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KABUL: The announcer roared on the public address system as a driver alone separated from another horse and passed with a limestone circle drawn in the middle of muddy land in the Afghan capital.
Although pursued by what seems to be a cavalry accusation, the driver throws away the “gift” in the circle and raises the victory arm.
Kandahar led against Kunduz in the Grand Final Sunday of the Afghan National Buzkashi Championship.
Banned “immoral” when the Taliban first ruled from 1996 to 2001, the hardline Islamist had embraced Buzkashi since returning to power in August, and the winning team came from their hearts even though they did not have the actual sports tradition.
Unfortunately, Buzkashi was not previously allowed before and was only played in the province where the Taliban did not rule, “Qais Hassan, the owner of the Kandahar team who won, told AFP.
Today, fortunately, Buzkashi is not only played throughout Afghanistan, but the government, the Emirates of Islam, regulates this competition.”
This spectacular sport is spectacular and cruel – very similar to the country, many Afghans quickly tell you – and sink into history.
Two teams with six side horsemen battle side for ownership, traditionally, carcass cutting animals – Buzkashi means.
It has been played for centuries in Central Asia, with a little variation from one country to country.
These days 30 kilograms (15-pounds) stuffed skin dolls resembling a carcass used instead of real things, but the skills needed to compete remain the same.
Horses and motorists can be replaced from 12 on each side – a must due to general injury, although most motorists ignore them after short treatments.
Mountain fends hard with each other, raising and throwing their nails into the mixture. Riders attack the wings of their scales – and often their opponents too.
