Buzkashi is the favorite sport of the gallant horse riders of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan. This is the national sport of Afghanistan in which the players undergo tremendous practice and exercise to play this valiant game. Like Polo, Buzkashi is also played on horseback and it is thought that Buzkashi was played for the first time in the Oxus basin. A participating horse in Buzkashi must fast and furious. There are two types of horses that are deemed ideal for Buzkashi. The “Qataghan” is a sturdy pony which is famous for being a strong and gusty nature. The other species is larger and is raised in the steppes of Faryab and Balkh. Both breeds are used in Buzkashi. Only male stud horses are used in the game.

Buzkashi: The National Sport of Afghanistan ( United Nations Photo )

Buzkashi is the sport of warriors and the traditional Buzkashi may last for several days. However, according to the Afghan Olympic Federation, the match of Buzkashi is restrained to one and half hour. The play ground with a square layout is selected for Buzkashi and each team consists of 10 riders each. The match consists of two halves and the duration of each half is 45 minutes. Only five riders from each team can play in a half and with the permission of the match referee a rider can be substituted during the game. The rider (or team) who is able to pitch a dead calf across a goal line first wins. The carcass to be used in Buzkashi is gutted and soaked in water 24 hours before the game starts. This is done so the carcass stays together and won’t be torn to pieces.

An Exquisite Snapshot of a Buzkashi Player ( Courtesy: flickr )

The goal of a player is to grab the carcass of a headless goat or calf and then get it clear of the other players and pitch it across a goal line or into a target circle or vat. The kit of the Buzkashi player includes thick turbans, quilted shirts, long boots and wind strong scarves around their waists. The horses which are used for Buzkashi are pretty expensive and they have to go through many hardships and tough trainings. They are fed with special diet including edible grains but before the day of the match the horses are kept hungry for a longer portion of a day and run daily for longer distances. Normally the Buzkashi player is called Chapandaz who also practice very hard for this game and an expert Chapandaz is normally a player of the age of more than forty years. Because the experience is also considered the most important feature of an excellent Chapandaz along with his anomalous physical trainings.

The traditional Buzkashi ( Image : Pouria Lotfi )

The winning team of the Buzkashi match is awarded with heavy money prizes along with fine turbans and traditional clothes. These all are managed by a sponsor or sometimes fundraising is also arranged by the lovers of this game. Buzkashi, the sport of warriors runs in the blood of the Afghan people and they love this traditional sport passionately. Perhaps this is one of the very few sports of the world in which power, danger, genius and technique are equally exhibited.

The Massai people having an estimated population of 900,000 dwelling in Kenya and the northern parts of Tanzania are considered to be the most well known ethnic group of Africa. They are so unique in their traditions, customs and dressings and known as Nilotic ethnic group. Despite of the numerous efforts of the governments of Kenya and Tanzania to change their perambulatory life styles, they are continuing their ancient customs. They are distinguished in the world for their horrific warrior characteristic and cattle desperados.

Dance of Massai Warriors

The Massai are monotheistic, and they worship Enkai or Engai. Acceding to their beliefs Engai is a single deity of twofold dispositions.  Engai Narok (Black God) is beneficent, and Engai Nanyokie (Red God) is of retaliating nature. The “Mountain of God”, Ol Doinyo Lengai, is situated in northernmost Tanzania. The Massai are also prominent in all ethnic groups of the world for their byzantine jewelry. The clothing of Massai is also idiosyncratic and it is known as Matavuvale.

The most respectable Massai is considered due to his number of his children and cattle in his herd. This is also the basic source of their economy. They have the strong beliefs that God blessed them with all the cattle in the world and to rob the cattle from the other tribes is their invulnerable right. There is no typical burial tradition of a dead Massai and they keep the dead body open for vultures in an open space after covering it with the fat and blood of a slaughtered bull.

Another distinctive feature of Massai people is their music and traditional jumping dances. The whole show is displayed by vocalists singing together but the main melodies are sung by a song leader.  The lyrics of such song carry typical theme and they also move their necks while singing and it is having a huge polyphonic impression.

The Massai also have the custom of modifying their bodies. Specially the piercing of earlobes is very common among them. To do this they use different tools including thorns for piercing, twigs, bundles of twigs, stones, the cross section of elephant tusks and empty film canisters. The Massai women use chaplets and beaded necklaces in their pierced ears. The head shaving of Massai is also an inherent practice before entering into a marital relationship. Apart from warrior community of Massai who keep longer hair for their recognition the normal Massai keep very short hair.