Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 4 )

In Kyrgyz, “Dzhigit Kumay” and in Kazakhs “Dzhigit Kuu” as a team and evasion of this game in the form of the chase, Turkey full provision in Turkish “Yiğit Kovalama / Valiant Chasing” is. This equestrian game, which is almost forgotten, until 1922-26, was played extensively among the Turkic peoples in all Turkestan geography. To overcome the shortage of resources, which is almost nonexistent in the game, to provide a resource to researchers and future generations on the subject, this game is about to be forgotten, again to add to the national sports ring of the Turks.In a globalizing world, almost every day one of the national cult . . .ural circles’ ruptures, this situation brings uncompensated losses, and the field of study on these issues is shrinking. In the research, we aim to bring this national game back to the culture of the Turkish people by revealing all aspects of the valiant chase game (Dzhigit Kumay). Descriptive identification and comparison method were used in the study. The research covers the Central Asian Turkic communities, including Kyrgyzstan and South Siberia.The intolerance of the Soviet ideology to the survival of all traditional cultural elements of the Turkish people, the valiant chase game also took its share, until the independence of Turkestan in 1991, it was seldom played. Even after this date, only the Kyrgyz and especially the Kazakhs have tried to revive the game, but they were not successful in this. Keywords: Kyrgyz; equestrian sport; valiant chasin More less

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World

Marat ERGEŞOV

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 15 )

Traditional equestrian games were a very important part of the culture for all Turkic people, because of the nomadic style of life and periodic wars throughout the history. Equestrian games make the young people be very close to the horse – the animal, which was the main element in daily nomad life and prepare young men to control a horse very skillfully during the battles. We can see the same situation in the history of the Kyrgyz people. Most of the traditional games of Kyrgyz people are also horse related. According to literature, Kyrgyz people have a lot of equestrian games like At Chabysh, Zhamby Atmay, Er Enish, Kok-boru, Tiyi . . .n Enmei, Kyz Kuumay, Kelin Zharysh, Dzhigitovka, etc. Sport is one of the main themes in cinema from the beginning of the history of cinematography. Traditional sports games are also often used in films, especially in Turkic country cinemas. As we know, Kyrgyz Cinema was part of the multinational Soviet Cinema and despite it, it could use many cultural elements in Kyrgyz films. Traditional sports and games are also used as an element of cinema narration. This research analyzes the using traditional equestrian sports and games in Kyrgyz Cinema, as one of the effective propaganda tools. Keywords: Kyrgyz cinema; equestrian sports; traditional game More less

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 2 )

In this study, “wrestling on horseback” which is a traditional sport called “enish” or ‘Oodarish/Avdarys/Audarysh’ done in the Middle East Region (Turkestan) will be mentioned and introduced. Purpose: Having kept the two socio-cultural values known as horse riding and wrestling for centuries, wrestling on horseback (oogdarish) formed with the combination of these two sports is more than a sportive activity. The purpose of the study is to know and introduce this ancient traditional sport separated into two groups ‘Men’s-enish’ and ‘women’s enish” and bring it to the world sports literature. Descriptive analysis method of the qualitat . . .ive study designs was applied in the study. For the proper application of the method, World Nomad Games (WNG), Folk-Game (Hand-Game) started by Altaians from local Turkic peoples in Siberia in 1988, World Ethno-Sport Confederation (WEC) organizations, and many local sports organ[1]izations held in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were watched live. Moreover, some historical resources were scanned. Women’s and men’s oodarish, which has a broad story and rich tradition, was found to be done willingly with active and broad participation of both men and women in the region from Siberia to Central Asia except for Turkey, Balkans, and the Caucasus. It was understood that the functional and ideological roots of enish challenge are historically related to having had to face external powers and the election of the military leader by a group of people. The sport is done in two forms conventional and formal, the first of which was found to be more common. Keywords: Turkestan; Central Asian Turkic peoples; wrestling on horsebac More less

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 6 )

In Kok-Boru (also known as Buzkashi, kokpar, and kupkari); the goat is slaughtered and the throat is cut off from the neck, the head is decapitated, the forelegs are cut off from the knees, the hind legs are cut off from the hock, the cannon bone is cut off, and the internal organs are gutted, and then stitched up from the belly with a strong band or cord (the carcass is sometimes steeped in salt water so that it will not break when the players pull it in). Buzkashi is a traditional equestrian game found only among the peoples of Central Asia and played with the carcasses of goats or calves. There were several versions of kok-boru, . . .one of the old Turkic games, under different names (Ulak-Tartysh, Torpok-Tartysh, Buzkashi, etc.) during engagement-wedding ceremonies, mourning ceremonies from region to region, or playing with the carcasses of torpok (1-2 years old cattle/calf or heifer) and goat or ram or male goat. These carcasses are the main element of the game. Even with different accents and dialects, only the common name “Kok-boru” (Grey Wolf/Bozkurt/Blue Wolf/God Wolf) will be able to reach the Turkish world today. Because the game has several risks, the Soviet system changed and reshaped the form, ideas, and rituals of the game. But the popularity of Kok-Boru was so great that it could somehow preserve the archetypal cultural codes every time (Hamchiev et al., 2013:10). It is well known that horseback races inspire in people a sense of independence and increase the feeling of superiority. That is why they are also seen as a show of force. The Kokpar is a race that evokes a sense of deep pride in both spectators and participants in the vast steppes. The race involves young people who are confident, strong, skilled, powerful, and with full reins. Because even if this game is not desired at all, sometimes it can lead to death. Therefore, this game is a race that requires courage, bravery, and intrepidity. This race is held both on horseback and on foot. The word “kozlodranie” (keçi ağlaması/keçi yırtması) in Russian was suggested by the famous writer Cengiz Aitmatov. The word “keçiyi yırtma” took place in his novel, “Farewell, Gul’sary” (1978: 243). Altaians and Kyrgyz call the game “Kok-boru”, while Altaians call kok[1]boru players “Börüler”1 and Northern Kyrgyz call the game “Ulak[1]tartysh”, and together with Southern Kyrgyz they call the players “Ulakçı” (Simakov, 1984: 35). Bashkirs call this game, which they mostly play with a ram carcass, “Kok-büre”. It is called “Kökpar-tartu” in Kazakhstan, “Kukpari/Ulak” in Uzbekistan, and “Buzkashi” (calf[1]abduction) in Afghanistan and Tajikistan (Yabyshtayev, 2011: 202). The term “kok-boru”, which is the combination of these two words and which has many meanings among Turks, can be considered a religious and social norm as well as a ritual or national motif for some Turkic peoples, although it has lost many of its historical functional meanings. It is not quite clear why Kok-Boru is called ‘Bozkurt’ (Boz[1]boru). However, for the Turks and especially for the Bashkirs it is important to be a ‘messenger of God’, a wolf or such recognition (Qahhr, 1995: 202-204; Aleksiyev, 1987:73). The terms ‘ulak-tartysh’, ‘buzkashi’ and ‘torpok tartysh’ were used for the game. Here, ulak/uğlak means goat, buziga/buzga/buz mean calf (buzağı); and torpok means cattle aged 1-2 years. Tartış/tartmay/tartişiş/kaçi/kaşi refers to tug/pull/tackle/chase/carry (Gabain, 2000: 271). The name “Kok-boru”, which carries religious, totemic, mythological, and legends, is the oldest and most widespread name of the game in the Turkish world and carries social values and even social norms (Bektenov, 1978: 116; Ömürzakov, 1981: 6; Toktorbaev, 1991: 76; Saralaev, 1993: 72). It can be seen that these historical, mythological, functional and original designations were written alongside time (kokbori/kokpar/kokpori, etc.). Also, the naming of Ulak-Tartysh, Buzkhasi, Torpok-Tartysh, etc. which was used in the 20th century (animal name of the rope used in the game), have become widespread. There are more ritual meanings in the Kok-Boru game than the game content (Bobyliov, 1989: 26). Keywords: Kok-boru; equestrian sports; ulak-tartys More less

Sıymık ARSTANBEKOV

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 13 )

The history of nomadic civilization is an epoch almost three millennia long. Spirituality and morality become important in the life of a young person. The World Nomad Games (WNG) united more than 86 countries around the world with horse riding and horseracing, a popular equestrian game in Kyrgyzstan and other Asian countries. Therefore, the motto of the World Nomad Games (WNG) is “United in spirit, united in strength.” Keywords: nomad games; horseracing; categories

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 5 )

The horse, as in the formation of the Turkish steppe nomadic culture, was the main action in the determination, development, and transfer of sports tradition to other cultures. There have been those that are still being done, those on the verge of being forgotten, and those that are forgotten. In this study, the “horse riding tour” in the third class will be examined. The purpose of this study is to record and present it as a written document to at least future generations. Horse tura was played at the village weddings played Afşin, Elbistan, and Göksun of Kahramanmaraş, Sarız of Kayseri, Akçadağ, and Darende of Malatya, Gürün distr . . .icts of Sivas. Methot: ace[1]to-face interviews (live interviews) and document scanning methods were used in the study. Five men and five women were interviewed and the literature was reviewed. The tour game, which was an integral part of social ceremonies in the past; rituals such as invitations, music, awards, and categories were examined under titles. Result: two versions of the game “naked collision” and “liver collision” were found in Kyrgyzstan. It has been determined that the game of horse riding is played in the ceremonies of marriage and circumcision, accompanied by Khidr-nebi, ramming, harvest compilation, spring, and national holidays. It has been found that this game has been played intensively until the 1940s in the city of Elbistan; until the 1970s in Kahramanmaras, Afşin, and Göksun districts, villages on the skirts of Binboğa Mountain. Keywords: traditional sports; attitudes game; Tur More less

Mehmet TÜRKMEN | Ünal TÜRKÇAPAR

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 12 )

A cop is a slightly elliptical, knot-free stick made of flexible and dry wood, the length of which is 80 cm, and the edges of which are blunted. The game played on horseback with this stick called cop is named particularly as ‘Egyptian Wood Game.’ It is a traditional equestrian game in which competitors on horseback try to make the sticks, by hitting them on the ground, bouncing over a thick rope connecting two poles with heights of 5-6 m and a distance of approximately 6-7 m in between. The Egyptian Wood Game played frequently in the Ottoman period and in the 1960s in Turkey was no more practiced in Turkey for the last fifty years . . .except in a few locations in West Anatolia. Significance: Almost every day, a traditional cultural element disappears also in Turkey which is among the countries deeply affected by the globalization of the world. This study was conducted because the scope of studies on these issues diminished and there were even no theoretical resources as sometimes there were no practical sources. Objective: Introduction of this traditional game, which does not exist in written records, to the Turkic sports literature by correctly underlining its rules and procedures. Methodology: Monograph was composed in the form of a compilation, also observations were included by paying a visit to Karapurcek town of Susurluk district of Balikesir province of Turkey and certainly unique and distinctive images were used. Result: It was deduced that Egyptian wood game which was known to be played in the palace and its environs in the late period of Ottomans was especially an integral part of social ceremonies in West Anatolia until the 1960s, and as of the 1960s, lost gradually its character making it the constituent part of festivals and at present, was practiced only in a limited format in a few small local festivals in combination with a performance of drum and clarion. Keywords: labut; Egyptian stick; cop (stick); equestrian sports; traditional gam More less

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 1 )

The “jeered,” which is a type of bayonet or spear used as a war tool for the Turks, is a wooden athletic (jereed) stick, 100 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter at the head, plastic-coated, oval, with a diameter of 1.5 cm towards the back. Just as many Arabic words entered our language, jereed also entered Turkish from the Arabic word “cilind” during the Ottoman period. Jereed is a game that emerged with the aim of better throwing the bayonet and spear on the horse to the enemy. (Turkman, 1996:128).In this case, as in the prototype of all sports, the jereed emerged to develop warrior skills, and by doing exercises on the horse with this war . . . training material, it took the form of a game with rules over time, and even though it was a risky game, it still was an element of entertainment over time. In other words, the javelin is the shortened form of this long and penetrating device, which dates back to ancient times and is called “bayonet” in Turkish, “nayza” in Persian, “spear” in Arabic, “guder” in Greek, to throw hunting and war tools at a distant target from a horse. The prototype of the Jereed game is a developed modification by the Ottomans of the game “Sayış” which is a game played even rarely among Central Asian Turkic people (Turkman, 1996: 129).The jereed on horseback game was not played by the Central Asian Turkic peoples, as stated by the local writers in Turkey. Let us state from the beginning that it has not been played in any Turkish locations such as Turkestan or Central Asia outside the Ottoman borders. The game of jereed, which is not seen in Central Asia, first appeared in Anatolia during the Ottoman period, and in the 14th century, two types of jereed games were seen in the palace. The first is the jereed on foot (range jereed), as the name suggests, it is played without horses, and the second type is the familiar jereed on horseback. (Oztelli, 1976: 51). The only version of the jereed on horseback game in today’s world, with the name “Isındı”, exists in the Abaza, Avar, Chechen, Circassian, Georgian, and Karachay peoples of the Caucasus (Davidov, 1989: 27) More less

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 20 )

The following sports have been played in World Nomad Games which take place every two years in the last two decades. These competitions commonly take place throughout central and southwestern Asia.

Mehmet TÜRKMEN

Chapter of Books | 2023 | Applications of Traditional Equestrian Sports in the World ( Chapter 3 )

In this study, “Stallion wrestling,” which was made in the nature of horseherds (yilki) and a designated area for horse breeding in ancient Turks, is presented with some arguments. Explaining briefly the importance given to horses and horse breeders in ancient Turks and today’s Central Asian culture, how stallion wrestling was formed and transformed; it was aimed to seek answers to the questions of why horse breeding was not done with this wrestling method in the Ottoman Empire, but it was done with a canter running system and to recognize and introduce this ancient traditional struggle. In this study, which was carried out with the . . . descriptive definition method, which is among the qualitative study patterns, document/text analysis was also carried out. It has been understood that almost all of the ancient Turkish-Mongolian peoples, except for the archaeological findings in the museums of Southern Siberia, the petroglyphs in the same geography and Central Asia, and the Anatolian Balkans, practiced stallion wrestling for breeding purposes, at least until the last quarter of the 20th century. Today, the wrestling struggles of the stallions continue in the Central Asian geography for the leadership of the semi-wild snakes released into nature; the Turkish tribes of the Altai Republic, who were victorious and took their stallions, made stallion wrestling once a year in the third week of July in the “Folk-Game/El-Oyun” festival. However, it was removed from the 2022 program because it was seen as contrary to animal rights by those who came to this festival. But wrestling continues in the rural areas of the Altai Turkic peoples and all-over Inner Mongolia. The ‘horse races’ for horse breeding in the Ottoman Empire intensified in the second half of the 19th century, and it was understood that they were not held for breeding purposes after 1920. Keywords: Central Asia; Altai Turks; Mongols; stallion wrestling; horse breedin More less