Charlie Birch: Kok Boru

In the summer of 2023 Charlie traveled to the village of Cholpon Ata in Krygistan and captured a moment in history: one of the last major Kok Boru tournaments where the traditional goat carcass was to be used.

Kok Boru translates to “blue wolf” in Kyrgyz, and refers to a horseback sport played across much of Central Asia, where players compete in teams of up to 12, to grab a headless goat carcass and throw it into a donut shaped goal.

However, as globalisation and modernisation creep into traditional ways of life, the game of kok boru is being forced to adapt. While it continues to draw large crowds, in some places controversy over the ethics of animal use have seen the traditional bloody goat carcass replaced with synthetic balls. This change, sparking controversy among locals, marks a significant shift in the sport.

Title: Kok Boru

Publisher: Zone 6 Press, 2025

Photographer: Charlie Birch

Essay: John Sunyer
Screenprint cover: Vary Lab
Drone footage: Suyunbek Turdobekov

Format: Softcover

Size: 230 x 160 mm, 68 Pages