Afghanistan’s national sport. Extremely rough and dangerous game where men on horseback try to pitch a dead calf accross the goal line. I love watching footage of this ancient game, which is know to have been derived from hunting mountain goats on horseback as well as being utilized as a method to keep armies in good shape and ready for combat. Does anyone know the true origins of this sport? How far back does it go?
BUZKASHI: Buzkashi is considered the national game of Pashtoons. Already, Afghanistan counts it as the national game. But although It used to be a game played by all Pashtoons, nowadays it is played mostly by those living in Afghanistan.
This game requires brilliant horsemanship and is played on the back of the horse. Only six horsemen in each team take part in this game. However because there are no head and fast rules, any number of horsemen can join in. There are cases in which hundreds of horsemen have joined in when a game gets warm. A long ground for the running horse is needed.
In the center of the ground a circle is drawn, where a lamb or male sheep is placed. On each side of the ground six circles are drawn on which each of the horsemen stand, six on one side and six on the other. As the game starts, both the teams rush towards the sheep and whoever picks the sheep first he tries to reach the other end of the ground. Whereas the opponent players try to snatch the sheep from him by beating, pushing, throwing him out of the horseback. It is a very difficult and dangerous game.
Master horsemanship is needed for it otherwise severe casualties can occur. The winner team proves his valor and horsemanship and is rewarded by the organizers.
The origins of the game are perhaps lost in history, but some believe it was invented as a defense against the hordes of Genghis Khan who were very adept at sweeping down on an Afghan village on horseback and grabbing precious sheep and goats and other pillage at a full gallop. Other historians claim that the game was played originally with the body of a dead prisoner of war.
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Polo came from Buzkashi.
According to one of the legends, the game was first played in the Oxus Basin by the Turkik people.
Horseriding is fun, and imagine buzkushi!! eeeyhaa..
but not very humane :(
kushi means killing. kush means kill.
what do they do with the lamb after the game has ended, do they eat it or just throw it away. perhaps the winner walks away with it.
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*Originally posted by homosapien: *
what do they do with the lamb after the game has ended, do they eat it or just throw it away. perhaps the winner walks away with it.
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Good question. I'm assuming the winner takes it.
they make a sajji outa it... or out of a fresh one.
I think.
i saw this in a movie... Khuda Gawah... hmmm
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*Originally posted by sadzzz: *
i saw this in a movie... Khuda Gawah... hmmm
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It was also in Rambo III :D