Kyz Kuu literally means “girl chasing”, and is a traditional sport played by Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. I can’t say I’ve ever played it myself, but I’m quite keen to give it a whirl. (If any of you readers have got a couple of spare horses, a whip, a field and a few spare hours do let me know, I think it might be a good way to quash some of my daily stress and besides the traditional Kazakh outfits look fabulous.)
A Chabysh of Sorts…
Kyz Kuu is played by one girl and one guy, each on a horse and garbed in traditional dress. This sport has certainly got a distinct touch of “at chabysh” (horse racing) but the objective isn’t to win a rosette or a trophy. The aim of the game is to be awarded a kiss, hence the fact that Kyz Kuu is often referred to as The Kazakh Kissing Game.
Thinking of Trying This at Home?
Kyz Kuu goes like this: Guys, get on your horse and wait at the starting line. Girls, get on your and start galloping from a set distance behind your guy. When girl passes guy, guy can start galloping, and the two of you can hurtle full pelt towards the finish line. If he catches up, he can reach out to steal a kiss, which counts for his victory.
Fair Play…
Now, sometimes the best of intentions don’t go according to plan so if the guy hasn’t caught up by the time they reach the line, the girl can turn on her heel and chase him back to the finish. If she is within striking range of the young man (here comes my favourite bit) she can use her whip to beat him, which constitutes her victory.
If only life were so simple…
“A girl has 40 souls or lives” – Kazakh proverb
