DOCUMENTARY
The World Nomad Games
Documentary Series | Three Parts
Every two years, thousands gather on the steppe for the World Nomad Games, a celebration of Central Asian nomadic culture through traditional sports like horseback archery, eagle hunting, and kokboru (a brutal form of polo played with a goat carcass).
But beneath the spectacle is a deeper story about what happens when ancient traditions become modern spectacles… Join me as I explore not only this region’s unique sports and music, but the political history and cultural shifts that have contributed to these cultures becoming what they are today.
Ep. 1: Eagle Hunting
10 minutes
In this episode, join filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Ricky Qi into the incredible world of eagle hunting, a gold-medal event at the World Nomad Games. You’ll see how golden eagles from the steppe are trained to hunt prey such as foxes and wolves, and also learn about the unexpected bond between hunter and bird. We’ll also dive into the history of the steppe and explore how traditions like this evolved from the past to the present.
Ep. 2: Archery
10 minutes
In this episode, we explore how archery, horseback wrestling, and other events at the games. From galloping archers shooting at full gallop to mas wrestlers, every event showcases the ingenuity and toughness of the nomadic way of life. We'll dive into how these games connect to ancient warfare, from the invention of stirrups to the roots of Kokpar, a brutal sport born from wolf hunting on the open steppe.
Ep. 3: Dead Goat Polo
16 minutes
In this episode, we go ever deeper into the sport of Kokpar— dead goat polo— attending the championship match between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. But something highly expected unfolds during the game… A drama of epic proportions that calls into question our understanding of the base nature of the sport, as well as Central Asian nomadic culture in general.
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