At the international research conference “Nomadic Civilisations: Heritage, Paradigms and Prospects”, held as part of the VI World Nomad Games, professor and AlmaU president Asylbek Kozhakhmetov (Kazakhstan) gave a talk on the role of the World Nomad Games in shaping the values of an open world.
In his paper he set out the significance of the World Nomad Games as an international cultural and humanitarian platform that brings together sport, tradition, scholarship and intercultural dialogue.
Asylbek Kozhakhmetov noted that for centuries the historical space of nomadic civilisations was a territory where different peoples, cultures, languages and traditions met. Constant movement and openness fostered trade, diplomatic ties, cultural exchange and peaceful coexistence.
In the professor's view, the World Nomad Games are a modern continuation of that civilisational experience. What sets them apart is the combination of traditional sports with culture, music, crafts, folklore, ethnography and scholarly study of the heritage of nomadic peoples.
The talk gave particular attention to traditional sports. Horse riding, wrestling, archery and other contests, Asylbek Kozhakhmetov said, reflect the way of life and worldview of nomadic peoples and form an important part of their cultural heritage.
A substantial part of the talk was devoted to the oral heritage of nomadic peoples. The professor spoke of the role of manaschi, zhyrau, zhyrshy and tokmo akyns (improvisers) in preserving historical memory and passing knowledge and values to the next generations. The Kyrgyz epic Manas and the art of the manaschi hold a special place in this tradition, as does aitysh as a form of open public dialogue.
According to Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, the unity of memory, word and dialogue is an important part of the spiritual heritage of nomadic peoples. Today that tradition finds a new continuation through international cultural and academic events that bring together representatives of different countries.
The professor also stressed that since the World Nomad Games were founded in 2014 their international significance has steadily grown. Today the Games help not only to preserve traditional heritage but also to develop cultural interaction between peoples.
The VI World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan thus become a space where sport, culture and scholarship come together around the values of openness, mutual respect, cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence.