4597) "VI World Nomad Games" to be held in Bishkek and Cholptan in 2026, (Kyrgyz: Дүйнөлүк көчмөндөр оюндары) Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Pochtasy has issued a set of Postage stamps featuring the Nomad Games: Date/Year of stamps issue: 25.06.2026:
This philatelic issue is dedicated to the major cultural and sporting event — the VI World Nomad Games, which will be held in Kyrgyzstan in 2026.
About World Nomad Games:
World Nomad Games (Kyrgyz: Дүйнөлүк көчмөндөр оюндары) are an international sport competition dedicated to ethnic sports practiced in Central Asia.
The first three World Nomad Games were held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. The fourth games were held in Iznik, Turkey between September 29 and October 2, 2022.
More than 3000 athletes from 102 countries participated in the events.
The fifth games were held in Astana, Kazakhstan and attracted more than 2500 athletes from 89 countries while also having 5 billion Kazakhstani tenge spent on them.
Evolution:
Its creator, philanthropist Askhat Akibaev, worked as the head of many Kyrgyz sports federations. Because of his work, he often participated in sporting events that promoted the culture of specific countries such as Japan and Mongolia.
It was then that he began to envision a festival that would focus on the history of Kyrgyzstan.
However, realising that showcasing Kyrgyz culture alone might not be sufficiently appealing, Askhat Akibaev decided to incorporate the traditions of nomadic peoples from various corners of the world into the festival, which was slowly taking shape.
"We don't want the games to be just about Kyrgyzstan, but to serve as an opportunity for other nomadic cultures and small communities to showcase their ethnic traditions and sports."
This motto gave rise to the World Nomad Games, the Olympics for Nomadic Peoples, which has brought together more than 70 countries biennially since 2014 to compete in 37 sports with nomadic traditions.
The person who launched and supported the World Nomad Games in 2014 at the highest state level is the President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev.
Atambayev supported it in order to preserve and popularise the nomadic traditions of Central Asia.
The World Nomad Games have become a platform for demonstrating the cultural heritage, sports skills and traditional sports of nomadic nations, promoting the strengthening of cultural ties and mutual understanding between the peoples of different countries.
Atambayev personally led the Kyrgyz national team on the opening ceremony of the first World Nomad Games in 2014 and 2016 in order to popularize the event.
Sports and disciplines:
Alysh (Kyrgyz: Алыш), a kind of belt wrestling
Salburun (Kyrgyz: Салбурун), a sport mixing falconry, mounted archery and hunt assisted by Taigan
Shagai, Horse racing (At Chabysh), (Kyrgyz: Ат чабыш)
Er enish, (Kyrgyz: Эр эңиш)
Toguz korgool, (Kyrgyz: Тогуз коргоол)
Kourach Kok-boru, a sport similar to Buzkashi, where riders fight for a goat carcass. (Kyrgyz: Көк бөрү); also called Kokpar in Kazakhstan.
Mangala, a Turkish Mancala game, as well as other national variants
Ordo, traditional game from Kyrgyzstan, throwing bones
Countrues in which the Games have been held so far:
No. Year Host country Host
city Sports
1 2014 Kyrgyzstan Cholpon-Ata 10 + 4
2 2016 Kyrgyzstan Cholpon-Ata 23
3 2018 Kyrgyzstan Cholpon-Ata 37
4 2022 Turkey Iznik 12 + 11
5 2024 Kazakhstan Astana 20
6 2026 Kyrgyzstan TBD TBD
The Stamp issue with more details about the Games included in this issue:
These Miniature Sheets/Souvenir Sheets/Stamps are dedicated to the VI World Nomad Games to be held in 2026 in Bishkek and Colptan-Ata, Kyrgyzstan
Salburun:
The Miniature Sheet (MS) presented consists of six identical stamps dedicated to the VI World Nomad Games, which will be held in Bishkek in 2026.
The central theme of the miniature is the traditional nomadic hunting practice with birds of prey — salburun.
The Stamp (S) features a close-up profile of a girl wearing traditional Kyrgyz jewelry (large silver earrings and a necklace) and a headband decorated with a national ornament.
Opposite her is a bird of prey wearing a special hunting hood (tomogo). The inscription “SALBURUN” is placed vertically on the left side.
The background is elegantly decorated with subtle national patterns and the official logo of the Games.
The light-coloured margins of the sheet contain the name of the event in Kyrgyz and English, the official logos of the Games, and a QR code located in the lower left corner.
ER ENISH:
The Miniature Sheet (MS) presented consists of six stamps issued in honour of the VI World Nomad Games, which will take place in Bishkek in 2026.
The main motif of each Stamp (S) is the dynamic moment of the traditional nomadic horseback wrestling competition — Er Enish.
The miniatures depict two powerful wrestlers with bare torsos (wearing red and blue headgear) engaged in a strength contest on horseback.
The name of the sport discipline, “ER ENISH” is placed vertically on the right side.
The composition is complemented by a dark background featuring traditional Kyrgyz ornamental patterns and the official emblem of the Games.
The light-coloured margins of the miniature sheet contain the name of the event in Kyrgyz and English, while a modern QR code is placed in the lower left corner.
KOK-BORU:
The Miniature Sheet (MS) presented consists of six identical stamps issued in honor of the World Nomad Games, which will be held in Bishkek in 2026.
The central theme of each Miniature Sheet (MS) is a dynamic scene from the traditional Kyrgyz equestrian game kok-boru, conveying the intensity and spirit of the sporting competition.
The Stamp (S) features a close-up image of a rider on a grey horse, wearing sports attire incorporating elements of the national flag, with the inscription “KOK-BORU” placed vertically on the right side.
The background is decorated with stylized Kyrgyz national ornamental patterns and the official emblem of the Games.
The margins of the Miniature Sheet (MS) feature the name of the event in Kyrgyz and English, official logos, as well as a QR code in the lower left corner providing quick access to digital information.
At the centre of the sheet, the postage stamp depicts a horseman wearing the traditional Kyrgyz headdress (kalpak), riding a horse with a golden eagle perched on his arm and a bow slung across his back.
In the background, a yurt and elements of the traditional nomadic way of life are depicted.
The stamp features the official logo of the World Nomad Games, as well as the inscriptions “Bishkek – Cholpon-Ata” and “Kyrgyz Pochtasy 2026.”
The side panels of the souvenir sheet are designed in dark brown and light beige tones.
They display the name of the event in Kyrgyz and English, the official logo and mascot of the Games (a stylised snow leopard), as well as a QR code located in the lower left corner.
Souvenir Sheet Design:
The frame is designed in elegant dark brown tones with a subtle background of traditional Kyrgyz ornamental patterns. The margins feature the official logo and mascot of the Games (a snow leopard), text elements in Kyrgyz and English, as well as an interactive QR code located in the lower left corner.
The composition highlights the ancient art of hunting with birds of prey. In the foreground, a majestic berkutchi (golden eagle hunter) is depicted wearing traditional national attire and the iconic white kalpak. The background features an atmospheric scene of traditional equestrian competitions, conveying the unbreakable spirit of nomadic culture.
Technical details:
Issue Date:25.06.2025
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