From a goat polo game known as Kok-Boru to "intellectual games" played with a sheep's anklebones, these pictures show the traditional sports being played at the World Nomad Games.
Ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan kicked off the competition it has hosted biennially since 2014 on Monday with Turkey pledging to host the 2020 edition of the week-long traditional sport extravaganza.
![Opening ceremony: World Nomad Games. Photo / TASS, Getty Images](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/RY2NWWKTHUGGKPY45AGTPCE64A.jpg?auth=be24c5cc2c9bf4a9ef1c6ac452c4bde76431daa40934dc6873540020d4904d96&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The picturesque Kyrchyn gorge near the shores of the Central Asian country's Lake Issyk-Kul was awash with colour as dancers and horse riders entertained international and local guests before the real action began on Tuesday.
![A woman in traditional dress performs at the World Nomad Games. Photo / Viktor Drachev, TASS, Getty Images](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XOTUXNQUV5N7JZ6OIHYW4ET764.jpg?auth=98167dec7ff98cdcc89f31fc51114ad8320ebbb3a1c5ef5952ccb7c7925bde01&width=16&height=25&quality=70&smart=true)