A Summarized information on Afghan Culture
Cotton and wool are the main material used in Afghanistan and these are woven and dyed and made into garments by each family or group. Women wear the Chadri, which covers a woman from head to foot. with a latticed slit for the eyes, is made of cotton in shades of blue, brown, black. In the rural parts, women working on the land dispense with this, but cover their faces in the presence of a stranger. The women near Pakistan's border wear long, full trousers, often red in colour, with a loose, long-sleeved tunic dress, rather like the kameez, together with a draped headscarf. This is the basis of many of the women's costumes and the tunic varies in length and design. In the northern areas striped material is used, often dyed red from madder or in shades of blue and brown. Loose sleeveless, hip-length jackets are worn in full-length striped coat for warmth. Young girls go bareheaded, but women cover their heads with long headscarves, the colours varying according to the groups to which they belong. The scarves are tied round the head, leaving a long end hanging down the back, which can be drawn across the face. A white headscarf signifies the married status.The men wear a thigh-length, long-sleeved shirt which is belted at the waist with a skirt effect to the lower half. A sleeveless waistcoat is worn over the shirt and there are loose fitting white trousers. Another form of dress is the long-sleeved, ankle-length 'chupan'. This is a long coat made in wool, often white in colour and worn by the mountain peopl in the winter season. The chupan is worn over loosely fitting jackets and trousers, or is wrapped round the body like a cloak. There is also a similar type of coat which is made in stripes of darkish colours.In the winter, thick woolen, hand-knitted stockings are worn with leather boots. Children and adults wear sandals or a form of boot as protection against the rough mountainous ground or earth. The hide comes from the Yak, which is found throughout the highlands of central Asia. In the cities, the open toe sandals is very common and sometimes shoes with up-pointed toes are seen. There are various forms of headgear which include the large turbans with a long end hanging down the back, neat around astrakhan hats, woolen knitted hats and large fur sheepskin hats.
Important Holidays/Occasions/Festivities
Celebrated in Afghanistan
The religious holidays in Afghanistan are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, and other holidays such as Independence day, and New Year's day are celebrated based on the solar calendar. During many holidays, Afghans usually visit friends and families, prepare lavish meals, and attend special prayers.
EID AL-FITR
Day: After a
month of Fasting (Ramadan).
Many start out the day by wearing new clothes, and going to
prayer. Afterwards, people visit or entertain their friends
and families. Children usually receive gifts or money called "Eidi".
EID AL-ADHA
Day: Tenth day of
the twelfth month of the Islamic (Hijra) calendar.
The day commemorates the Prophet Abraham's devotion to God. He
was willing to slay his son Ismael as a sacrifice. Ismael was
never killed, instead, Allah provided a lamb for the
sacrifice. Muslims performing the Haj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
sacrifice a lamb, and the meat is given out to the poor. This
holiday is celebrated in the same fashion as Eid al-Fitr,
people visit friends and families, gifts are exchanged, etc.
ASHURA
Day: Tenth day of
the month Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
This is a day of mourning. It commemorates the martyrdom of
Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussain and his followers at the
battle of Kerbala.
MAWLEED AL-NABI
Day: The 12th day
of the month Rabi al-Awal in the Islamic calendar.
On this day, people celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
They attend prayers, remember Muhammad, and entertain/visit
friends and familiy.
NOWROZE
Day: March 21
This is the first day of spring (New Year's Day for the solar
calendar).
JESHENE AZADEE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF AFGHANISTAN FROM BRITISH EMPIRE
Day: August 19
August 19 marks Afghan independence day. Even though,
Afghanistan was never a British colony, the British did have
control of its foreign policy due to an agreement signed by a
former Afghan King. The Third Anglo-Afghan War ended this
agreement.
Clothes from Afghanistan
Here are some of the musical instruments used in Afghanistan. The instruments are traditional instruments which are mostly used in folklore music but also utilized in modern Afghan music today as well.
