INSIDE AFGHANISTAN

The way the people of Afghanistan dress reflects many important parts of their culture.  Many of the styles of clothes are influenced by the countries that border Afghanistan.  The dramatic climate changes in different parts of Afghanistan also influence the types of garments they wear.  Perhaps the biggest influence on how they dress though is the religious beliefs of the Afghan people.

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Modesty has always been a consideration in the way people dress.  Women in particular are expected to be covered up never showing bare arms or legs.  At a minimum their head & neck are often draped with a scarf in public.  Men have a little more freedom, but modesty rules still apply.  In major cities you may see some western influenced outfits, but the further away from the cities you go, the more traditional the clothing is.  During the Taliban rule "dress codes" became even stricter.  Women were required to cover up from head to toe when leaving the house! Let's explore some of the traditional garments you might see someone wearing in Afghanistan.

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The shalwar kameez is a traditional Afghan garment worn by both men & women.  It is a two piece garment consisting of pants and a long shirt or dress.  It is often made with cotton or linen.  Silk is used for special occasions.  The styles of the shalwar kameezes are often influenced by the region you live in.  Styles for men include the khet partug and the perahan tunban. The women wear different versions of a firaq partug.  All the styles include a top & bottom.  The designs are varied and interesting. Many are very beautiful.

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Although no longer mandated, many women still wear garments required by the Taliban.  The burqa is an outer garment worn to cover the entire body when out in public.  A niqab is a veil for the face that leaves just the eyes clear.  It is more common today to see women wearing a chador or hijab as a sign of respect and modesty.  A chador is a large piece of cloth wrapped around your head & shoulders.  A hijab is a head scarf that covers the head & neck.  Men also cover their heads with various types of headgear.  They include the turban, kufi, sindhi cap & pakul.

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As you can see, clothes from Afghanistan are as varied as its people.  Their wardrobes are based on cultural & religious traditions.  The Afghan people try to convey modesty & respect through the way they dress, but inject their own personality through fabrics, stitching & colors.

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