The second competition at the horse games in Murghab is the bride’s race, Kyz-kuumai. Here a woman rides against a man. If the man wins, he may marry the bride, or gets a kiss (one says). It is doubtful whether one follows these rules in this way. Nowadays it is probably more about who wins. […]
Horse Racing at Murghab Horse Festival
In the meantime, the Horse Festival has become known far beyond the borders of Tajikistan. It consists of three disciplines: the classic horse race the bride’s race the horse wrestling In this article and video, we show the first part, the classic horse race. After the riders have completed their preparations, they gather at the […]
Preparation at Murghab Horse Festival
The annual At Chabysh Festival, also known as Murghab Horse Festival, is organized by the French Embassy, the Christensen Fund, and the Kyrgyz Ate Foundation. One celebrates Kyrgyz horsemanship and traditions with horse races and games. Kyrgyz Ate is a Kyrgyz NGO, founded in 2004 by Jacqueline Ripart in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). She developed an extensive […]
Murghab in the Pamir Mountains
When we arrive in Murghab, the Horse Festival is in full swing or better said already over for the first day. But we learn that the next day the disciplines are identical so that we haven’t missed anything. Many people sit or walk around with their children and are happy about the party that brings […]
From Alichur to Murghab
Actually, we should stay 2 days in Alichur. But our tour guide hears that the annual horse games take place in Murghab. So he changes the booking and the next day we travel from Alichur to Murghab. We head east. Already after a short time, we arrive at a small river that dams up to […]
A stroll through Alichur
After our arrival, we make a stroll through Alichur, together with our fellow traveler Eithne. Near our lodging, a man is busy producing bricks for his new home. He fills wooden frames with moist clay, removes the frame and dries the clay. And the building material is ready. Eithne seems to be looking for a […]