. And so began the struggle for kokpar, which could last until the evening.

Audaryspak:

Audaryspak is a well-known type of Kazakh folk wrestling-one of the types of wrestling of riders on horses. According to the rules of this type of equestrian wrestling, it is allowed to “drag” the opponent only forward and to himself, as well as to go ahead of the opponent, thereby preventing him from moving forward. In addition, it is forbidden to use against each other whip — an indispensable attribute of any rider. Of great importance in audaryspak is the selection of the horse. According to established demands, the most preferred are low, mobile and strong horse. In the past, there were even specialists who were engaged in the cultivation and training of such horses. Competitions in the Kazakh single combats, games and competitions were usually arranged during traditional holidays, and also family celebrations.

Baiga:

Players in pairs (horse and rider) stand on the start line so as not to interfere with each other. The first player — the horse-stretches his hands back-down, the second-the rider-takes his hands, and in this position the pair run to the finish line. Rider first rode to the finish line, must jump up and get patterned handkerchief hanging on the rack.

Tuime Alu:

On opposite sides of the site outline the start and finish lines. On the site laid out a large number of coins (stones). Players line up along the start line. At the signal, the horsemen start racing-moving towards the finish line, simulating a horse race. During the races, the horsemen, without stopping, bend down and pick up the coins. The winner is the one who was able to collect more coins during the race.

Alaman baiga:

The Kazakh national game “Alaman baiga” is a test not only of riders, ability to stay in the saddle, but mainly-it is a test for horses. Alaman baiga is an equestrian competition, racing over long and ultra-long distances. The historical roots of this game are based on the need of Kazakhs to prepare horses for long transitions during migration to new places, as well as the selection of the hardiest and strongest horses to improve the breed. So gradually Alaman baiga became an integral part of the big holidays. Sometimes during such competitions some horses could not withstand the load and died before reaching the finish line or fell from fatigue, breaking their legs. It is known that riders before the races, in order to protect their horses from the evil eye, braided their tail and mane into braids and braided owl feathers or amulets from the evil eye into it, and also tried not to show the horse to anyone, keeping it under a blanket.

Ak suyek:

Participants in the game are in a row. The purpose of action — to quickly find a bone and transparently to bring it to the host. If the children notice it, they chase the player and, lightly hitting the shoulder, take the bone, then also run to the leader. In order to be invisible and without obstacles to bring the bone to the leader, you can show cunning, resourcefulness. Another player, under the pretext that he can not find the bone, goes to the leading step, distracts the attention of opponents in various ways (for example, speaks loudly, pointing to the other, and claims that the bone supposedly he has, etc.). If a player has found a bone, that is, was lucky, the whole group or one of the group fulfill his desire: sing, read poetry, imitate the voices of animals.

Oramal:

The driver gives one of the participants a handkerchief tied in a knot. Participants stand in a circle around the driver. On command driving “One, two, three!”all participants scatter. The driver must catch up with the player with the handkerchief, touch his shoulder and take the handkerchief. At the moment of pursuit, the player with the handkerchief can pass it to a friend, he-to the next, etc. If the driver catches the player with the handkerchief, he must fulfill any of his desires: sing a song, read a poem, etc. After that, he becomes the driver.

Kumis Alu: (pick up the coin) it was this competition that particularly impressed Alexander the great when he visited Central Asia. According to historians, when he saw kumis Alu, he exclaimed: “This is the real training for a warrior rider.” At the contest, the horseman could prove his skill and skill. At full gallop, the jig must pick up a bar of silver from the ground – this was the former condition of the game. Now, instead of a silver ingot, the rider on the full speed of the horse, quickly leaning down, picks up the left and right coins tied in handkerchiefs. The one who will be able to take in one race more number of scarves, is considered the winner.

Kazakh national games are closely connected with the art of the people, first of all it is a tradition and heritage of the people. It was here that many capable and talented people were noticed and singled out.