Kupkari – courage and severity of the most ancient tournament

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Uzbekistan is an amazing country with a thousand-year-old culture, interesting traditions and original folklore. Since ancient times, the Uzbek people have been holding an unusual tournament of real men on big holidays and events – kupkari or ulok (goat catching).
Kupkari is an incredibly spectacular performance, which takes your breath away from what is happening, and especially impressionable people can be shocked. In terms of entertainment, kupkari's game can be compared to the Spanish encierra and the American bull rodeo. Thousands of players on horseback, in clouds of dust, in excitement and with fearlessness are fighting for the carcass of a young goat or ram.

The first mention of the competition was found in the Chinese notes of a traveler in the state of Davan (now the territory of the Fergana Valley) in the VII century BC, in the era of Zoroastrism. Since ancient times, man needed a spectacular and exciting spectacle. After millennia kupkari has not lost its popularity and prestige. In the past, the winner was awarded with livestock, carpets or horses. Nowadays, modern household items, appliances and even cars become prizes.

Not everyone can take part in the games, but a well-trained rider on a physically developed and disciplined horse. The champions of the games are dexterous, hardy, with athletic anger players. And not every horse is suitable for such competitions. As a rule, elite horses of the Karabair breed participate. Such horses need special care and care. They are trained to hold the body correctly, fight off rivals and develop good speed. It is unacceptable for a horse to freeze in winter or suffer from the heat, it must have a balanced diet at a certain time and jogging in the fresh air is mandatory.
Before the start of the kupkari, the "maslahat" council meets, which decides on organizational issues, what prizes and the venue of the competition will be. As a rule, the game takes place in a rural area on a wide plain surrounded by hills. This is done so that the audience can sit on a hill and follow the progress of the game. A ram or goat is also prepared: all the insides are removed, leaving the liver and heart, then the limbs are cut off to the knee. The carcass weight should not exceed 50 kilograms, and if it is less than the set weight, salt or earth is added to the carcass.

The contestants wear special quilted chapans and a protective headdress. Before the start of the game, the manager announces the prize and puts the carcass of a ram or goat (ulok) in the center of the outlined circle, and then the most interesting begins. All participants on horseback rush to the carcass in order to have time to lift it. Only the most frisky, impudent and nimble manage to get through the crowd and manage to grab the prey. Then, at speed, the "getter" hurries to the line to deliver his trophy. At this time, dozens of players are trying to take away his cherished carcass. At the same time, all the rules of the tournament are observed, above all, an honest victory.

The winner is solemnly awarded prizes and now everyone in the district knows about him, and he enjoys respect and authority in the mahalla. The kupkari tournament is another reason to get acquainted with the rich culture, ethnosport, which is rooted in the deep antiquity of the Uzbek people.