Buzkashi ( Afghan National Game )

Buzkashi is one of Afghanistan's national sport which plays in group by riding at horses, it is popular and performs among central Asian people including Hazaras, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Turkmen and other tribes which still people do this sport in different parts of Afghanistan. This sport plays in traditional afghan style in different times such as in some areas the governors or other elder of the village or tribes' party days.

The method of playing of this game is that a group of horse riders competes with each others on controlling of a lately slaughtered Goat carcass or Calf. The horse riders during the race have to pick up the carcass of (Goat or Calf) from the ground and drop into the specific circle called (Daira-i-Hallal) in Afghanistan players called 'Chapandaz' normally they need to exercise for many years.

The carcass for use of the game normally is newly slaughtered goat, which its hand and leg will cut from knee part and held in cold water for 24 hours before the game to become stiff, sometimes 'Chapandaz' put stones inside carcass to make it heavier.
In big games some times several hundreds of horse riders (Chapandaz) compete in the same time. In Afghanistan mostly wealthier people such as (Khan, commanders and local governors) keep several strong and most expensive horses with strong players called 'Chapandaz' for performance.
It is very common that some times people gamble in such kind of games such as cock fighting, bird fighting, dog fighting, etc.


Announcer ride on horse ask people to make people far away from the Buzkashi ground and empty the play ground space.


Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are competing even near to the circle to take the carcass of goat to drop the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.


Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are competing to take the carcass of goat to the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.
Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are competing to take the carcass of goat from the ground.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are competing to get the carcass of goat

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are running toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are competing to take the carcass of goat from the ground.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are running toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' dropped the carcass of goat inside circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

one of Horse riders 'Chapandazs' run toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are running toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team, on the dusty ground of 'Chamani Hozori' in Kabul.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are running toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team, on the dusty ground of 'Chamani Hozori' in Kabul.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are running toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team, on the dusty ground of 'Chamani Hozori' in Kabul.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are running toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team, on the dusty ground of 'Chamani Hozori' in Kabul.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' run toward the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse rider 'Chapandazs' get ready back to take the carcass of goat after gaining of score by dropping it on the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse rider 'Chapandazs' get ready back to take the carcass of goat after gaining of score by dropping it on the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.
Horse rider 'Chapandazs' get ready back to take the carcass of goat after gaining of score by dropping it on the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse rider 'Chapandazs' get ready back to take the carcass of goat after gaining of score by dropping it on the circle (Daira-i-Hallal), where they gain score for their own team.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' ride on his horse.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' try to get near the carcass of goat holder.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' driven on to the audience location, which most of the time people get inside the ground for watching the game.( sometimes in such crowds most 'pick pocket' steal people's money, mobile, etc).

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' driven on to the audience location, People are escaping from the Horse riders 'Chapandazs' way ,most of the time people get inside the ground for watching the game despite of announcer call by loud speaker during the game to empty the ground space.People are escaping from the Horse riders 'Chapandazs' way ,most of the time people get inside the ground for watching the game despite of announcer call by loud speaker during the game to empty the ground space.

People are escaping from the Horse riders 'Chapandazs' way ,most of the time people get inside the ground for watching the game despite of announcer call by loud speaker during the game to empty the ground space.

People are escaping from the Horse riders 'Chapandazs' way ,most of the time people get inside the ground for watching the game despite of announcer call by loud speaker during the game to empty the ground space.

Horse riders 'Chapandazs' are competing to get the carcass of goat

one of the Horse riders 'Chapandazs' fallen from his horse during the game.

one of the Horse riders 'Chapandazs' fallen from his horse during the game.


French Horse riders 'Chapandazs' who do Buzkashi for more than two years.

Trip to South Afghanistan

Kabul military airport

GARDIZ, Jan 31:US led-coalition forces soldier stand guard in the Chinook helicopter.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:View of Paktia (Gardiz) Mountains covered with snow.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:View of Paktia (Gardiz) Mountains covered with snow.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:US led-coalition forces Coalition soldier stand guard inside the military vehicle in Gardiz city.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:A convoy of coalition force vehicles conducts patrol in Gardiz city of south eastern Paktia province.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:US led-coalition forces Chinook helicopter set off on Gardiz military base airport.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:US led-coalition forces Chinook Helicopter door keeper stand.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:US-led coalition forces get drop from US led-coalition forces Chinook Helicopter in Paktika province military air base.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:US-led coalition forces get drop from US led-coalition forces Chinook Helicopter in Paktika province military air base.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:US-led coalition forces get drop from US led-coalition forces Chinook Helicopter in Paktika province military air base.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:US-led coalition forces get drop from US led-coalition forces Chinook Helicopter in Paktika province military air base.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:US-led coalition forces get drop from US led-coalition forces Chinook Helicopter in Paktika province military air base.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:Journalists getting on Chinook helicopter in Paktika military air base.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31:US led-coalition forces soldier look out in a Chinook Helicopter.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Paktika, Jan 31:View of Paktika suburb.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

GARDIZ, Jan 31: view of Kabul-Paktia (Gardiz) mountains covered with snow.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

View of Capital city Kabul.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

View of Capital city Kabul.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

view of Kabul frozen river.Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and US- led coalition forces conducted operations National Treasury in Zurmat district, destroying Taliban propaganda radio station.

Gathering for Food Price

Afghanistan National United Council holds gathering urging the government to take necessary measure for economic grow. They state the nation needs bread and criticize open market system and ask for its change.

The gathering participants were men and women which had Breads on their hands with carrying of signs written: "Nation is hungry, Nation wants Bread."

One of the Afghanistan National United Council members said: Afghanistan is not ready with open market system in current situation, will cause of poverty, gap between poor and rich people and increase of materials cost particularly first materials
He added; mixed market system, conservation on economic activities, struggle on corruption, selling first materials in low price to the governmental workers, growth on agricultural product by distributing improved seeds and growth of Internal Handy crafts are the points that Afghanistan will survive from the economical crises.

Head of this Council said; if government doesn't pay attention to this problem in that case with relying to a hungry Nation, it is not possible to expect a splendid future.

The Afghan government and the United Nations called for over US$ 81 million to help people hit by the rising price of wheat flour. The appeal aims to help over 2.5 million Afghans at risk from food shortages in rural and urban areas over the coming five months.

Protesters hold breads and signs written " Nation is hungry, Nation wants bread" on the Kabul main street.

Little boy hold bread during the protestion.


The Afghan government and the United Nations called for over US$ 81 million to help people hit by the rising price of wheat flour. The appeal aims to help over 2.5 million Afghans at risk from food shortages in rural and urban areas over the coming five months in a press conference in Kabul.

Snow Man

While in winter schools are off habitually Children came out to play and pelt snow-balls at each other, Dwellers makes Snowman at roadside of Kabul to celebrate winter snowing in the capital, but in most provinces snow brought sorrow. Days of hard snowing all over Afghanistan mainly in western Farah, Ghor and northeastern Badakhshan province due to spread of population, being mountainous and muddy roads most of the districts' roads have been blocked by snow and caused of more than 100 deaths and faced most of families and farmers in troubles.

Drug Addicts

Afghanistan is the largest producer of drugs in the world. Drugs are easily available in the markets, drug dealers sell drugs in a shop in Argo District of northeastern Badakhshan province where people do drug trafficking to overseas.

After the fall of Taliban, the number of drug addicts has slightly raised. The addicts smoke drugs in ruins of civil war where no one lives. Repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan as well as poppy cultivation are causes for the increase of drug addicts.

After the fall of Taliban, the number of drug addicts has slightly raised. The addicts smoke drugs in ruins of civil war where no one lives. Repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan as well as poppy cultivation are causes for the increase of drug addicts.

Drug users share needles/syringes among themselves which may have the risk of HIV/AIDS virus transmission as they don’t follow the precautions. Spread of HIV virus through drug addicts remains a major concern in Afghanistan. Since the fall of Taliban, 266 positive cases of HIV has been detected which %66 of was among drug users who shared needles. Current estimates of infection drug users show in Afghanistan at more than one million.

Drug users share needles/syringes among themselves which may have the risk of HIV/AIDS virus transmission as they don’t follow the precautions. Spread of HIV virus through drug addicts remains a major concern in Afghanistan. Since the fall of Taliban, 266 positive cases of HIV has been detected which %66 of was among drug users who shared needles. Current estimates of infection drug users show in Afghanistan at more than one million.

Numerous non-governmental organizations work to facilitate the reintegration of drug addicts to their families and community through family awareness and motivation of drug addicts to seek treatment which is free of charges in the capital and provinces.

Nejat center, an NGO providing treatment to drug addicts and offering educational methods to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS.Numerous non-governmental organizations work to facilitate the reintegration of drug addicts to their families and community through family awareness and motivation of drug addicts to seek treatment which is free of charges in the capital and provinces.

Doctors in Nejat center provide treatment to almost twenty drug addicts who decide to quit drugs and reintegration to normal life, every month.
Numerous non-governmental organizations work to facilitate the reintegration of drug addicts to their families and community through family awareness and motivation of drug addicts to seek treatment which is free of charges in the capital and provinces.

Recovered drug addicts celebrate a party as they quitted drug after a three- month long treatment in Nejat center.
Numerous non-governmental organizations work to facilitate the reintegration of drug addicts to their families and community through family awareness and motivation of drug addicts to seek treatment which is free of charges in the capital and provinces.

Homeless

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

Homeless families are facing various problems – from daily survival until health and education services.

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

Homeless families in Kabul, despite of life pressure, still maintain big families. With lack of job opportunities, population growth is a problem that Afghan government now needs to address.
Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

Most of the Afghan refugees were reluctant to return from Iran and Pakistan as job and accommodation were easier in those countries.

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

Most of the Afghan refugees were reluctant to return from Iran and Pakistan as job and accommodation were easier in those countries.

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

High cost of housing forces people from the lower economic society in Kabul live in ruined buildings scattered around the capital.

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

Young girls rarely leave their homes due to worsening security. Homeless live in ruined buildings with poor living condition.

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.

Returnees are disappointed finding inadequate of job opportunities in Kabul. Conservative society prevents women to work outside, but when there are no other possibilities, poor women also have to beg on Kabul streets to support their families.

Due to internal conflict between Taliban insurgence and Afghan and NATO forces, pressures on refugees' repatriation from Pakistan and Iran, and Afghan government's inability to handle population problems, number of homeless in Kabul is increasing significantly.