Cockfighting (Murgh Janghi) Tournament in Kabul

The heels and bills of the birds are sharpened among people before fights. Each match runs around 4-6 rounds, every round runs between 10 to 20 minutes with a gap of 5 minutes.

Animal fighting is a favoured pastime of many Afghans. Cockfighting, known as “Murgh Janghi” in the Afghan Dari language. Some 100,000 to 200,000 Afghanis (2,000 to 4,000 USD) can exchange hands among spectators placing bets during these fights.

An Afghan cock owner blows water onto his gamecock's head during a cockfighting tournament in Kabul. Cockfighting, a popular game among Afghans during the winter season. It was banned during the Taliban rule.

 Two gamecocks face each other during a cockfighting tournament in Kabul .

 Afghan men watch a cockfighting tournament in Kabul.

 Afghan cock owners scotchtape a plastic nail onto the leg of a gamecock at a cockfighting tournament in Kabul.