Navruz and Buzkashi in the Rasht valley

Every year on 21st march Tajikistan and all the surrounding central Asian countries celebrate Navruz, I think the best way to describe it would be ''a celebration of life'' 
Translated in Farsi it means ''new day'' originating in Persia and has been celebrated for over 2500 years, the 21st of march in the northern hemisphere is the start of the spring equinox and signals the start of the Persian new year as it was then.
So we had five days holiday to take in some amazing scenery and enjoy a truly memorable experience in Gharm in the Rasht valley. five of us hired a people carrier and a driver for the trip, as it turned out having the driver was a brilliant idea as none of us would have been comfortable with the prospect of driving on some of these mountainous roads

This is a picture of the car at a police checkpoint where we spent about an hour while we ironed out a few issues with our documents! as it turned out it was quite fortuitous for us all.
As the journey to Gharm continued we climbed higher into the mountains and the scenery was spectacular as you can see.












we arrived in Gharm unscathed and found the mercy corp house where we were staying, because of the situation at the checkpoint it was suggested to us that it would a good idea if we supply a gift for the buzkashi event tomorrow,  we set off in search of a suitable prize.

The next morning we travelled to Hoit for the Navruz celebration and buzkashi event. we were informed on route that we were to be guests of honour of the police commander at the celebrations, this all came about because of our document issues at the checkpoint and a lady called Janice from mercy corps kindly talking to police for us, also because we had bought a prize for the buzkashi event, so here we are sitting at the head man's table enjoying the celebrations taking place.

VSO friends Nadina, Marja, and Derek 

here are a few more photos and a video of the many things going on.           

Buzkashi
After the fun and dancing in the park we were treated a very nice sit down lunch.
we then made our way to the main event, you will be left in doubt how much these people love this sport when you watch there faces and hear the cheering from the crowd, it is a fantastic spectacle and one I won't forgot. Some compare it to polo, both games have riders on horseback and both involve propelling a object towards a goal, but seriously its not the kind of thing I see the 'Prince of Wales' doing as the object is a headless goat! see for yourselves and watch the video below, its a rough sport and they love it....    

     

                                                               

the winner of our prize 'an oven' and a tea set, come on down!