lit Flashcards
What is the ethnic composition of Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is an ethnically diverse country with a long history of ethnic hierarchy.
What are the official languages of Afghanistan?
Pashtu and Dari are the official languages, spoken by 85% of the population.
What is the predominant religion in Afghanistan?
99% of the population is Muslim, with 84% of Muslims being Sunni.
What is the socio-economic status of Hazaras?
Hazaras make up about 9% of the population and are on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale.
What are the main characteristics of Hazaras?
Hazaras are mostly Shi’ite Muslims and are identified by light-colored, almond-shaped eyes and round faces.
What is the population percentage of Pashtuns in Afghanistan?
Pashtuns constitute anywhere between 42-60% of the population.
What is the primary language and religion of Pashtuns?
Pashtu is their native language, and they are mainly Sunni Muslims.
What are the core beliefs of Islam?
Islam is based on the interpretations of God’s words by the prophet Muhammad found in the Qu’ran.
What are the two major Islamic sects?
The two major sects are Sunni and Shi’ite (Shi’a).
What are the three tenets of Islam mentioned in The Kite Runner?
The three tenets are Zakat (charitable giving), Hadj (pilgrimage to Mecca), and Namaz (five daily prayers).
What is the Taliban?
The Taliban is a conservative Islamic fundamentalist faction considered the world’s purest Islamic government.
What restrictions did the Taliban impose?
The Taliban banned movies, television, and various forms of entertainment and enforced strict dress codes for women and men.
What significant political events occurred in Afghanistan in the 20th century?
Afghanistan ceded territories to Great Britain, returned to monarchy in 1919, and experienced a coup in 1973.
How does the political history relate to The Kite Runner?
The Kite Runner begins with a monarchy and transitions to chaos with the Taliban’s rise to power.
What is the Kaaba?
The Kaaba is a circular building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the holiest place in Islam.
What is kite running?
Kite running is a favorite pastime in Afghanistan involving two people: the charka gir and the gudiparan baz.
What is the objective of kite running?
The objective is to strike down the opponent’s kite with the string of your kite.
What are some common Afghani terms?
Jan (term of endearment), Agha (leader), Sahib (friend), and Naan (bread).
