Cultural Awareness

1. Cultural Awareness Afghanistan

2. History Ethnic Groups Pashtunwali Code Economics Education & Leadership Socialization Behaviorin a Meeting Verbal Communication Non-Verbal Communication Public Protocol Do & Don’ts Outline

4. 3000 BC-2000 BC • Ancient Afghanistan serves as a crossroads between Mesopotamia and other civilizations. • 2000 – 1500 • City of Kabul is established • 522 BC - 486 BC • Persian Rule • 329 BC - 150 BC • Greek Rule (Alexander the Great) History

5. Ancient Crossroads

6. 652 - Introduction of Islam (peaceful expansion) • 962 -1186: Ghaznavid Dynasty • Turkic people centered in Ghazni • Introduced Dari language & Persian culture • Ghazni becomes trade and arts center • Base for Islamic expansion into India & Pakistan • 1210 – Mongol Invasion • 1227 – 1330: Territorial rule by Mongol chiefs • 1206 – 1526: Delhi Sultanate rules parts of Afghanistan Islamic History

7. 1747-1826: Durrani Empire • Beginning of the modern Afghan state & Pashtun ruling class • (1839-1852) : (1878-1880) : (1919) • Anglo-Afghan Wars (Great Game) • 1978-1988 • Afghan Soviet War Modern History

8. 1989-1996 • Civil war for control of Afghan territories • Taliban capture Kandahar (1994) • Consist mainly of madrassa educated Pashtuns • 1996-2001 • Taliban take control of majority of country • Al-Qaeda joins fight against Northern Alliance • Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (September 1996) Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

9. Pashtuns • Tajiks • Hazara • Uzbeks • Aimaqs • Nuristani • Baluchi • Turkmen • Kirghiz Ethnic Groups

11. Largest ethnic group (13 million/40%) • Taliban was Pashtun led • Originally an Iranian tribe • Southern & eastern part of the country • Dominate ruling group – past & present • Sunni Muslims • Speak Pashto or Dari (location dependent) Pashtun

12. Standard of behavior centered on honor & shame • Thousands year-old Pashtun cultural practice • Often supersedes religious practices Pashtunwali Code

13. Tribal Organization

14. Tribal Organization

15. 2nd Largest ethnic group (8.4 million/25%) • NE part of Afghanistan • Persian ancestry • Sunni Muslims/speak Dari • Northern Alliance Tajiks

16. Large Shiite Muslim group (2.8 million/10%) • Settled in the Hindu Kush mountains • History of oppression • Speak Hazagari (Farsi) • Mongol descent • Northern Alliance Hazara

17. Turkic group (2.8 million/8%) • Descendents of Turkic invasion (1000 AD) • Settled in the northern farming regions • Northern Alliance • Sunni Muslim/speak Uzbek & Dari Uzbeks

18. Multiple ethnic groups (1.25 million) • Turkics, Hazars, Baluchi, & Aimaq settled together • Sunni Muslim farmers & herders • Located in western Afghanistan Aimaqs

19. Two types of tribal counsels: • Shura - informal • Jirga - formal • Any man had the opportunity to be heard • Hierarchal structure: eldest son from first wife Tribal Democracy

20. Extremely poor, landlocked, dependent on foreign aid • Shortage of housing, sanitation, medical, or economic infrastructure and personnel • GDP: $700 (2008), Labor force: 15 million (2004) • Agriculture: 80%, Industry: 10%, Services: 10% (2004) • Wheat and cereal production along with fruit and nuts • Wealth of natural resources, recently projected at $1 trillion worth of mineral reserves Economy Overview

22. Soviet invasion & civil war impacts • infrastructure / agricultural / trade • labor / job availability / reconstruction efforts • safety & security • Internal conflicts hamper reconstruction • Security & corruption influences • Agriculture dependent Economic Factors

23. Formal Education lacking / Outstanding Intelligence - most Afghans historically illiterate/improvement lately - 10k+ schools: 1/3 female students - lack of quality teachers • Scholars/educators are held in high regard • Bring honor to the family/tribe • Religious credentials often determine leadership • History is localized & biased by experience • Religious leaders are considered infallible Education/Leadership

24. Households consist of man, wife, sons with families & unmarried daughters • Child care shared between female family members • Youth address elders by title • Nicknames commonly used • Everyone stands & greets someone entering the room • Specifics or factual questions should come after a thorough time of casual conversation Socialization & Etiquette

25. Meeting Behavior • Arrive on time but expect to wait • Greet everyone in the room; seniors first • Rise if senior enters or exits the room • Handshake may be soft/limp - conveys formality & humbleness • Accept tea and finger food • Expect “small talk” • Expect deference/silence when a topic is difficult or confrontational

26. Personal Interaction • Conduct business with the senior male • Converse with men in mixed-gender meetings • Do NOT shake hands with engagement attendees of the opposite gender • Expect hugs or 3 kisses once a relationship is established “First meeting, a stranger; second meeting, a brother”

27. Verbal Communication • Loudness conveys anger or domination • Remember to pause for translation • Do not expect immediate answers/decisions • Expect non-committal or vague answers

28. Non-Verbal Communication • Right hand is clean / left hand is unclean • Palm on right hand of your heart is a sign of respect / sincerity / appreciation • Holding hands & hugging conveys friendship • Showing emotions conveys weakness

29. Public Protocol • Show a picture of your children vs. your wife/girlfriend • Taboos include the left-hand or sole of the foot • Avoid showing open affection with the opposite sex • Western women not expected to wear head covering (hijab); it is appreciated • Breaking wind/blowing your nose in front of someone is rude

30. Religious Customs • Working mosques are closed to non-Muslims unless invited or escorted • Always remove shows if in a mosque • Men and women pray in separate places • Face west (towards Mecca) during prayer – try not to walk in front of • Refer to Mohammad as “Prophet Mohammad” – add “Peace be upon him”

31. Good Practice • Never attempt to interrupt prayers. • If you must pass a man praying, pass at a respectful distance. • Do not walk between a man praying and Mecca-always walk behind him. Keep direction of Mecca in mind

32. Good Practice • Be considerate during Ramadan • Do not eat or drink in public or offer food/water • Take your meal or drink privately • Do not touch Qurans or prayer rugs • If giving these as gifts to local Mosques, let Afghan government personnel handle them

33. Use the left hand for physical contact, eating, or gestures • Sit with the soles of your feet facing someone • Show a woman attention by addressing or touching her • Walk away from someone speaking to you • Express emotion in public • Beckon or point with a finger • Wear sunglasses indoors • Consume food or drink during Ramadan Don’t Do This!

34. Ask a man direct questions about his female relatives • Expect time awareness/punctuality from an Afghan • Expect Afghans to be able to read • Tell an Afghan he is wrong • Tell an Afghan you know he is lying Don’t Do This!

35. Shake hands in greeting & departure • Try all food offered • Expect to socialize vs. getting “down to business” • Recognize the host of an event and their effort • Recognize someone with a title - doctor/engineer/professor • Expect Afghans to have a different sense of time • Tasks will be completed according to God’s will • Give a gift in return for one received Do This!

36. Geographic impact on culture • Historical views & memories shape culture • Self/Group identification • Conflict factors • Social aspects • Formal/Informal interactions • Cultural Practices • http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/ Summary

37. Recognize the area you will be a GUEST in. Conclusion