Afghanistan by Erinn Banting

Banting, E. (2003). Afghanistan. New York: Crabtree Pub.

This book is an introduction to the country of Afghanistan. Most of the illustrations are photographs of smiling faces - a teacher in modern dress, a woman in a blue hijab (a loose-fitting scarf) embracing her friend and kissing her on the cheek, a group of women and children getting ready for a wedding, and a boy pouring water for another boy to wash his hands.  Other illustrations are the red and white embroidered fabric, a red carpet being cleaned for sale, farmers separating grain from the chaff, a Persian miniature, the statue of Buddha, tent cities full of refugees, a traditional felt home called a "yurt." and a camel used by nomads.

The photographs are realistic and spark interest in the accompanying explanations about the history of the country, the customs and traditions, the various ethnic groups in the country, the political changes, and the food, clothing, and celebrations.

Here is a celebration photograph of similar photographs of people in celebration clothing in red, green and other bright colors <http://www.indiana.edu/~ceus/_undergraduates/images/celebration.JPG>. Here is the same photo with a page of the Pasto script:<http://meddic.jp/Pashto>.

It is refreshing to look at babies' faces, naan bread, melons, plums and apricots instead of the military uniforms and tanks in Afghanistan.  By exploring the geography, history, and people of Afghanistan, children can learn about the people behind the news stories and share the people's hope of recovery from war.

Activities:

1.  Have the children compare the demographics of the minority groups in 2003 and 2014 and discuss the
     changes in the population groups in Afghanistan.

2.  Have the children look at the restaurant menu of a Middle Eastern restaurant on the Internet to see the          menu items mentioned in the textbook: naan, kebabs, rice, fruit - and choose their dinner from the menu.

3.  Ask the children to design carpet patterns and embroidery patterns as geometric designs.

Reflection Questions: 

1.  How difficult could it be for people with different languages, traditions and customs to get along 
      in Afghanistan?  What are the benefits and disadvantages of diversity in a country?

2.  What is a tribe and how does tribal membership change someone's life?

3.  How does women's clothing affect the impressions other people have of them? How does a 
     woman in a complete veil differ from a woman in a scarf and from a woman with no head 
     covering?  Who makes the decision in what women in Afghanistan wear?