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Buzkashi - Act 11


Buzkashi - Act 11
Information sur la photo
Copyright: Vincent Thomas (vthomas) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 84 W: 10 N: 163] (688)
Genre: Gens
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2007-03-04
Catégories: Vie quotidienne
Appareil photographique: Pentax istDL, Pentax FA 100-300mm
Exposition: f/7.1, 1/320 secondes
More Photo Info: [view]
Versions: version originale
Date de soumission: 2007-05-06 14:55
Vue: 1711
Points: 10
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
THE GAME:
“The buzkachi is a traditional game of Afghanistan and of the Central Asian steppes. The body of a beheaded ram is stuffed with wet sand to make it heavier. A white circle ( hallal ) is drawn with lime on the ground. At an equal distance on the right and on the left sides of the hallal two masts are erected. At a signal given by the judge(s) the participants rush to attempt to grab the carcass and throw it in the white circle after ridding around one of the masts. Once a rider has secured the carcass he may be immediately challenged by other competitors who will wrestle with him all along or be left alone while he goes to turn around the mast and then be assaulted on his way back to the hallal . Buzkachis can be pleasant affairs among members of the same clan or brutal encounters between highly-skilled horsemen of different groups, particularly when the monetary and prize incentives are high. (extracts from “Vents d’Est” – Pierre Claquin)”

THE PHOTO: "HALLAL !"
This photo has to be seen as a part of the series on Buzkachi I posted so far. The buzkach in the center (with the green/grey uniform, black horse and the buzkachi hat falling) just dropped the buz in the Hallal (white circle that you can see on the right) causing an instant reaction of celebration among other buzkach from the same province (Takhar). I particularly like this photo because such celebration for Hallal is relatively rare. Most. Despite the fact that only the winner will get the financial reward (which went up to 1200 $ that day) it happens sometimes that the ethnical and or provincial bonds manifest themselves, especially during such buzkachi where many provinces are represented.
For me it's really priceless to see smiles and happiness on those faces as they usually look rather serious and scary :-)
And if you look at the guy in the foreground (whom I felt for long that he screwed-up my photo :-) you'll see he's holding a cell phone... He was making a call but ended-up celebrating like his Takhar fellows, haha...
That's "non cliché" Afghanistan for you :-)
haraldpr, jjcordier trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi,Vincent!
Great shot and fantastic picture!Very dynamic composition!
The note are very interesting too!
Bravo!!!!
Best Regards!
Yuri

Hi, nice shot .excelent picture.well done.TFS
asim:

Vincent! Incredible mêlée of an image. Superb sharpness and capture of kinetics. regards, c

  • Great 
  • sadeik Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 590 W: 191 N: 659] (3149)
  • [2007-05-06 16:50]

A fantastic shot of this field of men and horses playing their national game. Lots to look at and a great POV

Simon

I often described the Afghan males as the "ultimate machos" and your picture just confirms that private opinion of mine.
I only met Afghan exiles so far, and they were all just that friendly and nice...

On est vraiment au coeur de l'action....impressionnant!Superbe ambiance et quel enthousiasme de tous ces participants. Une superbe photo de reportage, de très belle qualité.
Amicalement
JJ

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