Buzhkachi II (2008)
Matthieu Paley
Outside Dushanbe, over 50 horses and their riders have gathered on a snowy plain to play Buzkachi, a raw and ancient Central Asian horse game played since the days of Ghengis Khan.
Riders, known as Chopendoz, usually wear heavy clothing and head protection such as old Russian tank hats to protect themselves against other players’ whips and boots.
The aim of Buzkachi is to grab the carcass of a goat, keep it clear of the other players and pitch it across the goal line. Competition is typically fierce, as other players may use any force short of tripping the horses in order to thwart scoring attempts.
Matthieu Paley has travelled all over the world on assignment for National Geographic magazine. Focusing his efforts on regions that are misrepresented, he is especially committed to issues relating to diminishing cultures and to the environment.
The recipient of numerous awards, Matthieu has published several books of his work and his fine art images have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.
Born in
