Traditional Afghan Games: Where Fun Meets Culture
Afghanistan isn’t just mountains, naan, and endless cups of green tea — it’s also home to some of the most exciting, competitive, and sometimes hilariously chaotic traditional games. Whether it’s kids chasing kites like it’s the Olympics, adults ambushing each other with snowballs for free food, or men on horseback wrestling a goat — games here are not just games, they are culture, pride, and pure entertainment. Below are some of Afghanistan’s most loved traditional games that have added joy to childhoods and excitement to festivals for generations.
Who needs modern toys when Afghan kids have sheep knucklebones? Let’s Go Afghanistan
- Bujal Bazi — The Original Afghan Fidget Toy
Bujal Bazi (called Bejali in some areas) is basically marbles — but with bones (sheep knucklebones). Players flick, roll, and knock pieces like pros, and believe me, things get competitive fast. One second it’s fun and games, the next second friendships are being tested over one sneaky move. Classic childhood (Afghan Web, n.d.-a).
- Gudiparan Bazi — The Legendary Kite Fighting
If Afghanistan had a national childhood hobby, Gudiparan Bazi (kite fighting) would win with no tie-breaker needed. Kids (and adults who swear they’re “just helping”) sharpen kite strings with glass powder to cut opponents’ kites mid-air (Afghan Web, n.d.-a).
As soon as one falls, the real match begins — kite running. The rule is simple: If you catch it, it’s yours. No negotiation.
The biggest honor? Catching the last kite of the competition. There’s no sport like it in America — imagine the Super Bowl but with paper kites, flying strings, yelling kids, and the occasional uncle coaching from the roof like a strategist.
- Tokhm-Jangi — The Epic Egg Battle
During Eid al-Fitr, Afghans turn humble boiled eggs into warriors: the weapon? A painted egg, the mission? Crack your opponent’s egg without cracking yours.
It’s simple, funny, and strangely intense — you’ll see fully grown adults tapping eggs with the seriousness of world champions. The winner walks away with pride… and probably more eggs (Afghanistan Analysts Network, n.d.).
- Sangchil Baazi — Afghanistan’s Pebble Ninja Game
Pronounced sang-chil-baa-zee, this game is proof that you don’t need expensive toys to have fun — just five pebbles and fast reflexes.
You toss one pebble in the air, pick one from the ground, then catch the first before it falls. Easy? Until you’re picking up two… three… four… five pebbles at once like a magician.
The player who grabs the most wins — and sometimes earns lifelong bragging rights (Afghan Web, n.d.-a).
- Barfee — Snow, Speed, and Free Food
First snow in Afghanistan is not just winter — it’s Barfee season. Someone sneaks to a friend’s house, leaves a snowball or note on the door, and escapes like a ninja. If they reach home without being caught, they get a feast. If they get caught, they host the feast.
A wholesome game that begins with snow and ends with delicious food — not a bad deal (Afghan Web, n.d.-b).
- Buzkashi — The King of Afghan Sports
Now here comes the superstar — Buzkashi, Afghanistan’s most loved, most intense, and most adrenaline-filled sport.
Imagine this:
Dozens of horsemen racing, wrestling, pushing through dust and shouting — to grab a goat (or calf) carcass and score with it. Yes, really. That’s Buzkashi. Players, called Chapandaz, train for years alongside their highly respected horses. In unofficial matches, teams can be massive — sometimes hundreds of riders — and games may last days (Elias & Ali, year).
In tournaments, rules are set:
- No more than 10 players per team
- One hour per round with halftime
- No whipping opponents or forcing them off horses
Buzkashi is more than a sport — it’s skill, honor, tradition, and pure Afghan passion galloping across the field (Elias & Ali, year).
Buzkashi is played in Winter only. (Dec, Jan, Feb)
Final Thoughts
Afghan games are not just pastimes — they’re laughter, rivalry, childhood memories, celebration traditions, and community spirit. From painted eggs to thundering horses, each game tells a story of culture deeply rooted in joy, courage, skill, and creativity.
If you are going to visit Afghanistan, join a game, run for a falling kite, challenge someone to Tokhm-Jangi — or just watch a Buzkashi match with chai in hand. You’ll understand why Afghans cherish these games so much.
Reference
Elias, J., & Ali, S. E. Afghanistan (3rd ed.).Afghanistan: Third EditionBy Josie Elias, Sharifah Enayat Ali.
Afghan Web. (n.d.). Kids’ games. Afghan-Web.
Afghanistan Analysts Network. (n.d.). Happy Eid – and ten stories of celebrations and customs from all over the country. Afghanistan Analysts Network.https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/context-culture/happy-eid-and-ten-stories-of-celebrations-and-customs-from-all-over-the-country-2/
Afghan Web. (n.d.). Other games: Barfee and more. Afghan-Web.https://www.afghan-web.com/games/other-games/#barfee
Let’s Go Afghanistan Team
