Understanding Afghanistan A presentation from teachertube.com.

Understanding Afghanistan

A presentation from teachertube.com

Afghanistan’s many names 

►Afghanistan means the “Land of the Afghan”

►In Ancient times called Aryana

►Medieval Era called Kohrasan

Afghanistan’s Turbulent past 

►Over the past 5,000 years the nation of Afghanistan has been invaded and conquered by British, Arabs, Greeks and Persians, among others.

►Today, Afghanistan still finds itself in the crosshairs of conflict.

Historical perspective: 1980-present 

►In the 1980’s, millions of Afghanis lost their lives in the war with Russia.

►1989 Russia left the nation, leaving behind devastation and widespread poverty.

►Millions of Afghan citizens were living as refugees.

►Civil warring continued

Extremism and The Taliban 

► Varied factions of extremism in the civil war eventually led to the formation of the Taliban.

► Taliban dictated and ruled with brutally cruel, and socially oppressive hand.

► Taliban’s reign of control ended when U.S. and Allied forces invaded following the Sept. 11th attacks on the United States.

After the fall 

►Taliban leader Osama Bin Laden goes in to hiding.

►His unseen power and control remained a threat to the peace of the region and of terror to the world.

►Bin Laden killed May 1, 2011

Government

► In 2004, Hamid Karzai was the first democratically elected as president of Afghanistan; still is today

►Supreme Court is appointed by the president

►The National Assembly is comprised of two bodies: House of People House of Elders

►The UN and other international organizations play a large role in rebuilding democracy in the nation

Political Parties

►There are many political parties, some of the major ones include: Republic Party of Afghanistan Islamic Society Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan Islamic Party Islamic United Party of Afghanistan

Geography of the land

►Hindukush (Hindu Killer) Mountains run North and South. Name reflects the large number of Hindu who died en route to Asian slave markets.

►Mountains among the highest in the world at 10,500-21,000 feet.

Geography cont’d

►1960 construction of bridge spanning the Tang-e Gharu Gorge, and the 1964 construction of the Kotal-e Salang mountain tunnel pass has important impact. Travel from North to South became easier. Important routes for the travel of military

vehicles. The harsh terrain made it difficult to seek

and find extremist who hide in the mountains.

Climate and Impact 

► Afghanistan’s climate is typically arid to semi-arid ► Hot, dry summers and cold winters. ► Severe blizzards occur from December through

February. ► During the summer months of June through

September, strong winds prevail carrying intense heat and causing severe wind storms and drought.

► Typically during mid-day, the wind will reach velocities of nearly 100 miles per hour.

► This causes stifling sand storms that dismantle and create gigantic sand dunes.

► This phenomenon has caused great challenge to the Allied Forces as the blowing sand causes equipment failure and breakdown, and miserable conditions for warfare.

Transportation

► Transportation in rural areas: By foot By camel By donkey or mule

► Transportation in urban areas: Taxis Railway system Crowded busses that

also haul animals and produce

Healthcare

► 70% of the population live in “extreme poverty and health vulnerability” (WHO, 2007)

► Progress has been made since the fall of the Taliban, but there is much work to do

► Life expectancy is 46 years► 25,000 women die each year due to pregnancy

related issues► 85,000 children under the age of five die from

diarrhea each year ► Tuberculosis (TB) kills 70,000 a year despite efforts

of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to vaccinate (only 50-65% are vaccinated)

► Mental health is a large concern, stemming from years of conflict and violence in the nation

Education

► It is the goal of the Ministry of Education (MoE) that “by 2020 all children in Afghanistan, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary education.”

Education cont’d

►Under the Taliban the education of women and girls was outlawed

►Many girls still do not receive schooling due to conservative values that do not allow them to be taught by males

► Literacy rates are low, 41% for males and 12% for females

►Challenges facing education in Afghanistan are poverty, lack of materials, poor facilities, and inadequate technology

Population

►Population: 29,929,000

►Made up of various ethnic groups including: Afghans (or

Pashtuns), make up the country's largest ethnic group, Tajiks , Uzbeks, Hazaras, of Mongolian origin, and Baluchis can also be found in Afghanistan.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Map_of_Ethnic_Groups_(in_Districts)_in_Afghanistan.jpg

This is a picture of the capital and largest city in Afghanistan, Kabul.Population: 3,000,000 

Language

►Pashtu and Dari are most common languages

►Pashtu -National Language of Afghanistan (35%)

►Dari – Used for business and government transactions (50%)

►Other languages spoken in Afghanistan: Turkic, Baluchi, Pashai, Nuristani, etc.

►75% of the country is illiterate, however Afghan’s are wonderful story tellers.

►Bilingualism is very common in Afghanistan.

Religion

► Islam is practiced by the large majority. Sunni Muslim (80%), Shiite Muslim (19%), other (1%)

► Common Practices: Pray five times a day – dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset,

evening Friday is the Muslim holy day. Most shops and offices are

closed on this day. Government offices may close Thursday making the weekend Thursday & Friday.

Fasting from food and drink during the month of Ramadan from dawn until dusk.

► “Deep ethnic and religious divides are briefly bridged at the Hazrat Ali mosque in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, where Sunni and Shiite alike come to pray. The shrine is believed by many to be the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law.”

Personal Appearance 

► Modesty is observed by the majority.

► “In public, women must be covered from head to toe in a burqa, with only a mesh opening to see and breath through” (Newman Giger & Davidhizar, 2002).

► Embroidery on different types of clothing is a symbol of expressing individual and group identity .

► Even turbans have distinguishing  characteristics depending on the folds.

Characteristics 

►Men – Known as the breadwinners; all decisions are made by men in the family including women and children’s health care

►Women – Expected to do house duties; not allowed anywhere in public without a male; many restrictions are put on women, even after the Taliban regime

►Children – Child rearing is based more on negative than positive reinforcement. Children are expected to be obedient to all adults.

General Attitudes 

► Important Afghani values include: respect for elderly, individual honor, etiquette, standing in welcome, appropriate dress, and decorum.

►Most of the country lives in self-contained, small villages outside of cities and towns. “Beyond the bonds of Islam, there is not a very strong sense of national unity.” (Crane, 2009) 

►“Afghan’s say the lack of security due to the Taliban is the single biggest problem in their country, ahead of the economy and unemployment, high prices, and corruption.” (Crane, 2009)

Customs and Courtesies

The term Assalaam Alaikum (Peace be with you) is used when Afghans are greeting each other. Waalaikum Assalaam (Peace be with you also) is the correct response given in return.

Men meeting other men do so with a hand-shake, followed by a pat on the back.

When it comes to addressing elders or superiors using a title rather than their names is recommended .

Three kisses on alternating cheeks and an embrace is a practice used for women meeting other women.

Gestures

►Afghans use their whole hand instead of just one finger when giving directions to others.

►This gesturing is done with the right hand at all times.

►By using the whole hand, they avoid pointing at another person.

Visiting

► Afghans are known to invite others to their home for dinner.

► The front room is used for eating meals. The food and drinks are served by children.

► Male visitors, who are not considered an immediate family member, will never get to meet the women.

► Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering a home or building.

► The people of Afghanistan are known for their hospitality

Eating

In Afghanistan, the left hand is viewed upon as unclean, therefore, it is custom for Afghans to eat with their right hand only.

The food is piled and squeezed into a ball with their fingers before eating it.

Meal time at home consist of sitting on cushions crossed-legged. The cushions are located on the floor around the edges of the room.

Before the food arrives, an oilcloth is unrolled by a child out onto the central part of the carpet

Diet

►The Afghan people take great pride and are happy to see everyone feeling full and satisfied after a meal.  It is not heard of in Afghanistan to not have enough food on-hand to serve guests.  They do not turn guests away. (Qazi, 2009).

► Food is very well appreciated and has a special meaning.  Spices used in the foods are neither too hot or too bland.  Their cooking is not about exact measurement.  Ingredients can be substituted or adjusted for taste. (Qazi, 2009).

Afghan Food

Dogh (yogurt drink)

Salaata (Afghan Salad)

Kofta Challow (meatballs and rice)

Bolaanee (leek and/or potato fillled pockets

Dating in Afghanistan

The following is true about dating in Afghanistan: (Martin, 2006 and Sawyer 2009).

►Men and women rarely meet without a chaperone.  Although this is true, Sawyer did a short news story on ABC News in May 2007, about a place in Kabul where young men and women go to meet.

►Social constraints make it difficult to find a “life partner.”

Dating cont’d

► How to meet and see each other is a problem as man or woman are not to look at each other in the eye directly, let alone have a conversation.

► Text messaging has made dating easier.► However, one female stated that if her brother

knew who she was dating he would kill her.► Sometimes because of money and status, marriage

is forced regardless of the wishes of the male/female involved.

► Sex outside of marriage is against the law. The woman can be sent back to her family or she can be killed if she is found to have had premarital sex.

Marriage

The family is the single most important “institution” in Afghanistan. It is all of the following: (Blood, 1997).

►Endogamous – with cross and parallel cousin marriages preferred

►Patrilocal – female moves to the male’s place of residence at marriage.

►Authority is vested in the males, along with inheritance coming from the male line.

Marriage cont’d

►Multiple wives are permitted, but not widely practiced because of cost.

►At times multiple wives may be taken to provide security for unmarried women or widows in the family.

► In the case of multiple wives, each woman has her own area in the family home in which to reside.

►Some resort to magic and/or charms to "guarantee" the attention of the husband and in hope for peace with the mother-in-law.

Family

► Extended families may include three to four generations.

► The family is the first or primary function as a support system.  A man and a woman are guaranteed individual, social, economic, political rights and obligations.  They are guaranteed from the time of birth to the time of death. 

► If a family splits up, the richer will send money or remittances to the less fortunate family members. 

► Family cannot turn family members away if they come to them for refuge.  Some small, single family living spaces have been stretched for up to 20 or more additional family members.  They would be also obligated to find employment for the family members.   

Family cont’d

In the rural areas women are seen as the managers of the food supply.  If food runs out the family may starve until the next harvest.  Therefore, the female needs to be sure the food is proportioned correctly.

► In most groups the male is dominant; however, in rural areas males and females are equal.  They work together to make a living.  For example with carpet making the male may herd and sheer the sheep, dye the wool, and market the product while the female may spin the wool and weave the carpet.

Recreation

► For recreation, many sports are popular.  Buzkashi, a national sport, is where the rider is on a horse.  The object is to pitch a dead calf across a goal line first.  (Qazi, 2009).

Recreation cont’d

►Other sports played are soccer, basketball, Taekwondo, and table tennis, to name just a few.

►Other forms of recreation include chicken fights, hunting and wrestling.

Afghanistan's Rohullah Nikpai stands on the podium with his bronze medal won in the men's taekwondo -58 kg class at the Beijing 2008 Olympics

The Arts

►The Kabul Museum held many of the beautiful Afghanistan arts until it was destroyed by the Taliban. 

►There were sculptures that were found.  One of those found was a sculpture of Buddha’s head.  Afghanistan used to heavily practice Buddhism. 

►Others found were made of baked clay and represented the goddess. 

Music

►Many songs and folktales written in Afghanistan were based upon the violence over the selection of brides.  (Blood, 1997).

►Afghanistan’s most loved musician Ahmad Zahir performing “Degar Ashkam Marez”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKxwD-plvGY

Musical Instruments

Daira

Richak

Zerbagli

Surnai

Holidays

►Afghans visit family and friends; they prepare huge meals and also attend prayers for many holidays. 

►The religious holidays are celebrated based upon the lunar calendar. 

►Other holidays such as Independence Day and New Years are based upon the solar calendar.

Holidays cont’d

►Eid Al-Fitr, celebrated after fasting►Eid Al-Adha, it remembers Abraham’s

devotion to God; Ashura, a day of mourning for the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussain and his followers at the Battle of Kerbala

►Mawleed Al-Nabi, a celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

►Nowroze, the first day of spring► Jeshen, Afghan’s Independence Day►Other holidays such as Labor Day and

Martyrs and Disabled Day (Qazi, 2009).

Drug Trade

►Afghan’s drug industry makes up approximately 60% of the economy.  (BBC News, May 2009.) 

►The country supplies 93% of the world’s opium which is the “raw” ingredient in heroin.

►Drugs fund terrorism and in turn, the terrorists support the drug traffickers

►Legitimate agricultural products cannot match the income available from opium poppy.  

Commerce► Afghan’s major trading partners are Pakistan, Germany, the US and

India. (Pearson Education, 2009). 

► The main industries in Afghanistan include the following: Small scale textiles Soaps Furniture Shoes Fertilizer Cement Copper Coal Natural gas Hand woven carpets

► Exports for Afghanistan include:  Opium Fruits Nuts Hand woven carpets Wool Cotton Precious and semi precious gems Hides Pelts

► Imports for Afghanistan include: Petroleum products Textiles Capital goods Food

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