The specific rules, skills and techniques of Chovqan are transmitted from experienced players to beginners through collective training. Chovqan strengthens feelings of identity rooted in nomadic culture and linked to the perception of the horse as an integral part of everyday life. People of all ages come to watch this traditional game and to support their teams.

They traditionally wear large astrakhan hats, long tight-fitting coats with a high waist, and special trousers, socks and shoes. Chovqan players and trainers are all local male farmers and skilled riders. The game is interspersed with instrumental folk music called janghi. The game starts at the centre of the field and players use wooden mallets to try to drive a small leather or wooden ball into their opponents’ goal.

Each team has five riders, with two fullbacks and three forwards. Guliyev/Ministry of Culture and TourismĬhovqan is a traditional horse-riding game played on a flat, grassy field by two competing teams of players mounted on Karabakh horses.

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