Afghanistan National Dance Attan

Attan (Pashto: اتڼ), the national dance of Afghanistan, is a traditional dance originating from the tribal Pashtun regions.[1][2] The dance is performed during weddings or other celebrations (engagements, weddings and informal gatherings). The Attan was also conducted by Pashtuns in times of war such as the British occupation and the Pashtun resistance movement, when Pashtuns used the dance to instil confidence and energy among warriors readying to battle the colonisers.[3] It is now considered the national dance of Afghanistan,[4] popularly carried by other ethnic groups in Afghanistan[5] as well as by the Pashtun ethnic group in Pakistan.[6]

Attan is usually performed with a Dohol, which is a double-headed barrel drum. The dance can be anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes long. There are many different regional and tribal variations and styles of Attan, the most famous being Wardaki, Logari, Paktia, Khosti, Kandahari, and Herati.
Depending on the region and tribe, there are different methods and styles of the Pashtun attan, for example Paktia attan and styles. Attan is performed traditionally segregated although in modern times, Afghans have performed the dance with both men and women.
Closely related circle dances can be found in the Khorasan and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces of Iran,[7][8] commonly known as Chapi or Torbati there ("رقص خراسانی"or "رقص سیستانی").[8][9]
Origin
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Most scholars believe the Attan has Zoroastrian roots, identifying the dance as a religious ceremony of early Zoroastrianism.[10][11][12] The dance dates back nearly 3,000 years and was performed during Zoroastrian religious ceremonies.[13][14] According to Zoroastrian folklore, King Yama, a figure in Iranian mythology, celebrated Nawroz by performing an Attan with his warriors.[15] During King Yama's time, Attan was performed before going to war because it used to give the army the confidence that they could win the battle. As well as being the national dance of Afghanistan, attan is also a very popular part of festivals, weddings, and other forms of celebrations.[16]
Some believe the dance is connected to Ancient Greece and the time of Alexander, connecting the Attan to the ancient Pyrrhic war dance.[17

Movement:

To the accompaniment of drums and pipes the dancers form a circle, taking each other by the hand or preparing to revolve in circles of their own. The dance starts with slow steps that gradually get faster and faster until it seems the performers must drop from exhaustion. However, the dance continues, sometimes for two or three hours at a stretch, with no breaks except a lowering of tempo or changes in the tunes and songs.[18]
What the Attan Dance consists of: The dancers gather in a circle, and then is followed by music which starts slow at first, and then gradually speeds up. There is a consistent beat and rhythm, and during that specific beat is when they clap inside the circle, so the movement of the hands is outside prior to the beat. It is then followed by the dancers bringing their hands out and then clapping inside the circle, and it is the same routine and pattern of movement, which then get faster. As the movements and routine get faster, the one clap turns into two claps, and the dancers who are more advanced, at times will add turns into the movements. All in all, they must keep the circular path with the clap on the beat, every other move added is up to the individuals who originate and add their own personal style to the dance. Common dance moves involve the extending of arms into air and the stretch and extension of legs. When extending arms into air, there are times when the hands are free or there is the waving of the regalia and extension of the attire to show the detail and color.

How talc from Afghanistan’s opaque and poorly regulated mining sector is helping fuel the Islamic State and Taliban.

Talc is a common ingredient in a vast number of everyday products; from cosmetics to paints, and plastics to baby powder. The lifestyle and habits of Western consumers is driving the demand for talc production – and the biggest single market is the United States. Our research shows that talc mined in Afghanistan is transported across the border into neighbouring Afghanistan where it is mixed with Pakistani mined talc before export. Some 40% of talc exported from Pakistan goes to the US; with the EU as another large market. Consumers and companies in these countries could, therefore, unknowingly be funding the Afghan insurgency

https://youtu.be/z9acG6aWCoI?si=ERz5y7f20rbbyN3R

Istalif, a small village located north of Kabul, is renowned for its rich tradition of pottery-making that dates back over 400 years. The village is nestled in the scenic foothills of the Hindu Kush mountains, and its unique red clay is known for its high quality and distinctive colour.

Local potters in Istalif create a range of functional and decorative items, including plates, bowls, vases, teapots, and other household items. Each piece is individually crafted by hand, using traditional techniques passed down through generations of artisans.

Visitors to Istalif can witness the pottery-making process up close, from the initial shaping of the clay to the final firing in the kiln. Many local workshops welcome visitors and offer demonstrations and workshops to teach the art of pottery-making.

In addition to its cultural and artistic significance, the pottery industry in Istalif plays an important role in the local economy, providing employment opportunities for many families in the village. A visit to Istalif's pottery industry is a must-see for anyone interested in the rich history and traditions of Afghanistan.



https://youtu.be/lI7c35ZZ6nk?si=V19Mq6T1zSIzXWym

A nawrozi song

https://youtu.be/mFdtu4ZwYwo?si=IOLNvtEtXgchztQ0