Bird fighting in Afghanistan is more than “birds” and “fighting”.

For some, bird fighting is a pure “act of animal cruelty”. While for others it is beyond.

It is a centuries-old tradition. It is an “industry” in this non-industrial tribal society, where bets can go as high as tens of thousands of dollars. It is a “career”, which can take a lifetime to build. For some, it is purely a hobby or a passion with no financial rewards; for others, it is their only source of income.

Whatever the reason, this clip, made by our Journalism student Iraj Rais, is a small window into the lives of ordinary Afghans, who are usually shown through the lens of war, terrorism, and poverty.