Cultural Awareness Afghanistan

Outline 2 History Ethnic Groups Pashtunwali Code Economics Education & Leadership Socialization Behavior in a Meeting Verbal Communication Non-Verbal Communication Public Protocol Do & Don’ts

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History 4  3000 BC-2000 BC Ancient Afghanistan serves as a crossroads between Mesopotamia and other civilizations.  2000 – 1500 City of Kabul is established  522 BC BC Persian Rule  329 BC BC Greek Rule (Alexander the Great)

5 Ancient Crossroads

Islamic History 6  Introduction of Islam (peaceful expansion)  : Ghaznavid Dynasty Turkic people centered in Ghazni Introduced Dari language & Persian culture Ghazni becomes trade and arts center Base for Islamic expansion into India & Pakistan  1210 – Mongol Invasion  1227 – 1330: Territorial rule by Mongol chiefs  1206 – 1526: Delhi Sultanate rules parts of Afghanistan

Modern History 7  : Durrani Empire Beginning of the modern Afghan state & Pashtun ruling class  ( ) : ( ) : (1919) Anglo-Afghan Wars (Great Game)  Afghan Soviet War

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan 8  Civil war for control of Afghan territories Taliban capture Kandahar (1994) Consist mainly of madrassa educated Pashtuns  Taliban take control of majority of country Al-Qaeda joins fight against Northern Alliance Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (September 1996)

Ethnic Groups Pashtuns Tajiks Hazara Uzbeks Aimaqs Nuristani Baluchi Turkmen Kirghiz

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Pashtun Largest ethnic group (13 million/40%) Taliban was Pashtun led Originally an Iranian tribe Southern & eastern part of the country Dominate ruling group – past & present Sunni Muslims Speak Pashto or Dari (location dependent)

Pashtunwali Code Standard of behavior centered on honor & shame Thousands year-old Pashtun cultural practice Often supersedes religious practices HonorBraveryJustice/Revenge ZealCourageSanctuary TruceHospitalityProtection

Tribal Organization 13

Tribal Organization 14

Tajiks 2 nd Largest ethnic group (8.4 million/25%) NE part of Afghanistan Persian ancestry Sunni Muslims/speak Dari Northern Alliance

Hazara Large Shiite Muslim group (2.8 million/10%) Settled in the Hindu Kush mountains History of oppression Speak Hazagari (Farsi) Mongol descent Northern Alliance

Uzbeks Turkic group (2.8 million/8%) Descendents of Turkic invasion (1000 AD) Settled in the northern farming regions Northern Alliance Sunni Muslim/speak Uzbek & Dari

Aimaqs Multiple ethnic groups (1.25 million) Turkics, Hazars, Baluchi, & Aimaq settled together Sunni Muslim farmers & herders Located in western Afghanistan

Nuristani Small population (100,000) Populated the NE mountains 2000 years ago Converted to Islam (Sunni) Farmers & herders Greatly hospitable

Baluchi Small population Nomadic tribes located in the southern deserts Constantly traveling Speck Baluchi, Dari & Pashto

Turkmen Small population (200,000) Sunni Muslim Speak Turkmen (close to modern Turkish) Herders & craftsmen Moved into the area in the late 19 th century - pushed out during Russian expansion

Kirghiz Small population (few thousand) Sunni Muslim Isolated by geography Speak Turkmen (close to modern Turkish) Herders

Tribal Democracy Two types of tribal counsels: Shura - informal Jirga - formal Any man had the opportunity to be heard Hierarchal structure: eldest son from first wife

Economy Overview Extremely poor, landlocked, dependent on foreign aid Shortage of housing, sanitation, medical, or economic infrastructure and personnel GDP: $700 (2008), Labor force: 15 million (2004) Agriculture: 80%, Industry: 10%, Services: 10% (2004) Wheat and cereal production along with fruit and nuts Wealth of natural resources, recently projected at $1 trillion worth of mineral reserves

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Economic Factors  Soviet invasion & civil war impacts infrastructure / agricultural / trade labor / job availability / reconstruction efforts safety & security  Internal conflicts hamper reconstruction  Security & corruption influences  Agriculture dependent

Education/Leadership Formal Education lacking / Outstanding Intelligence - most Afghans historically illiterate/improvement lately - 10k+ schools: 1/3 female students - lack of quality teachers Scholars/educators are held in high regard -Bring honor to the family/tribe Religious credentials often determine leadership History is localized & biased by experience Religious leaders are considered infallible

Socialization & Etiquette Households consist of man, wife, sons with families & unmarried daughters Child care shared between female family members Youth address elders by title Nicknames commonly used Everyone stands & greets someone entering the room Specifics or factual questions should come after a thorough time of casual conversation

Meeting Behavior Arrive on time but expect to wait Greet everyone in the room; seniors first Rise if senior enters or exits the room Handshake may be soft/limp - conveys formality & humbleness Accept tea and finger food Expect “small talk” Expect deference/silence when a topic is difficult or confrontational

Personal Interaction Conduct business with the senior male Converse with men in mixed-gender meetings Do NOT shake hands with engagement attendees of the opposite gender Expect hugs or 3 kisses once a relationship is established “First meeting, a stranger; second meeting, a brother”

Verbal Communication Loudness conveys anger or domination Remember to pause for translation Do not expect immediate answers/decisions Expect non-committal or vague answers

Non-Verbal Communication Right hand is clean / left hand is unclean Palm on right hand of your heart is a sign of respect / sincerity / appreciation Holding hands & hugging conveys friendship Showing emotions conveys weakness

Public Protocol Show a picture of your children vs. your wife/girlfriend Taboos include the left-hand or sole of the foot Avoid showing open affection with the opposite sex Western women not expected to wear head covering (hijab); it is appreciated Breaking wind/blowing your nose in front of someone is rude

Religious Customs Working mosques are closed to non-Muslims unless invited or escorted Always remove shows if in a mosque Men and women pray in separate places Face west (towards Mecca) during prayer – try not to walk in front of Refer to Mohammad as “Prophet Mohammad” – add “Peace be upon him”

Good Practice Never attempt to interrupt prayers. If you must pass a man praying, pass at a respectful distance. Do not walk between a man praying and Mecca- always walk behind him. Keep direction of Mecca in mind 35

Good Practice  Be considerate during Ramadan Do not eat or drink in public or offer food/water Take your meal or drink privately  Do not touch Qurans or prayer rugs If giving these as gifts to local Mosques, let Afghan government personnel handle them 36

Don’t Do This! Use the left hand for physical contact, eating, or gestures Sit with the soles of your feet facing someone Show a woman attention by addressing or touching her Walk away from someone speaking to you Express emotion in public Beckon or point with a finger Wear sunglasses indoors Consume food or drink during Ramadan

Don’t Do This! Ask a man direct questions about his female relatives Expect time awareness/punctuality from an Afghan Expect Afghans to be able to read Tell an Afghan he is wrong Tell an Afghan you know he is lying

Do This! Shake hands in greeting & departure Try all food offered Expect to socialize vs. getting “down to business” Recognize the host of an event and their effort Recognize someone with a title - doctor/engineer/professor Expect Afghans to have a different sense of time -Tasks will be completed according to God’s will Give a gift in return for one received

Summary Geographic impact on culture Historical views & memories shape culture Self/Group identification Conflict factors Social aspects Formal/Informal interactions Cultural Practices

Conclusion Recognize the area you will be a GUEST in.