Thousands turn out in Kabul to cheer on Afghanistan’s traditional buzkashi equestrian games

In a display of raw power and equestrian skill, riders from Afghanistan’s northern province of Sar-e-Pul dominated the national buzkashi championship final on Monday, defeating Badakhshan province 7-0 in front of thousands of spectators in Kabul.

The traditional Afghan sport, characterized by its intensity and minimal formal rules, drew massive crowds to the central Kabul playing field, with enthusiastic onlookers climbing trees and electricity pylons for better views of the action.

Buzkashi, which translates roughly as “goat pulling,” traditionally involved teams competing to score goals using a goat carcass. Modern competitions have evolved to use a leather-and-rope substitute weighted to simulate a carcass, though the fundamental skills and physical demands remain unchanged.

Players demonstrate remarkable horsemanship during matches, hanging precariously from their saddles at seemingly impossible angles as they swoop down to grab the “ball” before galloping toward the goal, all while navigating through a chaotic scrum of other riders and horses.

The championship marked the culmination of an 11-day national tournament featuring 11 provincial teams. Baghlan province secured third place, with Kunduz taking fourth. The competition has grown in stature to attract international participation, with eight players from neighboring Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan joining various teams, according to Atal Mashwani, spokesman for Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports.

Corporate sponsorship has elevated the profile and prizes of the tournament. A gasoline company provided funding, with substantial rewards for top-performing teams – including a car for each of the four semifinalists, along with cups, medals, and certificates.

The championship represents a striking continuity of cultural tradition despite Afghanistan’s political turmoil. During their first period of rule in the late 1990s, the Taliban banned buzkashi along with many other forms of entertainment and sport. However, since retaking control in 2021, the current Taliban administration has permitted the competitions to continue, with government officials even attending matches.

This selective allowance of traditional sporting events stands in stark contrast to the regime’s broader restrictions on entertainment and public gatherings. The tournament highlights the complex relationship between Afghanistan’s cultural heritage and its current governance.

The spectacle remains exclusively male-dominated – both in participation and viewership. Under current restrictions imposed by Taliban authorities, women and girls are prohibited from attending as spectators. Even before these formal restrictions, cultural norms in Afghanistan’s conservative society generally discouraged female attendance at such events.

Buzkashi’s enduring popularity reflects its deep roots in Afghan culture, particularly in the country’s northern regions. The sport evolved among Central Asian nomadic peoples and has historical connections to warfare skills, where horsemen would need to retrieve fallen comrades or targets while maintaining control of their mounts at high speed.

Beyond simple competition, buzkashi tournaments serve as important social gatherings that strengthen community bonds and regional identities in a country often divided along ethnic and geographical lines. Provincial pride runs deep in these competitions, with winning teams celebrated as heroes upon returning to their home regions.

As Afghanistan continues navigating its complex political landscape, traditional cultural events like the buzkashi championship represent rare moments of continuity and collective celebration, connecting contemporary Afghan society to centuries of cultural heritage despite the many challenges facing the nation.