Nomads: a changing way of life
Many Afghan “Kochyan” (nomads) inhabit tents made of bands woven from the wool of goats and sheep by women from these communities, who move every season between lowlands to high mountain pastures (or “Elbandans”) in…
Let’s fly together
On a breezy spring morning, nothing could tempt Afghan kids more to take to the rooftops or out on the hills than the prospect of flying kites. The wind during spring and fall is ideal…
The Shalamar festival
Afghanistan is a place of different cultural festivals and their celebration without doubt helps to bring communities together as they recognize a shared heritage, culture, and traditions. A resident of Kandahar Abdul Hamid Wolasmal explains:…
Season of blossom
As the city is filled with the fragrance of sour orange blossoms, hundreds of Afghans come together on March 31 to celebrate the Narenj Gul festival in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province. Narenj…
We are all Afghans – Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs
Early each morning, dozens of Hindus and Sikhs who live in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province head to the Daramsala (Sikh temple) to worship. Their prayers end with a wish for goodwill, peace and prosperity…
Community interaction in Nangarhar
To mark the start of the Persian new year and arrival of spring, people from different communities in Khewa and Kama districts, in the north and northeast of Nangarhar province, came together to get to…
Challenging traditions with respect
As in many other countries, the traditions that govern the lives of many communities in Afghanistan are discriminatory. Most traditional practices and beliefs are based on deeply-held views that merit re-examination to reflect the ideas…
Nowruz; celebrating togetherness
On Sunday millions of Afghans and others in the region marked Nowruz – literally, a ‘new day’- that heralds the advent of the new Solar Hijri year 1400, and the arrival of spring. The festival…
Team sports: an example for Afghan nation-building?
Abolfazl Gholami, 16, is passionate about football that he’s been playing for many years. For him, it’s not just about physical wellbeing. “It gives meaning to my life, through the valuable friendships that I’ve made…