Afghan Culture

George, Josh, and Dan

 Table of Contents
1. Geography
2. People
3. Languages
4. Religion
5. Rural Life
6. Sports and Pastimes
7. Education
8. Health
9. Art and Architecture
10. Movie Clip
Geography

Located in central Asia

Bordered by six countries
China
Iran
Pakistan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Geography
Landlocked nation
(slightly smaller than
Texas)
Total Population: 31
Million
Capital: Kabul
 Geography
Mountainous
Hindu Kush: main
mountain range
Climate: cold winters
and arid summers
 People
Major Ethnic Groups
Pashtuns- 42%
Takijs- 27%
Uzbeks- 9%
Hazaras- 9%
Others- 13%
Languages
Most Afghans are
bilingual
Main Languages
Dari- 50%
Pashtu- 35%
Turkic- 11%
Religion
The religion practiced
by most Afghans is
Islam
99% of Afghans are
Muslim
 Rural Life
About of the
Afghan population
consists of farmers
and nomads
Only 12% of land is
arable
What problems might
some farmers
encounter?
 Sports and Pastimes
Buzkashi is the
national sport of
Afghanistan
Team game played on
horseback
Kite-fighting
Participants try to cut
through the strings of
their opponents
Education
67% of boys go to school
37% of girls go to school
Constraints of attendance
Lack of teachers
Distance
Cultural constraints
Not enough schools
Health
Average life
expectancy: 42
1 in 4 children dies
before the age of 5
Many lack access to
basic healthcare
 Art and Architecture
Influenced by western
techniques since
1900s
Centered at the Kabul
Museum
Two famous mosques
are in Herat and
Mazar-e Sharif
Famous for its light
blue-green tile work
 The Kite Runner

Movie depicting the hardships and cultural

attributes of Afghanistan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW7a
GiuKZaU&feature=related