National Altai holiday El-Oiyn -"national games, national celebration" - sprang up at the end of 1980s in a wave of the revival of national culture as a direct heir of the meetings of ancient Altai tribes. Absorbed the best elements of ancient national traditions the El-Oiyn is a young holiday at the same time, that meets modern conception about a national festival.
Altai Republic. Revival of ancient traditions
Initially the El-Oiyn was intended not only as a peculiar local "Olympic games", a championship for national sport games, but as a national festival that contributes to revival of cultural-historic traditions.
The first El-Oiyn took its place in 1988 near a village Elo of Omgudai region, and it included such national sport games as "kuresh" (sash wrestling), "shatra" (national Altai checkers), "kodurger tash" (rock lifting), archery, equestrian sport, theatrical show, and performance of national singing and dancing bands.
About Altai Republic history and ethic history you can read on
Altai Republic's official website 
National sports in the Altai Republic
Signed by: