Tent Pegging, from ancient battlefields to modern sports ground is a popular cavalry sport belonging to equestrian family of sports, where riders try to uproot a small target using a lance while maintaining their balance on the horse. It is thought to have begun as a battle tactic in ancient armies and then gradually developed into a full-fledged sport.
Below is a video of a tent pegging competition held at University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Several aspects of martial as well as cultural and local significance of this sport are prominent in the video.
Courtesy: Mr. Arsalan Khalil
The video amicably captures the competitive spirit as well as excited mood of the spectators present on the ground.
Tent pegging gameplay usually consists of a team of four riders on horses galloping towards very small targets which the riders aim to uproot using lances skills all the while maintaining balance on the fast-moving horse is needed to accomplish the seemingly impossible task.
The attire of the riders is of particular importance in the historical and cultural significance of this sports.The traditional dress including the waist coat and turban (called PUG in Punjabi) embodies the immense value attached to the sport and its historical roots.
The true traditional essence of tent pegging would not be completed without mentioning the accompanying folk music that captures the overall mood very well. The above video contains a modern rendition of a renowned Punjabi song to highlight the cultural essence of this sport.
Tent pegging is one of those sports that relies on natural aesthetics and does not contain a lot of synthetic elements. Horses are thoroughly bred and raised on an organic diet close to their natural environment.
Thus, tent pegging can be termed as a perfect combination of sportsmanship and unmatched physical skills coupled with local values and folk culture of a particular region.
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