lit kite runner Flashcards
Afghanistan
Ethnically diverse country
Pashtu and Dari are the official languages-spoken by 85% of the people.
99% of the population is Muslim-84% of Muslims are Sunni
Long history of ethnic hierarchy, creating imbalances of wealth, influence, and education.
Traditionally, Pashtuns have dominated the country because they are the presumed majority of the population.
Many other ethnic groups have not had a strong voice.
Society has a firm and structured hierarchy which dominates the inner-ethnic interactions and relations.
Hazaras
Reside mainly in the central Afghanistan mountain region (known as Hazarajat).
Makes up about 9% of population
Most are Shi’ite (Shi’a) Muslims
One the lower end of the socioeconomic scale
Most easily identified by their tendency to have light colored and almond shaped eyes and round faces.
They are possibly direct descendents of Genghis Khan, who invaded Afghanistan in the 13th Century.
Because of this, they are seen as “invaders” and not true Afghanis.
Pashtuns
Majority ethnic groups-constituting anywhere between 42-60% of the population.
Highest ethnicity on the social ladder
Dominates governmental bodies
Pashtu is their native language
Consists mainly of Sunni Muslims
Islam
A religion based on the interpretations of God’s words by the prophet Muhammad found in the Qu’ran (sometimes spelled Koran).
Followers of Islam, Muslims, are devoted to daily prayer (five times a day facing Mecca, the holy city).
Sunni and Shi’ite
There are two major Islamic sects: Sunni and Shi’ite (Shi’a).
The two groups are very similar, although the two sects have also had sharp political differences.
The split stems from the early days of Islam and arguments over Muhammad’s successors as caliph or leader.
They maintain a rather tense and hostile relationship.
Sunni and Shi’ite:
Sunni comprise about 85% of all Muslims
Shi’ite are the second-largest sect.
Iran is the only nation with an overwhelming Shi’ite majority.
The Pashtun (majority) are typically Sunni.
The Hazara (minority) are typically Shi’ite.
Thus, the racial differences are compounded by the religious differences.
The Tenets of Islam
Zakat-charitable giving
Hadj-pilgrimage to Mecca
Namaz-five daily prayers facing Mecca
Taliban
Very conservative Islamic fundamentalist faction. It is considered to be the world’s purest Islamic government. Based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Banned movies and television, photographs of people and animals, statues, stuffed toys, use of the internet, non-religious music and musical instruments, dancing, kite-flying, playing cards, and chess boards.
Said women are not allowed to work outside the home, attend school, and they must be covered in public.
Stated men must wear untrimmed beards and pray in the mosque.
Religious police enforce these rules, often whipping violators.
Politics
In the nineteenth century, Afghanistan ceded many territories to Great Britain.
1919-The Anglo-Afghan wars returned the ruling power to the Afghan monarchy.
1973-the king’s brother staged a coup to create a Republic.
1978-communists overthrew the ruler and took over the government.
Politics/Kite Runner
beginning of The Kite Runner, the monarchy is still in place and the country is relatively calm. However, chaos starts to erupt as the king is overthrown by his brother.
second half of The Kite Runner, the Taliban is in power, creating a much more volatile and dangerous Afghanistan.
Kite Running
Been a favorite pastime in Afghanistan for years.
Two-person affair
One person is the charka gir-who holds the wooden kite spool
Gudiparan baz-who controls the movement of the kite
Kite flyers stand on tops of buildings, fighting with kites from all over the city.
The objective is to strike down the kite of your opponent with the string of your kite.
Strings are made with wire or they are coated with glass.
