Every year, between November and April, when the temperature is chilly, the Buzkashi season opens in Tajikistan. Buzkashi — from the Persian words goat (“buz”) and drag (“kashi '') — has been played in Central Asia for centuries and involves horse riders — chapandaz — dragging a dead goat around markers across a huge field surrounded by hills. Every weekend, multiple events take place all over this mountainous country, offering surprising entertainment.
Buzkashi, the most popular Tajik game.
Series, 2nd place
In early November, one of the first big buzkashi tournaments is taking place near the cement factory in the outskirts of Dushanbe. On this field, ideal for buzkashi, dozens of horse riders gather, hoping to win one of the money prizes.
A crowd of a hundred people also gathers in the sloping valley, where they sit comfortably and watch a couple of hours of horse racing.
Mamad Ali, and his horse, are taking a rest after hours of exhausting games which took place on a huge field 4 kms outside Dushanbe, near a cement factory. He works during the week in a botanical garden, where he offers horse tours to local tourists.
A chapandaz (horse rider) is getting ready to enter the game. As buzkashi is a dangerous sport, he is protecting himself with an old Soviet-style tank helmet, and reinforced boots and gloves.
Horse riders are fighting to drag the carcass of the dead goat. Reminiscent of a scrum in rugby, the person who finally succeeds in dragging the carcass will try to drop it between the markers.
Наездники пытаются ухватить тушу козла
Наездники пытаются ухватить тушу козла
One of the rare women horse riders is taking a breath after an intense game. This sport is traditionally played by men but women are starting to get involved.
Some spectators are enjoying osh, a traditional meal from Tajikistan (called plov in Uzbekistan), while watching the ongoing game down in the valley.
One horse rider is forcing his horse to stop after he almost hurt the crowd which was quietly watching the buzkashi game on the slope.
Dozens of horse riders are trying to drag the dead goat from the ground. This moment, which is like a rugby scrum, is the most impressive of the game.
One chapandaz is about to cross the two markers, made of tires, and drop the carcass. Then he can expect a prize, starting from 10 somonis (1 USD).