The record-breaking fifth World Nomad Games, also called the Olympics of the nomadic world, concluded on September 13 in the capital of Kazakhstan where the Central Asian country secured the top spot on the medal table.
Over the course of a week, competitions were held across 21 sports. Kazakhstan gathered the largest delegation with 195 athletes, followed by Kyrgyzstan with 172 and Russia with 144 participants, the local press reported. The Kazakh wrestling event drew the most competitors, with 266 athletes taking part. The final day of the fifth World Nomad Games brought ancient nomadic horse racing traditions to life in a centerpiece of the events – baige, with Kazakhstan’s Aikabak horse emerging as the winner in a 25,000-meter race.
“The games held on Kazakh land are a competition with deep meaning and rich content. Our national sport has been showcased to the whole world and our culture has become even more widespread,” Kazakh Minister of Sports and Tourism Yerbol Myrzabossynov was quoted as saying. It is a great honor for us that the competitions are organized on Kazakh land, the golden cradle of the Turkic world,” he added.
The Kazakh Minister passed the nomadic games symbol – torsyk (traditional leather vessel) – to the Kyrgyz Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy, Altynbek Maksutov, whose country will host next World Nomad Games.
The World Nomad Games are not just about sport. Myrzabossynov said his country showed the world his country’s exceptional cultural heritage. During last week, participants and visitors experienced the Kazakh nomadic way of life, yurts, traditional food and music as well as met the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet dog breeds. These faithful and fast hunting dogs were important companions of nomads.
Kazakh Tazy receives preliminary recognition as an official breed
Dogs are among seven treasures in Kazakh culture. On September 4, the Kazakh Tazy, one of the oldest dog breeds in Kazakhstan, received preliminary recognition by the International Canine Federation (FCI) as an official breed.
An ancient breed with over 4,000 years of history, the Tazy is known for its running speed and majesty, embodying the resilience and spirit of Kazakhstan’s people. The very name Tazy translates to “swift, fast.”
According to Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration’s press service, this decision is a key and final step before fully recognizing the Tazy as a Kazakh breed at the international level.
Union of Canine Specialists of Kazakhstan Bauyrzhan Serikkali said his country has met all the FCI requirements for recognizing the Kazakh Tazy as a distinct breed. “All necessary procedures have been completed. Today, the FCI General Committee unanimously recognized the Kazakh Tazy at the global level. This is an important day for our culture and history, and we are committed to preserving and popularizing this national breed,” he said.
Congratulating Kazakhstan on this historic decision, FCI President Tamas Jakkel emphasized the importance of the upcoming ten years, during which health tests and data on the breed must be collected to ensure the Tazy’s well-being and secure its place as a recognized breed globally.
“Today is a historic day for your country. The FCI Standards Commission and the Scientific Commission recommended that the General Committee accept the breed. Congratulations! There are 10 years of work ahead, including health tests and gathering statistics on the breed and puppies. FCI will monitor the development of the breed in Kazakhstan,” Jakkel was quoted as saying.
Since 2022, Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration, on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has prioritized the recognition of the Kazakh Tazy. Over the past two years, their work included legislative amendments, scientific research, breeding shows, and exhibitions.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has been designated as the authorized body. “The tazy was considered one of the seven treasures of the Kazakhs,” Tokayev said earlier. “We must promote this breed and the Tobe breed on the international stage. Support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is crucial in this regard. The Tazy requires special care and a professional approach, which is why a special law has been enacted,” the Kazakh President added.
In February, President Tokayev presented French President Emmanuel Macron with two Tazy puppies.
🇰🇿🐶🐶🇫🇷Lors de la visite d'#EmmanuelMacron au #Kazakhstan, le Président Tokayev lui avait présenté deux chiots de la race nationale «Tazy».
Les chiots Jules et Jeanne ont été récemment livrés à #Paris. On dit que nos «Tazy» se sont déjà «liés d’amitié» avec labrador noir Nemo. pic.twitter.com/2n37uT2Xq0— Anuarbek Akhmetov, Kazakhstan (@AnuarbekQAZAQ) February 7, 2024
The two dogs called Jules and Jeanne are now living at Élysée Palace with Macron’s black Labrador Nemo.
Registration of dog breeds for international recognition is only possible through national cynological organizations with full FCI membership. In August 2023, Kazakhstan’s Union of Cynologists met all FCI requirements and achieved full membership, earning the right to declare its national dog breeds.
In 2022, Kazakhstan pledged to allocate 1.4 billion tenge (USD 3 million) to preserve and reproduce Tazy and Tobet hunting dog breeds. The Tazy faced near extinction in the post-war years of the 20th century. Following the efforts of the dog-friendly Kazakh people and more recently the efforts of the presidential administration, today there are several thousand Tazy dogs in Kazakhstan, but the threat of losing unique cultural features due to globalization, urbanization and even climate change remains.
