Buzkashi is the traditional Afghan sport commonly played during Nowruz celebrations.
The name buzkashi translates roughly as “goat pulling.” In the game, mounted players compete to carry a goat or calf carcass toward a goal or designated area. Although the sport is strongly associated with Afghanistan, related forms are played across Central Asia.
Nowruz provides an important seasonal occasion for large public buzkashi matches, particularly in Afghanistan. The competitions can bring together riders, spectators, musicians, and local officials as part of broader holiday festivities.
Buzkashi is sometimes mistakenly described as simply Afghan polo. Both are equestrian sports, but buzkashi does not use a ball, mallet, or formal polo goal. Its distinctive object and horseback contest give it a separate history and identity.