robertbonnett.com

In celebration of Hamid Karzai’s recent presidential election success (we won’t go into fraud, corruption, vote rigging, etc) and to honour his inauguration, a three day game of Buzkashi is currently underway in the country’s capital, Kabul.

Apparently going back to the days of Alexander the Great, Afghanistan’s national sport consists of two opposing teams of horse riders fighting over a headless goat. The goal being to drop it into a scoring circle after lugging it, preferably via the longest route possible so as to please the crowds, from a line of flags at the edge of the field. All this whilst running the gauntlet of opponents, who, using any and all means, attempt to snatch the corpse into their possession.

Despite Buzkashi translating as “goat dragging” a decapitated calf is often used instead. Tougher and heavier than a goat’s carcass the calf’s also has a stronger hide, particularly when soaked in water the night before a game. Useful to know, especially for those considering taking up the “sport” . . . .