Buzkashi enthrals Quetta residents
This photograph taken on January 27, 2017, Pakistani horsemen prepare to compete for a cattle carcass during a game of the traditional sport of Buzkashi in snow covered Chapursan village of Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan. In a remote northern Pakistani valley surrounded by giant ice-capped peaks, villagers gather to watch a game of Buzkashi, an ancient equestrian sport once seen as a key test of virility that is now struggling for survival. PHOTO: AFP
A friendly Buzkashi match between Kuchlak and Quetta pulled crowds, cheering in amusement and joy, as several men, firmly seated in their saddles, fiercely wrestled to get their hands on a headless goat on a pleasant evening in the provincial capital.
Their beautiful steeds were especially groomed for this “hand to hand” combat.
Like the mounted cavalry of an ancient army, they made a dash to the goat lying dead in a circle and almost ended up elbowing each other for some time.
Thousands turned out to watch the ancient and traditional Afghan and Central Asian game held at the hockey ground.
The spectators chanted slogans to encourage and support their teams. “For this game, you have to be brave and healthy,” Jamaluddin Pehlawan, a Buzkashi player, sitting on the back of a horse, told The Express Tribune.
Buzkashi is a dangerous game played with a goat carcass. The game involves dragging the dead goat to a specific place by players on horseback to score a point.
“This game needs strength and bravery”, Mehboob Shah, another player noted.
“Horses have to be healthy and young to secure victory in the game.”
The match was organised by Balochistan Sports Department.
“The government should encourage our players”, Sahibzada Rafiuddin, the joint secretary of the Buzkashi Association Balochistan said.
“For Buzkashi, you have to be bold and energetic and a good rider at the same time. Your horse should also be properly trained,” Rafiuddin said, adding that sometimes players suffer injuries after falling from horses.
Most of the Buzkashi players are Uzbek Afghan nationals living on the outskirts of Quetta. The game, involving 10 players in each team, has become popular in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.
“We want to spread this game across Pakistan,” Pehlawan vowed.
Meanwhile, stringent security measures were adopted on the occasion. Quetta claimed victory in the match.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 14th, 2022.