AFGHANISTAN

INDEX

SR NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.

1 INTRODUCTION 4

2 AFGHAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY 5

3 SOCIAL ETIQUTTE, CUSTOMS AND PROTOCOL 8

4 ECONOMY OVERVIEW 2010 13

5 WORKING PRACTICES IN AFGHANISTAN 14

6 EPAA TO EXHIBIT AFGHANI CARPET IN GERMANY 16

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INTRODUCTION

The story of Afghanistan is in so many ways a very tragic one. Afghanistan is one of the most
impoverished nations of the world. It is one of the most war-torn, most ravaged, and most
beleaguered of nations. It is a nation that has been beset by invasion, external pressure and
internal upheaval since before the time of Alexander the Great. Its people are a people who
have endured more than most of us can ever imagine. In fact, for many Afghanis, all that has
changed in the last one thousand years are the weapons which have been used against so
many of them. It is therefore with great sadness and respect that I tell the story of
Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has historically been the link between Central Asia, the Middle East and the
Indian sub-continent. It is therefore a nation made up of many different nationalities – the
result of innumerable invasions and migrations. Within its current borders there are at least a
dozen major ethnic groups – Baluch, Chahar Aimak, Turkmen, Hazara, Pashtun, Tajik,
Uzbek, Nuristani, Arab, Kirghiz, Pashai and Persian.

Historically the Pashtun nationality has been the most dominant. The term Afghan, for
example, generally is viewed by other peoples in the country to refer to the Pashtuns. The
royal families of the country were Pashtun, and today the Pashtun represent about 50% of the
total population. Tajiks come in second with 25%, and the rest make up considerably smaller
percentages.

Within the country there are tiny Hindu, Sikh and Jewish communities, but the vast majority
of this people are Muslims – and in fact many ethnic groups consider Islam to be one of the
defining aspects of their ethnic identity. This is true of the Pashtun for example.

Islam was brought to Afghanistan during the eight and ninth century by the Arabs.Prior to
that the nation had been ruled by various Persian, Greek, Sassasian and Central Asian
empires. It was not until 1747 that Afghanistan was able to free itself. This was the year that
Nadir Shah, an empire builder from Iran, died and left a vacuum in central Asia that a former
Afghan bodyguard, named Ahmed Shah, was able to fill. Ahmad was a Pashtun, and his
Pashtun clan was to rule Afghanistan, in one form or another, for the next 200 years.
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AFGHAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Islam

 Islam is practised by the majority of Afghanis and governs much of their personal,
political, economic and legal lives.

 Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon,
afternoon, sunset, and evening.

 Friday is the Muslim holy day. Most shops and offices will be closed. Government
offices and businesses may also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday
and Friday.

 During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are
only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking,
cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.

 Foreigners are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew
gum in public.

The Ethnic Make-up and Tribes

 Afghanistan is a vast country and as a result has a rich mix of ethnicities and tribes.
The Pashtun are Sunni Muslims who Pashtu. They constitute around 42% of the
population and are concentrated in Nangrahar and Pakhtya provinces. A large
population also live in neighbouring Pakistan.  

 Tajiks comprise roughly 27% of the population. They are Iranian in origin and speak
a form of Persian found in Eastern Iran. Most are Sunni Muslim. Most reside in Kabul
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and Herat provinces, although some reside in the mountains north of Hindu Kush, and
the Iranian border.

 Hazaris make up about 9% of the population. They are descendants of the Mongols,
and speak a dialect of Persian that contains many Turkish words. They are also Shiite
Muslims which led too much of their persecution under Taliban rule. Most live in the
Hazarajat region.

 Uzbeks live in the northern parts of the country and also comprise only 9% of the
population. They are Sunni Muslims and speak a dialect of Turkish.

 The Turkomen are a small minority with making only 3% of the population.
Baluchis are pastoral nomads who speak Baluchi, an Iranian language. They comprise
2% of the population.

The Family

 The family is the single most important unit in the Afghan culture.
Men and women's roles are much more defined along traditional lines.

 Women are generally responsible for household duties, where as men will be the
bread winners. In the cities professional women do exist.

 Families commonly arrange marriages for their children. Factors such as tribe, status,
network, and wealth are the major factors forming any choice.

 Families traditionally live together in the same walled compound, known as the kala.
When a son gets married he and his wife begin their married lives in a room under the
same roof.

 As with much of the Muslim world, the family is sacred and as such, is highly
protected. As a result, probing about the family is not advised.
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The Concepts of Honour and Shame

 Honour in Afghan culture defines the reputation and worth of an individual, as well as
those they are associated with.

 The head male of a family is responsible for protecting the honour of the family.

 The issue of honour drives much of the behaviour surrounding the protection of
women, modes of dress, social interaction, education and economic activity.

 If someone's honour has been compromised, they are shamed and will look for a way
to exact revenge for themselves, their family or group.

 The role of honour and tribalism has fuelled much of the disharmony in the country's
recent history - with one group carrying out violent acts against another, the victims
are forced to respond causing a circle of violence.

The Role of Hospitality

 Hospitality is an essential aspect of Afghan culture.

  No matter whom you are, if you visit a home you will be given the best the family
has.
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 This relates back to the idea of gaining honour.

  If you are invited for tea, which you inevitably will be, you will be offered snacks
and your tea glass will be constantly filled. When you have had enough cover the
glass with your hand and say "bus" (meaning 'enough').

SOCIAL ETIQUTTE, CUSTOMS AND PROTOCOL

Mixing Between Genders

 Free mixing between genders only takes places within families.

 In professional situations such as at businesses or universities, males and females may

be co-workers, but are nevertheless cautious to maintain each other's honour.

 Foreign females must learn to read the rules and live by them.
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  If a man speaks to you directly in a social context, he is dishonouring you. If

someone speaks to you on the street, that is equally inappropriate. You should avoid
looking men in the eyes, and keep your eyes lowered when you walk down the street
to maintain your reputation as a proper woman.

 Women must always dress properly to avoid unwanted attention. Always wear loose
fitting pants under your skirts and be sure the definition of your legs is
undistinguishable. It is also strongly advisable to wear a headscarf in public.

  On the other hand foreign men should note that it is inappropriate to initiate social
conversation with a woman, and one should not ask a male about his wife or female
relatives.

  Men and women should never be alone in the same room. If this happens you should
ensure a door is left open.

 Men and women should never touch one another under any circumstances.

Gift Giving Etiquette

 First rule of gift giving is to never give alcohol. However, if you know from first
hand experience that the receiver drinks you may do so but covertly to avoid shame.

 The first time you go to someone's house for tea, it is appropriate to bring a small
gift.

  If you are invited to lunch or dinner, bring fruit, sweets or pastries. Make sure the
box is wrapped nicely.
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 When bringing a gift be subtle in how it is given. Do not immediately give the
present but rather discreetly place it near the door or where you sit down.

 When it comes to wrapping gifts there is no special protocol. Green is good for
weddings.

Languages

 Afghanistan has 2 national languages - Dari and Pashto. Dari is the dialect of the
Persian language which is widely used in northern and central regions of Afghanistan,
while the use of Pashto is more prominent in the southern region of the nation.

 Other then these two languages, some people also resort to languages like Uzbek,
Balochi and Turkmen.

Arts and Music

 Local Art has spanned many centuries. One of the most famous kinds is the Gandhara
art between the 1st and 7th century based on Greco-Buddhist art. Since the 1900s,
Afghanistan began to use Western techniques in art. Afghanistan's art was originally
almost entirely done by men but recently women are entering the arts programs at
Kabul University.

 Art is largely centered at the Kabul Museum and the National Art Gallery of
Afghanistan located in Kabul.

 Traditionally, only men have been involved in theater acting. Recently, in theater arts
women have begun to take center stage. Afghanistan holds the 47th largest club in the
Middle East, the Jiffa Zayin, with a capacity of 180.

 Other known forms of art in the country are Music and Poetry. The art of making
carpets has been prominent for centuries. Afghanistan is known for making beautiful
oriental rugs. The Afghan carpet has certain prints that make them unique to
Afghanistan.
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Clothing

 The country's traditional male clothing usually includes a salwar kameez (dress),
lungee (turban), karakul, pakol, topi, kufi (hats), and a chapan (coat). Occasionally
some men wear or wrap keffiyehs on their heads. Traditional Afghan clothes vary by
regions and sometimes ethnicities as well as tribes. Most traditional Afghan attire for
women consists of a long colorful dress with round skirt.

 Women were required by the Taliban to dress in burqa while in public. Contrary to
popular belief, the chadori, the Afghan version of a burqa, was not introduced by the
Taliban, only required. The chadori is a pre-Islamic, and consists of a cap, chador, and
mesh face covering. They are heavily embroidered. The colours depend on religion,
and location. People of Kabul for instance wear the mid-blue. Very religious women
may wear black. The Taliban created a dress code based on religion, Muslim women
wore khaki color, and Hindu women wore mustard yellow.

 Girls at a very young age begin to cover their hair with a very light colorful piece of
cloth; many do this even while at home with their own family.
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Education

 Education in Afghanistan has recently been revitalized after the fall of the Taliban.
Primary education lasts about six years. If the students do well on the entrance exam
they are then admitted into secondary education, which is divided into 7-9 and 10-12.

 A new structure that allows eight years of primary and four years of secondary
education will probably be considered in the near future. There are approximately
10,000 schools in the country but some of them are in need of renovation.

 Higher education is provided by about 18 universities in the country, which includes

the American University of Afghanistan, Kabul University, Polytechnical University
of Kabul, Kandahar University, Nangarhar University, Balkh University, Herat
University, Khost University, and a number of others.

 There is also one military college, located in Kabul. Recently with help from
UNESCO over 1,000 women have taken the university entrance exam.

Sports in Afghanistan

As far as sports are concerned, various team as well as individual sports are popular in the
country, and the appearances by players from Afghanistan on the world stage are also
increasing. Lastly when we talk about sports in Afghanistan, we cannot ignore a traditional
sport referred to as Buzkashi which is played on horseback and has great fan following.
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Political System of Afghanistan

The political system of Afghanistan has seen a sea-change over the past few decades. The
land has long been witness to historic events and wars which has truly transformed the
prevalent political conditions of the country. In recent years the political scenario of
Afghanistan has long been predominated by efforts of invasion by the United States and the
United Kingdom and establishes a stabilized government.

Constitution of Afghanistan

a comprehensive analysis of the political system of Afghanistan remains incomplete without

mentioning its constitutional reforms carried over the last few years. The present day
constitution of Afghanistan was officially adopted at Loya Jirga on January 4, 2004. It
practically emerged out of the Afghan Constitution Commission initiated by the Bonn
Agreement. The constitution provides for an executive branch represented by the President
for a term of five years. The president will be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces
and should be an Afghan national born to Afghan parents and must not have any criminal
backgrounds. The formal legislative powers are vested upon the two houses of
representatives as the Wolesi Jirga and the Meshrano Jirga. The highest judicial court in
Afghanistan is the Stera Mahkama and its judges are appointed for a period of 10 year. There
are also high courts, lower courts and appellate jurisdiction of court.
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ECONOMY OVERVIEW 2010

Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved
significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of
international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth.
Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and
highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of
the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical
care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, weak governance, and the Afghan Government's
inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic
growth. Afghanistan's living standards are among the lowest in the world. While the
international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over
$57 billion at three donors' conferences since 2002, the Government of Afghanistan will need
to overcome a number of challenges, including low revenue collection, anemic job creation,
and high levels of corruption, weak government capacity, and poor public infrastructure.

GDP growth strongest in six years

Source: IMF estimates.

Afghanistan Trade, Exports and Imports Commodities

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The following are the major commodities that form the basis of Afghanistan’s economy:

 Export commodities include opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton,
hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems.

 Imports include machinery and other capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products.

Exports Partners

The major export partners of Afghanistan include:

 India 23.5%

 Pakistan 17.7%

 US 16.5%

 Tajikistan 12.8%

 Netherlands 6.9% 

Imports Partners

The major import partners of Afghanistan include (figures as of 2008):

 Pakistan 36%

 US 9.3%

 Germany 7.5%

 India 6.9%

Source: www.bakhtarnews.com

WORKING PRACTICES IN AFGHANISTAN

• The concept of time in Afghanistan is not measured as strictly as time in western countries.
Therefore, even though your Afghan counterparts may not arrive to business meetings on
time, punctuality will be expected of foreigners.
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• The Afghan working week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday. Friday is the Muslim
holy day and considered part of the weekend. However, it is not uncommon for some
businesses to also close on a Thursday.
• Afghanistan is predominantly Muslim and for this reason time must be allocated during the
working day for prayer. This may interrupt the daily business schedule; therefore you should
take this into consideration when making business appointments.
Working relationships in Afghanistan
• Establishing close personal contacts is key to all business dealings in Afghanistan.
Afghans prefer to get to know a person before entering into business with them and
committing themselves to business decisions.
• Afghans place great emphasis on respect and dignity, and are therefore cautious to maintain
each other’s honour. For this reason, younger colleagues in particular, must address their
business counterparts with the appropriate title and act in a respectful manner at all times.

Negotiating

 Negotiating can be a tricky, frustrating but often an enjoyable affair if approached

correctly.

 Always make sure you negotiate with the most senior person possible as they are the
decision makers. If you negotiate with someone more junior they may be there to
simply test the waters.

 As a rule Afghans generally negotiate with a win-lose mentality. The goal is always to
get the best for you at all costs.

 This means that there is always a stronger/weaker party. This can however be used to
your advantage if you play your cards right. Always start wildly high in negotiations
and very slowly work your way down, always explaining why you are dropping in
price but at the same time explaining the damage it is doing to you.

 Always appeal to their sense of fairness and justice and use the fact you are looking to
build a strong relationship.

 If monetary matters do not work then try pushing the idea that a deal with you will
bring prestige, honour and respect.
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Afghan Business Etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)

DO shake hands with your Afghan colleagues when arriving and leaving business
discussions. Should an Afghan place their right hand over their heart after shaking hands, it is
appropriate to reciprocate this gesture. When greeting a female colleague however, you
should always wait for her to initiate the handshake.
DO show respect towards your Afghan business associates by taking a sensitive approach to
proper behaviour and cultural gestures. Using the left hand to pass something to an Afghan,
for example, could bring shame to the individual and should be avoided.
DO dress suitably and in a conservative manner. This is especially important for
businesswomen, who must wear modest clothing that covers the arms and legs in particular.
A headscarf is also advisable.
DON’T correct or criticise your Afghan associates in front of other business colleagues, as
this may cause embarrassment and harm the individual’s sense of honour.
DON’T inquire too much about a male colleague’s wife or female relatives during initial
business introductions. To a traditional Afghan male, this is not considered a topic for public
conversation but rather a private matter and as such could be taken offensively.
DON’T be surprised if during business conversation your Afghan counterpart stands closer to
you than usually acceptable. An Afghan’s sense of personal space is less compared to most
westerners.

EPAA to exhibit Afghani carpet in Germany once again.

The Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA) as an executive agency of the

Ministry of Commerce and Industries informed of holding a three-day international carpet
exhibition which is to be held in Domotex city of Germany from 14th to 16th of January,
2009. Dr. Rohullah Ahmadzai, head of the public relation department of EPAA called the
aim of the exhibition introducing of Afghani carpets to foreigners, providing of marketing
facilities to carpet industries and introduction of carpet traders and producers internationally,
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idea exchange among foreign traders and producers and attracting demands of the rest of the
world.

Mr. Ahmadzai stated that more than 2, 000 square meters of carpet from the all over the
country, would be exhibited in this fair with the financial assistance of German Technical
Cooperation (GTZ) and Afghanistan Small Medium Enterprise & Development (ASMED) of
the USAID. “Afghanistan will be taking part for the second time in international carpet
exhibition in Germany. The first international carpet fair was in 2007, in which Afghani
carpet came first among 80 countries from around the world.

This year two of Afghani carpets came in the shortlist round from the Kabul Carpet
Production Association (KCPA). “We hope to have similar successful result as last year,” he
said. Adding that the national carpet traders, businessmen and carpet producers would be
taking part in this event from all over the country, and even those Afghan carpet traders and
producers who are running their business from the Pakistan would be among the participants
in the fair. According to him, all those countries which are engaged in the carpet productions
would be taking part in the fair.

Mr. Ahmadzai mentioned that almost six million of Afghanistan’s population is engaged in
the carpet productions mostly in 12 provinces of eastern and western parts of the country.  In
addition to involvement of such mass of Afghans in the business, two to three percent of
Afghani carpets are being exported to abroad under the trademark and label of Afghanistan
which is big danger for the carpet industry in the country.
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SUBMITTED BY:

AKSHIKA LADHANI – 06

TEJAL PATEL – 22

HIRAL SONI – 45