> A couple of different turban wraps in Rawalpindi.
 > The Tharparkar desert forms the border with India's Rajasthan State. These men belong to nomads that move in and out of both countries often smuggling goods in their camel trains. To protect from the elements they wear long cotton turbans, often with a long train which they wrap around their faces to protect them in dust storms.
 > The chase is on.
 > Spectators sitting on the field (maidan) itself, wait for the game to begin.
 > At last, the match ends and the victor holds his whip in the air in glory.
 > The game really belongs to the Uzbek, Tajiks and Kryghyz of Central Asia. These are the Persian and Turkic speaking peoples who made up Genghiz Khan's Golden Horde and were the best horsemen the world had ever seen. Pathans, of southern and eastern Afghanistan don't really play buzkashi.
 > The horses are generally cooperative and ridden expertly. But every now and then one gets fed up and bucks madly, much to the excitement of the crowd.
 > There is no whistle, or siren to announce the beginning of the match. Suddenly the horses shuffle, men roar and whips are waved in the air.
 > Every once in a while, again without any apparent reason or cause, the match stops. Men drink water, tighten saddles and boots and plot their next moves. This old man seemed to be a referee of sorts, moving slowly around the field throughout the match.
A couple of different turban wraps in Rawalpindi.
 > A couple of different turban wraps in Rawalpindi.
A couple of different turban wraps in Rawalpindi.
Photo by: ajnabi · see photo in gallery

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