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Centuries-Old Sport Comes to Life in Rural Afghanistan

Buzkashi is a centuries-old game where two opposing teams of horsemen compete to throw a goat carcass into a scoring circle.
Image: AFGHANISTAN-SPORTS-BUZKASHI
Afghan horsemen and spectators gather on an arid patch of land near snow-capped mountains to play the traditional sport of Buzkashi near Bamiyan city in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan on March 23, 2014. Buzkashi is a centuries-old game where two opposing teams of horsemen compete to throw a goat carcass into a scoring circle. Bamiyan province, known for its vast Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, is attempting to revive its tourism heyday in the 1960s when visitors thronged to its mountains, lakes and impressive historical and archaeological heritage. Since the fall of the Taliban, the province has been one of Afghanistan's most tranquil areas despite being surrounded by restive neighboring provinces. AFP PHOTO/Kamran SHEFAYEEKAMRAN SHEFAYEE/AFP/Getty ImagesKAMRAN SHEFAYEE / AFP - Getty Images

Afghan horsemen and spectators gather on an arid patch of land near snow-capped mountains to play the traditional sport of Buzkashi near Bamiyan city in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan on Sunday. Buzkashi is a centuries-old game where two opposing teams of horsemen compete to throw a goat carcass into a scoring circle.

Bamiyan province, known for its vast Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, is attempting to revive its tourism heyday in the 1960s when visitors thronged to its mountains, lakes and impressive historical and archaeological heritage. Since the fall of the Taliban, the province has been one of Afghanistan's most tranquil areas despite being surrounded by restive neighboring provinces.

Image: An Afghan horseman looks on during a game of Buzkashi near Bamiyan city in central Afghanistan on March 23, 2014.
An Afghan horseman looks on during a game of Buzkashi near Bamiyan city in central Afghanistan on March 23, 2014.KAMRAN SHEFAYEE / AFP - Getty Images
Image: AFGHANISTAN-SPORTS-BUZKASHI
Afghan horsemen struggle to control a headless goat carcass during a game of Buzkashi near Bamiyan city on March 23, 2014.KAMRAN SHEFAYEE / AFP - Getty Images

— AFP - Getty Images