Photograph by Franco Pagetti

Image Title: Buzcashi, the Afghan national sport

Paper Dimensions (H x W): 16 x 20

Image Dimensions (H x W): 13.75 x 20.75

Year Created: 2009

Edition 2 of 9 + artist proof

Signed on certificate of authenticity

Image Description: Kabul Afghanistan, December 11, 2009. The steppes' people were skilled riders who could grab a goat or calf from the ground while riding a horse at full gallop. The goal of a player is to grab the carcass and then get it clear of the other players and pitch it across a goal line or into a target circle or vat. The ancient game of Buzkashi has been played in northern Afghanistan since the days of Ghengis Khan, the Mongol warrior whose army swept across Asia in the 13th century.

Photographer's Bio: The Italian photographer Franco Pagetti is a member of the Agency VII. The primary focus of his work has been conflict zones, something that has allowed him to observe people and communities under the most extreme situations. He has witnessed the incredible heroism as well as abhorrent brutality inherent to war. Pagetti has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Kosovo, East Timor, Kashmir, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Southern Sudan. In addition to TIME magazine, Pagetti has worked on assignments for Newsweek, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Stern magazine, Sunday Times magazine and VOGUE America.

www.francopagetti.com/