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Nomadic horse games
Baiga is a traditional long-distance horse race of the Turkic peoples. It tests not only speed but also the horse's stamina and the rider's skill at pacing.
| Group | Nomadic horse games |
|---|---|
| Also called | baige, bayga, alaman baige, kunan baige, top baige, at chabysh |
| Olympic | no |
| Where it is popular | Baiga is held in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and among other Turkic peoples. Races are a must at big festivals and village celebrations. |
Baiga used to be run across the open steppe, and today it is usually held at racecourses. The types of baiga differ by the age of the horses: kunan baige is for young two-year-olds, usually over 11 km, while alaman baige is for horses over three. Alaman baige is the most prestigious; in Kazakhstan it is usually 21 to 31 km long and sometimes 50 km. The first horse to reach the finish wins.
The race needs hardy local horses that are specially prepared for long distances. Expensive purebred racers (Thoroughbred, Arabian and Akhal-Teke) are not allowed in alaman baige.
Traditionally, alaman baige was ridden by light teenage riders, and in kunan baige children once rode even without a saddle. Today a young rider must always wear a helmet and a body protector.
Baiga is part of the World Nomad Games programme (kunan baige, alaman baige and top baige). Races are also held at weddings and other folk celebrations.
First, a rider must be confident at all gaits after lessons at a riding club or racing school. At the World Nomad Games, riders aged 8 and older may ride in kunan baige, but training should always be done with a helmet, a body protector and a coach nearby.
In the past, alaman baige was the main event of big festivals, and the race could be longer than 50 kilometres.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, astanatimes.com, advantour.com, oq.gov.kz