Buzkashi Mazari
From above, chapandaz converge in pursuit of the goat carcass during a match of buzkashi, Afghanistan's national sport. Dating back centuries, the game is believed to have originated among the nomadic peoples of Central Asia and remains especially celebrated across northern Afghanistan. Photographed in Balkh province near Mazar-i-Sharif, this composition reveals the choreography of riders and horses as they surge toward the scoring circle, forming a scene that recalls the movement and complexity of a Renaissance painting. Balkh, one of the country's oldest cultural centers, is also recognized as the birthplace of the renowned poet Jalal al-Din Rumi.
Buzkashi Mazari translates to Buzkashi of Mazar, grounding the photograph in the region where the tradition continues to thrive and where some of Afghanistan's most celebrated matches are held.
Growing up as an Afghan-American, Malikyar knew two different versions of his motherland: the Afghanistan portrayed in the headlines, and the Afghanistan he knew through his family. Before ever experiencing the country himself, he came to know a place filled with beauty, culture, and humanity through stories, photographs, music, food, and tradition.
Guided by his Afghan heritage and relationships built on trust, Malikyar created this body of work over repeated journeys across Afghanistan, documenting daily life through moments of family, tradition, spirituality, work, and play. Many of the photographs were made during a brief period of access, preserving communities, traditions, and ways of life at a pivotal moment in the country's history. Together, they offer a portrait of Afghanistan shaped not by conflict alone, but by the dignity, beauty, and humanity that have always been part of its story.
For Malikyar, the series is also the fulfillment of a promise he made to himself as a child: that one day he would return and share the Afghanistan he knew existed with the world
ARTWORK SIZES
Prints are available unframed, or professionally framed.
+ 18×24 in (45×61 cm) print, total framed size: 24x30” (61x76cm)
+ 30×40 in (76×101.6 cm) print, total framed size: 38x48” (96x122cm)
+ 40×54 in (102×137 cm) print, total framed size: 48x62” (122x157cm)
ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS
+ Fine Art Paper: Archival pigment print on Canson Baryta Photographique 310gsm.
+ Presentation: Framed artworks are mounted with a white 8-ply archival mat for a refined museum-quality presentation. Each piece arrives ready to hang with all necessary hardware.
+ Frame: Solid wood gallery frame available in white, black, or natural wood.
+ Glazing: UV-protective, non-glare acrylic for enhanced protection while minimizing reflections.
+ Certificate of Authenticity: Each artwork includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity detailing the title, edition, size, and production information.
We currently ship to:
+ United States
+ Canada
+ European Union
+ United Kingdom
+ Australia
Each artwork is made to order and typically ships within 10-20 days of purchase. All shipments are fully insured and include tracking. Once your order has shipped, you'll receive a tracking number by email so you can follow your artwork throughout its journey. Delivery times may vary depending on destination and courier.