The World Nomad Games are comparable to the Olympics, only there's more fire, more stuffed goats and more sports on horseback. The games celebrate the nomadic heritage of Central Asian nations, and this year, 40 countries participated, including the U.S. Having a nomadic history is not a requirement for participation.

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This year's games, the second of its kind, took place on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan, from September 3 through September 8. Similar to the Olympics, a flamboyant opening ceremony kicked off the games. 

(MORE: The Cowboys of the Cold: Mongolian Horse Riders)

Athletes perform nomadic sports in their original form, referred to as "ethnosports." The World Nomad Games aim "to show the world the greatness of nomadic civilization" and "to show the world values of peace, culture and life of each ethnic group of the nomadic world."

One of the most popular and most contested sport involves horsemen fighting over a goat carcass, with the ultimate goal of running it, like a football, to the endzone. Another traditional game is hunting foxes with a golden eagle counterpart. Other, less gruesome games include traditional archery, martial arts, wrestling on horseback and javelin throwing.

(MORE: Inside the World of Mongolia's Golden Eagle Hunters)

"If Genghis Khan were alive, he'd want to be here," the announcer boomed, according to The Guardian. 

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