Kyz Kuu

Kyz kuu or kyz kuumal (in Kyrgyz “girl chasing”) is a popular traditional Kyrgyz and Kazakh sport. It is often called a “kissing game”. It includes two riders – a female one and a male one. The rules are quite simple. Male rider stands at the starting line. At certain distance behind him there is a female rider. She starts to ride at full speed. He starts to ride as soon as the girl reaches him. They then race towards the finishing line.

If the male rider reaches the finishing line first he has the right to kiss the girl. That's his sign of victory. If the female rider come first to the finishing line she then turns around and starts riding towards the starting line. While riding she tries to come closer to the male rider and beat him with a whip she's holding. This marks her victory.