‘Spanish’ Fervors in Uloq Game

Corrida, the national Spanish ardor, is incredibly popular in masses. It always brings thousands people together causing ebullition of fervors. Uzbeks have their own popular equestrian sports game called Uloq. The group of Spanish tourists was enraptured with the thrilling sight. Let us share with a story by one of impressionable Spanish tourists recorded by our correspondent.

“Our introduction into customs and traditions of the Uzbek people started from a village in Farg’ona neighborhood. By happy coincidence we happened to witness an incredible sight that impressed us indelibly. An exciting action unfolded on the spacious field. Having a strong coherence with horses, equestrians rushed for one of players torrentially or surrounded him turning into a live twisting tangle, reminiscent of tornado, and tried to capture a goat carcass. The growing heat of the players’ struggle echoed with the storm of supporters’ emotions. The tense and impetuous game captured us and we started active supporting of the team we liked. It is hard to describe our emotions right now: excitement, rapture, ardor, tension, delight from watching our team leading and despair from seeing it loosing. We didn’t understand completely the idea of the game, but decided to find that out later as we were thrilled with emotions.

Later on, we were told that Uloq is prevailing and popular kind of equestrian sports among Central Asian nations. Each nation calls it in its way, but its idea is the same in spite of some differences. Along with the name Uloq, Uzbeks also call it as “kupkari”, which means “business of many people” in a literal sense.

The game aims at grabbing a goat carcass from the rivals and be the first who brings it to the winning post. The luck comes to quick witted, deft and saddlefast strongmen coherent with a horse. Uloq competitions ate timed to big national festivities – Navro’z or harvest festival, though they can be organized on family occasions: weddings or birth of a heir.

The dressing is also traditional. As a rule, an equestrian wears a free chopon of a thick cloth, free and thick cotton trousers. He puts on a papakha, though leather helmets gain preference. Legs are wrapped in thick cloth to avoid an injury, and broad-top boots are worn. Boots should have a thick sole for secure hold in the stirrup.

A horse outfit makes high demands. Bridles do not admit any metal decorations to avoid players’ injury, stirrup should be smooth. Calks in horseshoes are not allowed. According to the rules of the game, two winning posts – marra – are located one and a half kilometers away from each other. Big prizes are intended for the upper post, and smaller prizes for the lower post. Marra is a circle ground 20 meters in diameter. It is marked with scattered straws or laid with stones. An equestrian should throw a goat carcass into the circle. The winner is a participant whose hand throws a trophy into the circle. He is awarded a valuable prize.

It is impossible to watch the game staying indifferent. Though we happened to be outside observers, out feelings and emotions do not yield to emotional ardor of players.”

The rapid revival of this folk game, as well as many other national traditions, started with gaining independence. Foreign enthusiasts of this equestrian competition founded an International Sports Federation in certain countries, adopted new rules and started holding competitions. The federation currently unites athletes from thirty states. It included representatives of China, Pakistan, Turkey and even France along with the equestrian sports amateurs from Central’s Asian countries. International regulations envisage the conduction of competitions for Friendship Cup and unofficial matches between national teams. The selection of the top equestrians and horses is assigned a big part in those competitions.