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The culture of Afghanistan has been around for millenia. Afghanistan's culture is largely influenced by Islam but has also been influenced by religions such as Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Hinduism. Afghanistan has been a crossroads for India, Iran, and Central Asia which has influenced its culture.
Literature
Afghanistan Literature is very strong and old.Years before the europeans learn to write or read there in Afghanistan was a bunch of writers and poets.
Afghan poetry is primarily written in Pashto and Dari. The most famous forms of poetry in Afghanistan are Ghazal and Charbeiti both of which were originally unique to the Dari language but have since been used by other languages.
Charbeiti is told in four lines and usually describes love, youth, war, or events in the poet's life. They are often passed on orally which often leads to multiple variations of a poem
Afghanistan has made major contributions to world architecture. UNESCO has acknowledged Afghanistan's role by declaring the Minaret of Jam and the Valley of Bamiyan, home of the famous Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban, World Heritage Sites.
Architecture
Other examples of universally important contributions to architecture may be found in Herat,
Mazar-i-Sharif and Ghazni. For more information, see Afghanistan Buddha Page.
Traditional Clothing
Afghan Man |
Afghan Woman |
Traditional male Afghan clothing usually includes a Pakol(hat), Lungee(turban), and a Chapan(coat). Traditional women's clothing includes a dress and a cloth that covers the face (including the burqa). However, recently after the fall of the Taliban many men and women have changed what they wear and many similarities to Western dress have develop
Buzkashi (National Sport)
Photos of buzkashi can be found here.
Buzkashi (from Persian بزکشی buzkashi, buz "goat" + kashi "drawing") is a traditional Afghan sport, played from horseback. The name translates literally to "goat grabbing", implying that the game originated in the ancient practice of horseback goat-nabbing during the times of Aryans. The Aryans were skilled horse-riders who could swoop up a goat while riding a horse at full gallop. The goal of a Buzkashi player is to grab the carcass of a calf, and then get it clear of the other players, or pitch it across a goal line.
Competition is typically fierce, as other players may use any force short of tripping the horse in order to thwart scoring attempts (though the use of knives or guns is discouraged). Riders usually wear heavy clothing and head protection to protect themselves from players' whips and boots. Games can last for several days.
The game consists of two main forms: Tudabarai and Qarajai. Tudabarai is considered to be the simpler form of the game; in this style, the goal is simply to grab the calf and move in any direction until clear of the other players. In Qarajai, players must carry the carcass around a flag or marker at one end of the field, then throw it into a scoring circle at the other end.
The calf in a Buzkashi game is normally beheaded, disemboweled and its limbs cut off, then soaked in cold water for 24 hours before play to toughen it. Occasionally sand is packed into the carcass to give it extra weight. Players may not strap the calf to their bodies or saddles.
Serious Buzkashi players train intensively for years, and many of the masters (called chapandaz) are over forty years old. Playing well also requires specially trained horses that know to stop still when a rider is thrown, and to gallop forcefully when their rider gets hold of the calf. These horses can sell for as much as $US 2,500.
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