Buzkashi, the sport that uses dead goats as the ball, a breakdown

Buzkashi, the sport that uses dead goats as the ball, a breakdown

Buzkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, is a thrilling and intense equestrian game.

Players, mounted on horseback, compete to grab a headless goat carcass (the "buz") and carry it to a designated goal.

The game, often chaotic and fiercely competitive, demands exceptional riding skills, strength, and strategy.

Teams, sometimes consisting of dozens of riders called chapandaz, battle in sprawling, rugged fields.

Buzkashi, deeply rooted in Central Asian nomadic culture, symbolizes bravery, teamwork, and the warrior spirit.

Despite its rough nature, it is a revered tradition, bringing communities together in a spirited display of skill and endurance.