Kyz kuumai- The Kissing Game
According to an ancient proverb, horses are “the wings of Kyrgyz". Horse riding forms an integral part of their culture.
The national festivals in Kazakhstan involve the celebration of traditional games, most of which are equestrian rivalries. The itinerant way of life required the Kazakhs to be genuinely good horse riders and skilful trackers. Kyz kuumai, or Kyz koo, is an equestrian game among the Turkic people, such as the Azerbaijanis, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz.
It literally means “chase the girl” in Kazakh language and displays glimpses of horse racing, yet is frequently alluded to as a “kissing game”. A youth riding a horse holds up at a beginning line. A young lady, mounted as well, starts her pony, a little away. At the point when the young lady passes the youngster, he may start his pony and the two race towards a spot ahead.
In the event that the youngster can make up for a lost time to the young lady before they arrive at the finish line, he may reach out to her and steal a swift kiss, which marks his triumph. If the youngster has not made up for the lost time to the young lady when they arrive at the finish line, the young lady pursues the admirer back to the beginning line. She may use her whip to beat him, which implies a triumph for her.
"Bokom Bayev Festival - Kyz-Kuumai - Chasing After the Bride" by kyrgyzstanjessica is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Riders in traditional Kazakh dress play Kyz kuar, the young woman is "winning" by whipping the young man.
