Central Asia’s Kokpar Game Experiences Revival Amid Growing Crowds

ALMATY – Crowds are converging to witness kokpar, a traditional Central Asian game known as “goat pulling,” but it needs to be popularized at a smaller scale to truly celebrate the cultural heritage, said Daniyar Daukey, experienced kokpar player and owner of a kokpar club in Almaty, in an interview with The Astana Times. 

A goat dummy is being picked up by kokpar players as training ahead of the game. Photo credit: The Astana Times

The ground trembles as a dozen horsemen charge their horses toward a goat carcass at the center of a…