{"id":13220,"date":"2024-10-20T22:39:19","date_gmt":"2024-10-20T21:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londonpost.news\/?p=13220"},"modified":"2024-10-20T22:40:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-20T21:40:24","slug":"reviving-the-spirit-of-the-steppe-kazakhstan-has-hosted-the-5th-world-nomad-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/news\/reviving-the-spirit-of-the-steppe-kazakhstan-has-hosted-the-5th-world-nomad-games\/2024\/10\/20\/admin1\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviving the spirit of the steppe: Kazakhstan has hosted the 5th World Nomad Games"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By Katsuhiro Asagiri<\/p>\n<p><strong>Astana\/Tokyo INPS Japan \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>In a vibrant display of culture and tradition, Kazakhstan recently hosted the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/worldnomadgames.kz\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5th World Nomad Games<\/a>\u00a0in Astana, celebrating the enduring spirit of nomadic heritage against a backdrop of modernity and globalization. This biennial event, which drew competitors and spectators from around the globe, served not only as a showcase of traditional sports but also as a poignant reminder of the resilience of a culture that faced near extinction under Soviet rule.<\/p>\n<p>The Games, held from 8 \u2013 13 September, featured a kaleidoscope of activities that harkened back to the lifestyles of the nomadic peoples who roamed the vast steppes of Central Asia. From horse wrestling to archery, each competition echoed the ancestral skills honed over centuries. Yet, for many participants and visitors, the significance of these games transcended mere athleticism. They embodied a reclamation of identity that was long suppressed.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"5th World Nomad Games Start | 8 September Astana Kazakhstan\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9JrIh8XCPFQ?start=21&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"9JrIh8XCPFQ\">During Joseph Stalin\u2019s collectivization policies in the 1930s, the nomadic lifestyle was effectively dismantled. Entire communities were uprooted as the Soviet regime sought to impose agricultural models on a population that had thrived as pastoralists. This brutal transformation led to the erosion of traditional practices and a devastating loss of life. The scars of this cultural genocide run deep, and for decades, the vibrant tapestry of nomadic culture was all but silenced.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13221\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13221\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13221 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-300x232.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-1024x791.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-768x594.jpg 768w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-150x116.jpg 150w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-696x538.jpg 696w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-1068x825.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-543x420.jpg 543w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh-600x464.jpg 600w, https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Kazakh.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13221\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stalin\u2019s policy of forced agricultural collectivization deprived the Kazakh people of their livestock, which had been their means of livelihood, and destroyed their nomadic culture. The resulting famine is estimated to have caused the deaths of 2.3 million people.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a turning point for Kazakhstan and other newly independent states. In the wake of independence, there has been a concerted effort to revive and celebrate nomadic traditions, transforming historical calamities into platforms for positive development. For Kazakhstan, this revival has become a central pillar of national identity, a way to reconnect with a rich history that predates colonial imposition.<\/p>\n<p>The World Nomad Games are emblematic of this cultural renaissance. Since their inception in 2014, the Games have attracted participants from over 80 countries, fostering a sense of camaraderie among those who share a nomadic heritage. \u201cThis is not just a competition; it\u2019s a celebration of our roots,\u201d said Madiyar Aiyp, a Kazakh IT entrepreneur and a former official of the Ministry of industry. \u201cWe are showing the world who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pope_addressing_interreligious_leaders-1.jpg\" alt=\"The 7th Congress of leaders of the World and Traditional Religions photo credit: Katsuuhiro Asagirio\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 7th Congress of leaders of the World and Traditional Religions photo credit: Katsuuhiro Asagirio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-wp-editing=\"1\">Kazakhstan\u2019s ability to transform its historical challenges into opportunities is evident not only in the revival of its nomadic culture but also in its multi-vector diplomacy. The country has hosted significant events like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/religions-congress.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions<\/a>, emphasizing its commitment to promoting dialogue and tolerance among its 130 ethnic groups. This diversity is rooted in a legacy of ethnic and political persecution under Stalin, yet a newly independent Kazakhstan guarantees equality for all citizens, regardless of their backgrounds.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/IMG_4273a.webp\" alt=\"Semipalatinsk former Nuclear test site. Photo Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri\" width=\"750\" height=\"467\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Semipalatinsk former Nuclear test site. Photo Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Kazakhstan\u2019s leadership extends beyond cultural diplomacy; it has also made strides in global disarmament. The Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, once the backdrop for 456 nuclear experiments conducted between 1949 and 1989, was closed by an independent Kazakhstan, which eliminated its entire nuclear arsenal. This bold move transformed the nation from the fourth largest nuclear power to a staunch advocate for a nuclear-free world. The closure of Semipalatinsk is recognized by the UN as a pivotal moment in the fight against nuclear testing.<\/p>\n<p>As the Games concluded, the atmosphere was one of celebration and pride, a testament to a culture that refused to be extinguished. The nomadic spirit, resilient and adaptable, is being woven back into the fabric of Kazakh identity. In Astana, as competitors took their final bows, it was clear that the past and present are intertwined, forging a future that honors both heritage and innovation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8240 lazy loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day.jpg 512w, https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day-150x106.jpg 150w\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"362\" data-src=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day.jpg 512w, https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/National-Unity-Day-150x106.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" data-was-processed=\"true\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">May 1 is the national unity day in Kazahstan. more than 130 ethnicities enjoy peace in Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Embassy of Kazakhstan in Singapore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kazakhstan stands as a model for turning historical calamities into platforms for positive change, advocating for peace and cooperation on the global stage. The World Nomad Games serve not only as a vibrant reminder of the importance of cultural roots but also as an affirmation that a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society can thrive through dialogue and understanding. In embracing its past, Kazakhstan is redefining its place in the world, proving that the nomadic way of life is not a relic of the past but a living, breathing part of its national identity and its aspirations for the future.<\/p>\n<p>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/news\/reviving-the-spirit-of-the-steppe-kazakhstan-has-hosted-the-5th-world-nomad-games\/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2TvlVlhnPZI_0CeuP_qKOLEhMUQI6rrnzvj1tqkzALphuLhoN_P_N8f8o_aem_ErlxywdwfTvU3c3ecLVRnw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/news\/reviving-the-spirit-of-the-steppe-kazakhstan-has-hosted-the-5th-world-nomad-games\/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2TvlVlhnPZI_0CeuP_qKOLEhMUQI6rrnzvj1tqkzALphuLhoN_P_N8f8o_aem_ErlxywdwfTvU3c3ecLVRnw<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Katsuhiro Asagiri Astana\/Tokyo INPS Japan \u2013\u00a0In a vibrant display of culture and tradition, Kazakhstan recently hosted the\u00a05th World Nomad Games\u00a0in Astana, celebrating the enduring spirit of nomadic heritage against a backdrop of modernity and globalization. This biennial event, which drew competitors and spectators from around the globe, served not only as a showcase of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":""},"categories":[779,2413],"tags":[289,322,5146,8326,8982,9082,9083,9084],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/nomade-games.jpg","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13220"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13220"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13220\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13222,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13220\/revisions\/13222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brusselsindependent.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}