An Exciting Game.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 278, 4 November 1902, Page 4

An Exciting Game.

i The following description of a favourite Turcoman game is from the journal of a French traveller ; who some time ago visited that | little known country of Western : Asia. He says : I “As we approached the outskirts lof the cultivated territory we perceived a large assembly of horsemen. A wealthy man, it appeared. was celebrating the birth of a son, and had invited all the neighbourhood to a ‘ toraacha.’ A. ‘ tomacha,’ the name given in Central Asia to every kind of festivity, is always accompanied by the national ‘ baiga ’ (kid match). I sent to ask if I might be allowed to join in the rejoicings, and in answer the host came in person to welcome me. This was the first opportunity I had of seeing the Turcoman on horseback, and I confess to never having seen horses better ridden.

“ The ground was very uneven and broken with small sandhills and wide ditches, the remains of some ancient irrigation works. A hundred horsemen took part in the sport, mounted on steeds of every description, among which the Turcoman horse was pre-eminent. “In my honour the dead kid, with its legs cut off at the first joint, was thrown down at my feet. The instant it touched the ground the riders one and all dashed to the spot and a general scrimmage ensued. The horsemen hustled and jostled each other. Those nearest the kid bent low in their saddles so as to touch the ground with their hands, each trying to get possession of the animal. At last an active youth succeeded in seizing it, but only to have it snatched from him by another. Then a third got hold of it and galloped off, carrying the kid by its hind legs. The whole party set off in pursuit, overtook him, and after a fierce struggle the animal again changed hands.

“The horsemen ride in a sort of circle round the host, or piincipal person present, and he who succeeds in throwing the kid in front of this personage wins the game.”