During the Taliban most forms of music were banned in public or private use. But in times past the culture of Afghans was full of music and life, many Afghans enjoy playing instruments and love having music around them. What you will typically hear in Afghanistan are folk songs or ballads. Many of the songs will be known by everyone in Afghanistan and have been around for many years. Most of the instruments used in Afghanistan are among the stringed instruments, the six-stringed rohab is thought to be the ancestor to the Western violin and cello. Other instruments include the santur, a hand-pumped harmonium, the chang, and a variety of drums beaten with the palm and fingers. Most know the Attan, the national dance, and enjoy doing it when it comes up at fancier parties and gatherings.
0 Comments
In Afghanistan, cotton and wool are the materials mainly used for dressing. Silk is also used in clothing and crafts including carpets, or rugs but it is more expensive. During the 1950's most style changes from the west grew on the people of Afghanistan as well, women started wearing more outgoing outfits and showed a lot more skin than what they had in the past. Years after the 1950's women took a huge step back in their strides in fashion. During the Taliban, women had to wear a long dress with a trouser as well as a Burqa on top to cover them from the head to the ankle. The length in the front of the burqa reaches to the knee while the back goes to the ankle. Women were only allowed to wear black shoes, but never white. Wearing white shoes during the Taliban was forbidden because the color was the same as the Taliban flag, so if women wore white shoes, they were believed to be stepping on the flag and being disrespectful. Men's clothing, on the other hand, has stayed unchanged over the years. Long pants are the usual dress, with a jacket when in a fancier situation, a hat is usually paired as well. Most well-made jackets and hats are made of lamb skin, and lamb fur depending on the jacket/hat. Most jackets and pants are paired with a gold or silver embroidery waistcoat, and the foot wear known as Paizar. For weddings or more special occasions Afghans will dress in purple for her engagement party (may very according to different religions) and depending on her religion will wear a white dress, and a green dress with multi colored embroidery. usually a wedding ceremony consists of two dresses, first the green, then the white dress after the ceremony is over. Men will wear a less detailed outfit, usually white embroidered with gold or silver.
Most cultures have traditions that can be followed back many years. Afghanistan is no exception, with the generations changing to fit the evolving world around us, one thing always seems to keep its roots held firmly in the original traditions, Food. Afghanistan's specialties include: Qabli Pulao, Kababs, Gorma, Mantu, Shorma, a variety of breads, rice dishes, Khameerbob, Quroot, Osh Pyozee, Sher Berinj, and many more. In most Afghan food you will find some form of rice as a side and some form of meat incorporated into the dish. The people of Afghanistan rarely use utensils to eat. Traditionally food is eaten with righ hand, using nan (a kind of bread) as a spoon. Afghans treat their guests with great respect, and serve their guests with as good food as they can provide. When eating at another's house in Afghanistan, it is proper etiquette to take off your shoes when entering, people then wait to be told where to sit by the host. Afghans typically sit on the floor with the comfort of a rug, or pillow, after sitting food is served on plastic or vinyl tablecloths spread out along the floor. Most Afghans will sit in the cross-legged position because it is considered rude to sit with ones feet outstretched towards another. Once they have come of age most men will usually eat prior to women and kids, and in a separate room.
|