Two Kazakh riders struggle for control of a dead goat in a game of Kokpar or Bushkashi at the annual Eagle Hunting Festival

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Two Kazakh riders struggle for control of a dead goat in a game of Kokpar also known as Bushkashi at the annual Eagle Hunting Festival Bayan Olgi Mongolia Oct 2 2004 Kokpar requires a combination of strength courage and horsemanship skills This traditional game has come back since the Soviet withdrawal from the region The Kazakhs of Mongolia play one on one with 10 men on each team When a rider loses his grip on the goat or falls off his horse he has to join the opposing team Eventually one team has all the riders on its side and is the winner Kokpar or Bushkashi is also played in a ruby style in other parts of Central Asia including Kazakhstan Hundreds of riders may line up on each side and then mayhem prevails as they all rush to grab the goat

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Size: 5120px × 3404px
Location: Bayan Olgi, Mongolia
Photo credit: © Roger Arnold / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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