The history of Buzkashi:
The history of Buzkashi dates back to ancient times and the name of this sport means killing goats, which is taken from the hunting of mountain goats by horse heroes.
The history of Buzkashi dates back to ancient times and the name of this sport means killing goats, which is taken from the hunting of mountain goats by horse heroes.
Buzkashi began among the nomadic Asian tribes who came from farther north and east spreading westward from China and Mongolia between the 10th and 15th centuries in a centuries-long series of migrations that ended only in the 1930s. From Scythian times until recent decades, buzkashi has remained a legacy of that bygone era.
During the first rule of the Taliban regime, buzkashi was banned in Afghanistan, as the Taliban considered the game immoral. After the Taliban regime was ousted in 2001, the game resumed being played
Rules and how to play Buzkashi:
1.The ground has a square layout with each sidelong.
2.Each team consists of 10 riders.
3.Only five riders from each team can play in a half.
4.The total duration of each half is 45 minutes.
5.There is only one 15 minute break between the two halves.
6.The game is supervised by a referee.
7.
Buzkashi is one of the local sports in Afghanistan in this sport, two teams face each other, each team having ten riders And then throw the already killed goat in a white circle so that a team can catch it.Then the other team tries to take the goat from the opponent, any team that completes a full round around the Buzkashi field And then bring the goat in the white circle will be the winner
A buzkashi player is called a Chapandaz; it is mainly believed in Afghanistan that a skilful Chapandaz is usually in his forties. This is based on the fact that the nature of the game requires its player to undergo severe physical practice and observation. Similarly, horses used in buzkashi also undergo severe training and due attention. A player does not necessarily own the horse. Horses are usually owned by landlords and highly rich people wealthy enough to look after and provide training facilities for such horses. However, a master Chapandaz can choose to select any horse and the owner of the horse usually wants his horse to be ridden by a master Chapandaz as a winning horse also brings pride to the owner.
The game consists of two main forms: Tudabarai and Qarajai. Tudabarai is considered to be the simpler form of the game. In this version, the goal is simply to grab the goat and move in any direction until clear of the other players. In Qarajai, players must carry the carcass around a flag or marker at one end of the field, then throw it into a scoring circle (the "Circle of Justice") at the other end. The riders will carry a whip to fend off opposing horses and riders. When not in use - e.g. because the rider needs both hands to steer the horse and secure the carcass - the whip is typically carried in the teeth.
The calf in a buzkashi game is normally beheaded and disembowelled and has 2 limbs cut off. It is then soaked in cold water for 24 hours before play to toughen it. Occasionally sand is packed into the carcass to give it extra weight.
Though a goat is used when no calf is available, a calf is less likely to disintegrate during the game. While players may not strap the calf to their bodies or saddles, it is acceptable - and common practice - to wedge the calf under one leg in order to free up the hands
Buzkashi
Sayed Habib Bidell
Photographer
Buzkashi is one of the traditional sports of Afghanistan
