Afghan culture and traditions pdf

Pashtun dominates the southern and eastern regions, where people follow pashtunwali laws. Coverage of afghan cooking and cuisine brings a more intimate understanding of the culture. Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in afghanistan culture, greetings, gestures, etiquette, protocol, negotiations, giftgiving, and more. Pashtuns have traditionally dominated afghanistan, so the extent that the term. In the wartorn country of afghanistan, the progression of art and music has been relatively stalled due to previous taliban rule. Oct 31, 2011 when i think of how to describe the afghan culture, i see the contrast of good customs and old traditions that dont benefit the people the way they once did.

Khaled hosseinis the kite runner describes the culture and traditions customs and of the afghan people in this novel about a family that emigrates from afghanistan to the united states after. Therefore, there is a strong societal pressure to adhere to sunni islamic traditions. Statistics describing the countrys linguistic, religious and ethnic demographics are based on its most recent national census. This means that family responsibilities tend to hold a greater importance than personal needs. Saying no directly is not courteous in afghani culture so an affirmative response from. The customs that have emerged and survived greatly compliment its geostrategic location, and a long tryst with invaders and individual empires. Afghanistan culture blog welcome to the official blog of afghanistan culture. The culture of the pashtun people is highlighted since at least the time of herodotus 484425 bc or alexander the great, when he explored the afghanistan and. Pashtun have many traditional stories, both in their own language and in persian. The people here flaunt a culture and tradition that are the result of ancient trade and migration. Home daily life food, fashion, and music sports and recreation traditions religion jackson gergen, leah steding, shae archambault, hattie sack religion in afghanistan. The history of afghanistan is a history of war and conflict even up to present day. Modern afghanistan is well grounded in its beliefs and customs, even as it is open to change.

Afghans are very proud of their land, religion and ancestry. Army personnel serving in afghanistan have numerous opportunities to interact with the afghan people called afghans who are the product of a. When meeting someone the handshake is the most common form on greeting. Afghanistans response to these practices and makes. The culture is based on hospitality and generosity. Subscribing to afghanistan culture blog lets you know when new web pages appear on the site so you can stay up to date.

The most festive holiday celebrated by afghans, and iranians, is nawroz, the new year celebration, which occurs on march 21, the vernal equinox. Popular culture is based on tradition, steeped in religion and colored by tribal relics of war, romance and magic. Afghanistan cultural field guide public intelligence. Much of the afghan culture is based on tribal and nomadic societies. Rice is the dominant food item in many afghan kitchens, with a local rice dish known as the kabuli palaw being recognized as afghanistans national dish. Afghanistan is an islamic republic, headed by the president. Different aspects of afghan culture in the kite runner essay. The moral code of the islamic doctrine tends to govern the political, economic and legal aspects of an afghans life. Pashtun culture is different as compared to others cultures like food, festival, sports, dances, and poetry. Afghanistan is rich in traditions and customs but, for many of us, this meltingpot of cultures is a bit of a mystery. Ethnic composition of afghanistan afghanistan is a multiethnic country with an estimated population of about 30 million world fact book, 2012.

Afghan presidents may serve a maximum of two 5year terms. The most festive holiday celebrated by afghans, and iranians, is nawroz. Further, sunni hanafis tend to have a better relationship with the sufi mystics which are significant to afghan culture and history because they value belief more than particular practices. They are very hospitable and serve their guests with the best possible food. Their loyalty is first to their local leaders and their tribe, and their identification with an abstract afghan nation has always been fragile. Pashtun culture is an ancient way of life like speaking of the pashto language and wearing pashtun dress. Its culture, traditions and customs are unique to its geographical setting as a landlocked country. The state was formed by the political expansion of pashtun tribes in the middle of the eighteenth century but was not unified until the end of the nineteenth century. An introduction to afghanistan culture afghan agriculture. These include traditional marriage and courting customs, and of course, the kite flying tournaments. This paper aims to examine the cultural norms that impede afghan girls from going to school. Afghanistan was not united under one king until 1737 when nadir shah of persia conquered it.

Dress afghan women typically wear a twopiece outfit consisting of loose trousers worn under a tunic or a kurta with a high neck and long sleeves. The arabs introduced islam in the 7th century and the turks briefly made afghanistan the center of islamic power and civilization at the beginning of the 11th century. The pashtun element in afghan society openedition books. Other sweet beverages, including fruit juice and soft drink, are also popular, especially among younger people. In the meantime, afghanistan improved diplomatic ties with many countries in the world and continues to establish new ties with other states. This is an afghan tradition and a major part of their culture afghan women are not permitted to marry non muslim men. The glorious culture, traditions, and customs of afghanistan. Afghan food celebrates culture and tradition central. Poetry in afghanistan has long been a cultural tradition and passion. Naan is made of wheat and is thin, long and oval shaped. Afghan marriage traditions allow girls of ten years of age or younger to get engaged, but not married the grooms parents pay for the whole wedding. The current president is ashraf ghani born 1949, who was elected in 2014. Afghan stories, memories of the past, stories of the war afghan stories or information posted by afghans and other visitors of this informative website.

The kite runner, by khaled hosseini, explores in depth the discrimination that has infected the afghan culture and the catastrophic effects they have of citizens. Afghanistan national days afghan independence day 19 august afghan independence day is celebrated in afghanistan on 19 august to commemorate the angloafghan treaty of 1919. The unification of family through food in afghan culture in the select novels of khaled hosseini u. Culture includes the traditions, values, beliefs, behaviors and norms of a nation, tribe, region, state or other group of people. Afghanistan national days mujahideen victory day 28 april political holiday on the 28 april each year. Ones family is the single most important aspect of life in afghanistan.

The survey, now on its fifteenth edition, has gathered the views of more than 129,000 afghans since 2004 on security, reconciliation with the taliban, migration. He decided to make a video to tell the story of their particular culture. Afghan traditions on the territory of this small countryhome to about two dozen nationalities, each of which has brought afghanistan to the culture of the mite. Afghanistan translates to land of the afghans or place of afghans in the nations official languages, dari and pashto. They have developed a strong attachment to india, while retaining their original culture and traditions. Much of the rest of the afghan population follows pasthunwali, or a variation of the code, as well. Current numbers suggest that roughly 42 per cent of afghans consider themselves pashtun, whereas the rest of the population is constituted of tajik sunni persianspeakers 27 per cent, the shiite hazara also persianspeakers, but of another. This is the official blog of afghanistan culture blog is my journal about growing up and working in afghanistan as well as facts and cultural information of the region. Geetha, assistant professor the richness of every culture is determined by their art, architecture, and traditions. Pathans are extremely obsessed and curious to know about their origin of their race. The composite turcopersian tradition refers to a distinctive culture that arose in the 9th and 10th centuries in khorasan and transoxiana presentday afghanistan, iran, uzbekistan, turkmenistan, tajikistan, minor parts of kyrgyzstan and kazakhstan. The womens roles in afghan culture are to obey the men, stay home and be a housewife. Afghan cuisine is largely based upon the nations chief crops, such as wheat, maize, barley and rice. One story tells of a man who wanted to discover how to change his luck.

I found myself recently labelled a wellknown expert on afghan culture this. With parents of afghan origin, he has grown up in the community and celebrated its festivals. You will also see people place their hands over their hearts and nod. Accompanying these staples are native fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products such as milk, yogurt doogh and whey. Cultural information communication styles question. The tradition of afghan food goes far beyond holidays and celebrations. Afghanistans shrine of ali is also called the blue mosque. Afghanistan has a rich and diverse culture that has taken shape for thousands of years. Please read the submitted posts, and if you have any info about the region, pls dont hesitate to share. Additionally families are highly dependant upon one another to meet many aspects of everyday life. Moreover, different themes he uses to represent afghan culture include kite flying, loyalty, courage, honour, low statuses of women in society and hierarchy.

As reported by, the afghans their history and culture. Oct 14, 2014 the war in afghanistan should be studied in relation to political culture, political economy and broader national and regional history. See more ideas about food, afghan food recipes, afghanistan food. The novel scrutinizes the afghani culture in afghanistan and delves into the discriminatory treatment of minorities such as women, the hazara race and those with physical disabilities. Starting from the war of state construction and establishing a centralized authority between 18801901. Family roles are complex and they change depending upon ethnicity and region. Follow our guide to afghan greetings and discover why they are particularly suitable. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to afghanistan. Islamic law requires prayer five times a day munz, fasting. In such a short guide, it is sometimes necessary to simplify complex concepts, or to make generalizations about. Harmful traditional practices and implementation of the. Culture and tradition, sometimes viewed and used as a. The unification of family through food in afghan culture.

Culture of afghanistan history, people, clothing, women. Later conquerors were moslems who converted the country to the moslem religion. Afghan men also wear a long tunic over baggy trousers and often wear a vest over the tunic karakul is a hat made from the wool of karakul sheep. Pdf afghanistans cultural norms and girls education. There is a history with kite fighting and the afghanistan culture. It is flanked by pakistan, iran, turkmenistan, uzbekistan and china. Sep 05, 2015 dress afghan women typically wear a twopiece outfit consisting of loose trousers worn under a tunic or a kurta with a high neck and long sleeves.

The islamic republic of afghanistan is located in central asia. What do i need to know about verbal and nonverbal communications. Afghanistans traditional food the afghan perspective. Afghanistans overall economy has also improved dramatically and nato states had agreed in 2012 to help the country for at least another 10 years after 2014. The moral code of the islamic doctrine tends to govern the political, economic and legal aspects of an afghan s life. The staple crops in afghanistan are rice, barley, wheat, and maize. Afghan culture 7 the family afghanistan people have strong values, beliefs and rules surrounding the family and its members behavior. Get an answer for afgan traditions and culture shape the character responses to the events of the novel. Pashtun culture tribes, festivals, dresses, food and poetry.

Follow us a community built resource for crosscultural etiquette and understanding. Pages in category afghan culture the following 20 pages are in this category, out of 20 total. Read our guide to find out more about the culture, music and food in afghanistan. Kite fighting in the afghanistan culture can be explained in many different ways. Dining etiquette meeting and greeting customs and traditions of afghanistan always take off your shoes at the. Apr 25, 2018 afghan cuisine is a reflection of the nations cultural diversity. Culture and customs of afghanistan cultures and customs. Woven together, these customs and rules form a bright and colorful oriental flavor, which is a luxurious rug can open an attentive man a special world of afghan traditions. Lavash is very thin bread and used as plating for meats and stews.

The afghan government is established as a sunni islamic republic. Afghan people can tell stories of how kite fighting really means something to them. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and gov. Our customs and traditions are so deeply rooted and established, that today they have the force of law. Oct 18, 2019 afghanistan is an islamic republic, headed by the president. Different aspects of afghan culture in the kite runner. The longestrunning barometer of afghan opinion, the survey of the afghan people presents a clear picture of the gains and gaps that afghans perceive in a rapidly transforming nation. In 1747, the pashtun, the dominant ethnic group in afghanistan, established their.

Different regions of the country are ruled by their own traditions, creating a truly multicultural nation. Afghanistan food afghan people are fond of nonvegetarian dishes, and they dont use cutlery. The nations culinary specialties reflect its ethnic and geographic diversity. When i think of how to describe the afghan culture, i see the contrast of good customs and old traditions that dont benefit the people the way they once did. The theme of social statuses is very clear throughout the chapters, and includes massive contrasts in afghan culture between amir and hassan. The culture of afghanistan has persisted for over three millennia, tracing record to at least the.

This article provides an overview of how music is defined in afghan culture, describes the instruments that are key to understanding afghan music and culture, and compares afghan folk music with classical and art music forms. The treaty granted complete independence from britain. The figure of the total population of each country is drawn from the global estimates listed in the cia world factbook, unless otherwise stated. After the formation of the modern nationstate between 18801929, afghanistan has witnessed at least seven major conflicts. Society is simply people in general, livening together in communities. This particular trait is the result of consistent foreign invasion. The history of afghani culture can be traced back to the achaemenid empire of the 6th century bce. The rest of the country is largely influenced by turkic and persian beliefs.

Customs and traditions of afghanistan by myles overstreet. What are some significant afghan traditions in the. The chapter on family, women, and gender will draw readers in with its survey of how the family works, what is expected of women, and what courtship, marriage, childrearing, and education are like today. The culture of afghanistan is maledominated and the women are inferior to the men of afghan culture. Kite fighting is a characteristic of afghan culture that affects relationships in the novel. Afghan culture is the driving force behind the plot and characters decisions in the kite runner. Hamid karzai born 1957 served two terms as president before him. The unification of family through food in afghan culture in. The word afghan historically has been used to designate the members of an ethnic group also called the pashtuns, but afghanistan is multicultural and multiethnic. There is a huge difference between people who studied, lived or worked in the main cities such as kabul, mazar, jalalabad, herat and those who were raised and lived in the rural areas or some of the provinces such as kandahar, paktia, uruzgan. Obi naan is shaped like a disk and is thicker than naan. Literally meaning new day, nawroz is celebrated with picnics, similar to our cookouts. When visitors come to call, afghan families create a.

In the same way, the cultures of germany, england, and the united states respectively were empha sized in the other schools. The culture of afghanistan has persisted for over three millennia, tracing record to at least the time of the achaemenid empire in 500 bce. Afghan culture is very collectivistic and people generally put their familys interests before their own. Some young afghan people may drink alcohol, even though this is against islam. Beverages sugarsweetened tea is a common beverage in the afghan community. It is mostly a tribal society with different regions of the country having its own subculture. Afghanistan cultural field guide this guide provides basic cultural information on afghanistan. Recent islamic radicalism in afghanistan is contrary to this historical. His successor ahmad shah, the first afghan king, brought to afghanistan its first real semblance of unity. Khaled hosseini portrays many afghan traditions in the kite runner.

If your into crocheted afghans this book gives ou a lot to work on. As is consistent with afghanistans modest and extremely hospitable culture, greeting afghan people correctly is important to show both sincerity and respect. These breads are locally called naan, obi naan and lavash. Afghan star the film afghan star depicts a fantastic story of how one television show began to change the way that a nation viewed their own culture. According to the story, a man may be given the opportunity to experience luck, but he must have the intelligence to take advantage of it. Honor, another centerpiece of afghan culture, influences the decisions of the books characters. Afghanistan operational culture for deploying personnel revised and updated may 2009 foreword this guidebook was designed specifically to provide basic cultural information for marines deploying to afghanistan. Afghan culture and society in the kite runner by amandeep.