Archive

Elements

Kokpar tartu, Kazakh traditional horse sport game
English List
  • 1/1
    이전 다음
    확대
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00001333
    Country Kazakhstan
    ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    Kokpar Tartu appears at all regions of Kazakhstan as well as in some regions of other countries where Turk nomads live (Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan).
    Year of Designation 2013
Description Kokpar Tartu (in Kazakh means 'taking goat away' is a traditional competition of horse riders for a goat carcass. 'Kokpar' or 'Kok bori' in Kazakh means 'grey wolf'. Originally kokpar attributed to three factors: 1) the players portray predatory steppe wolf attacking a herd and likewise destroy their sheep; 2) it is possible that in this way before fleeing with the production, so, probably, rescued from captivity the wounded batyr; 3) linked with the struggle of phratry for the carcass of an animal totem. This game is known among other peoples of Central Asia and East (Kyrgys Kok boru traditional game was inscribed to the Representative list in 2017). There are two versions of the game. The most common is 'zhalpy-tartys' ('common competition), where the winner will be the most skillful horseman. Another version of the game 'doda-tartys' (contest of two teams) - a struggle between the two groups, which include a certain number of riders participating in the contest. So, one of the riders jumps with a dead goat carcass, and the rest of the team's players are trying to take away the carcass. The aim of the game is to pick up and bring the goat carcass to the set location. Participation in kokpar tartu requires a high training of members, as this contest of the strength, agility, endurance, ability to stay in the saddle.
Social and cultural significance Kokpar tartu is an expression of cultural and historical tradition and is spiritual identity of its practitioners. It attracts a large number of audience and each of them interprets is in his/her own way. For the public in general, it is, undoubtedly, more than just a traditional game. It is a competition, which consolidates concerned communities regardless of the self-identification and of social status. The game fosters a culture of teamwork, responsibility, respect for players of the opponent team through the game itself and transmission of knowledge between all bearers of the element. The game requires not only physical but life skills as well and respect for the players and other practitioners of the element.
Transmission method The main role of the trainers are in transmission of the element. Trainers provide horse riding skills, explain special features and rules that are core of the game. The specific features and knowledge concerning the element has been mainly transmitted in a natural way through demonstration. They are also transmitted to the players though participation in festive and social events in ordinary life, and to the audiences as well, through their ability of embracement as a mean of pleasure and traditional sport type, a subject of perception of the culture. Both, at the professional and amateur levels, the transmission is enhanced by formal and informal components of the game. Along with the nuances of strategy and tactics, coaches transmit the knowledge on rules and behavioral norms in the game and towards the horse.
Community Bearers of the element are players of Kokpar tartu, sportsmen are primarily young men. The most experienced and known ones serve as the referees. There are also selected horse breeders who select horses and those who are engaged in horse training and care.
Keyword
Information source
Kazakhstan National Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage
List

Materials related to

Photos