Customs and Traditions
Because of its location, the nation has long served as a battlefield for advancing armies and conquerors. The Afghan people are particularly distinctive in some of the practices and traditions they uphold as a result of this recurrent feature.
- The people of Afghanistan adhere to Islamic teachings and have a strong belief in an all-powerful God. They hold that every "believer" is allowed by Islamic law, under the direction of the caliph, to keep weaponry. This requirement primarily results from the location's challenging terrain and challenging living circumstances in the mountains.
- Afghans are notorious for showing intense allegiance to the clans and tribes that make up their various groups, and their identification with Afghanistan as a whole is flimsy. They consider individual honor and responsibility as the cornerstones of social order, and they are incredibly welcoming and devoted people.
- Assalamu Alaikum, which translates to "Peace be with you," is the way Afghans greet one another. Wa Alaikum Assalaam is the response to the greeting, signifying agreement of thinking. The most typical greeting is a handshake, while additional options include putting your hands over your hearts and giving a small nod.
- In Afghanistan, eating is a unique experience, and people typically eat from the same dish together. It is traditional to eat with your hands while sitting on the floor. To eat with your left hand is frowned upon, and you should always leave some food on your plate to prevent it from becoming completely empty.
- In Afghan culture, men and women never shake hands or look each other in the eyes. Only in families are interactions between the sexes unrestricted; in a professional setting, interactions are permitted as long as they don't offend or degrade anyone.
