Thrills, spills at World Nomad Games

The first-ever World Nomad Games took place in Kyrgyzstan, September 9-14. In horse wrestling (pictured), two opponents try to pull each other off their mounts. Kyrgyzstan took home the gold medal in the event.

Demonstrations of eagle hunting were popular, with the huge birds of prey soaring close to spectators. Few true nomads exist today. Many spectators came from towns and cities to relive old ways in a display for older generations and curious young.

Stuntmen on horses reenacted battles. Some riders were set on fire for effect.

Kok boru was perhaps the most brutal -- and popular -- event. Two teams of men on horses attempt to send the carcass of a headless goat into their opponent's goal.

Host country Kyrgyzstan placed two teams in kok boru competition. Both met in the finals.

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan dominated the games. Kyrgyzstan won seven of the ten events. Kazakhstan won the rest.

Many spectators stayed in a temporary town with 150 yurts.

A U.S. Peace Corps volunteer plays toguz korgool, in which two players compete by counting and re-distributing stones into sockets on a board.

Kyrgyz food, music and fashion were a part of the concurrent Nomad Folk Festival.

Kyrgyz dressed in traditional attire and rode horses, reenacting the lives of nomadic people.

• The first World Nomad Games were held in Kyrgyzstan last week


• The six-day games showcased vanishing traditions and culture


• A temporary camp with 150 yurts was set up to host guests


• Kyrgyzstan dominated the games

Kyrgyzstan (CNN) -- Headless goats.

Soaring eagles.

Men trying to drag each other off of horses.

These were just some of the highlights of last week's first-ever World Nomad Games, held near the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Cholpon-Ata City, Kyrgyzstan.

About 400 athletes came from 19 countries -- mostly Central Asia, as well as Turkey, Mongolia and even Germany and the United States.

The games were sponsored by the Kyrgyzstan government.

A temporary camp with 150 yurts was set up in Kyrchyn Jailoo to host guests.

In addition to traditional competitions such as wrestling and kok boru (in which two teams of horsemen try to push a headless goat carcass into a goal), performances and folk games kept crowds active.

An official at the opening ceremony rang in the games by declaring: "All humans were originally nomads."

As nomadic peoples have become minorities in modern societies, the six-day games were organized to showcase vanishing traditions and culture.

"[Nomadic sports] are in no way inferior in staginess and popularity [to] the modern Olympics," says the games' official website.

"Games give powerful impetus to rebirth ... original national sports, spiritual self-awareness and historical memory of nomad nations of the world."

Photographer Jonny Duncan has been backpacking since 1997. He blogs on his own Backpackingman website.