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Welcome to my Little Window of Afghanistan !

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Welcome to my Little Window of Afghanistan !

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Buzkashi, Afghanistan's national game, involves two teams on horseback competing to control and score with a goat carcass or, more recently, a leather bag due to concerns about animal cruelty(VOA Learning English, 2022). There are two main types: Tudabarai and Qarajai. The game is intense and physically demanding, with players needing extensive training to participate safely. Points are scored by bringing the carcass or bag to the goalpost. Winners are traditionally awarded money, fine turbans, or clothes by the game’s sponsor(Afghanistan Online, 2018). Despite its historical roots, the game has adapted to modern sensibilities while retaining its competitive spirit.

References

Afghanistan Online. (2018, March 19). Afghan national sport (Buzkashi). https://www.afghan-web.com/sports/buzkashi/

APF News Agency. (2012, April 7). Afghans play traditional Buzkashi game [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/j4hfaJq-P8I?si=FZpRO1m26Jj3rl_T

VOA Learning English. (2022, March 9). Buzkashi, Afghanistan’s national sport, returns amid crisis. Voice of America. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/buzkashi-afghanistan-s-national-sport-returns-amid-crisis/6473813.html

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Kabuli pulao, Afghanistan's national dish, is a spiced rice dish with lamb, glazed carrots, sweet raisins, and vibrant presentation. (Seddiq, 2023)

Recipe below

what you'll need:-

2–4 tbs char masala

2 teaspoons cumin seeds

1.5 lb lamb

350 grams of julienned carrots

250 grams of raisins

1/4 C sesame oil

2  sliced onions

4 chopped garlic cloves

salt

2 Tablespoons of sugar

3 Cups Rice

Method :-

Rinse and soak rice until the water runs clear.

Prepare lamb: In a pot, heat sesame oil, add onions, garlic, and cumin, then add lamb, salt, and water. Cook until the meat is fork-tender.

Cook carrots and raisins: Sauté shredded carrots until soft, then soak and briefly cook raisins. Wrap both in foil.

Partially cook the rice: Boil in salted water for about 4 minutes, then drain.

Make a sugar solution: Caramelize sugar in oil, add water, and set aside.

Assemble: Layer rice, lamb, and more rice in a pot. Add lamb broth, sugar mixture, and char masala. Place the carrot and raisin packet on top.

Steam: Cook on medium-low heat for 25 minutes.

Serve and enjoy your Kabuli pulao!

( I acknowledge that the recipe is not my own and would give all the credits to the rightful owner.)

References

Afghan cooks. (2023, August). Kabuli pulao. https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/

Seddiq, M. (2023, August 30). Kabuli pulao recipe - Afghan national dish. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/

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Afghan music is an imitation of modern Western music and India Music. The difference that it poses when compared to Indian music is that it varies on scales, note intervals, pitch, and rhythm. It is rather similar to Western music than Asian. Sadly, under the rule of the Taliban, all performances of music were prohibited.

References

Britannica. (1999, July 26). Afghanistan - Arts, cultural institutions. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan/The-arts-and-cultural-institutions#ref306631

Wikipedia. (2010). afghan music [picture]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Afghanistan#/media/File:Afghan_musicians_in_Farah.jpg

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Most Afghans prepare home remedies using herbal plants available to them.(Arizona Department of Health Services, n.d.) The Hing plant is a great example for this. Obtained from the roots of Ferula plants it is used to aid digestion, treat gastritis, bronchitis and kidney stones.(McGrane, 2021)

References

Arizona Department of Health Services. (n.d.). Community profile: Afghan [pdf]. Arizona Department of Health Services. https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integrated-services/refugee-health/providers/community-profile-afghan.pdf

McGrane, K. (2021, December 10). What is asafoetida? Benefits, side effects, and uses. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/asafoetida-benefits

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Principle health issues that Afghans face on arrival to Australia 

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Afghan refugees and asylum seekers facing multiple conflicts and civil wars often arrive in Australia with significant mental health challenges, particularly women, who report high levels of distress due to Taliban-imposed restrictions(Slewa-Younan et al., 2017). In 2021, 6.6% of Afghan humanitarian entrants reported mental health conditions, with the highest distress in those aged 50-69(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). The Australian healthcare system addresses these needs through assessments by GPs and specialists, focusing on psychological history, settlement stressors, and behavioural observations (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, n.d.). Professional interpreters ensure informed consent and confidentiality. Follow-ups and voluntary assessments are key, with sensitivity towards discussing traumatic experiences.

References

Australian Institute of Family studies. (2022, July). Understanding the mental health and help-seeking behaviours of refugees. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/understanding-mental-health-and-help-seeking-behaviours-refugees

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, November 3). Health of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia, mental health. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cald-australians/health-of-refugees-and-humanitarian-entrants/contents/case-study-humanitarian-entrants-born-in-afghanist/mental-health

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. (n.d.). Refugee health assessment » Australian refugee health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/refugee-health-assessment/

Slewa-Younan, S., Yaser, A., Guajardo, M. G., Mannan, H., Smith, C. A., & Mond, J. M. (2017). The mental health and help-seeking behaviour of resettled Afghan refugees in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0157-z

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Refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan face significant challenges due to Afghanistan's unstable economy and lack of government support. Upon arriving in Australia, they often struggle with language barriers, limited social security due to not entering the country legally, and difficulty securing stable employment. Afghan refugees' income averages $27,000 annually, much lower than Australian-born citizens (Kavian F. et al., 2020), making food security a concern. Unfamiliarity with Western food and cooking norms can cause distress(Wood et al., 2024). Access to affordable healthcare is limited, especially for poor families, female-headed households, and those with disabilities (Trani et al., 2010). These social determinants, including income, food security, and healthcare access (World Health Organisation, 2019), negatively impact mental health and overall well-being.

References

Kavian F. et al. (2020, February 21). Migration, stress and the challenges of accessing food: An exploratory study of the experience of recent Afghan women refugees in Adelaide, Australia. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/4/1379

Trani, J., Bakhshi, P., Noor, A. A., Lopez, D., & Mashkoor, A. (2010). Poverty, vulnerability, and provision of healthcare in Afghanistan. Social Science & Medicine, 70(11), 1745-1755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.02.007

Wood, J. M., Leech, R. M., & Margerison, C. (2024). The prevalence of food insecurity amongst refugees and asylum seekers during, and prior to, their early resettlement period in Australia: A cross-sectional analysis of the ‘Building a new life in Australia’ data. Appetite, 196, 107273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107273

World Health Organisation. (2019, May 30). Social determinants of health. World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

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Indigenous social determinants of health at GWVI

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For me, the most relevant aspect is competency standard 1.2, which addresses the impact of traumatic experiences on refugees and how to provide trauma-informed care (Migrant & Refugee Women's Health Partnership, 2024). Although I am not a refugee, I can relate to the stresses caused by the economic and political instability in Sri Lanka during the pandemic when I had to face my advanced examination. This experience deepened my understanding of the mentalities of immigrants and refugees and helped me to relate to them. I would build trust, ensure confidentiality, and use professional interpreters to provide better care. I now feel more capable of caring for patients from different cultural backgrounds, emphasising empathy and a trauma-informed approach. (Refugee Health Network, 2018)

References

Migrant & Refugee Women's health partnership. (2024, February 12). About the standards. Migrant & Refugee Health Partnership. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/competency-standards/about-the-standards/

Refugee Health Network. (2018). Refugee Health Assessment Template. VRHN. https://refugeehealthnetwork.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FINAL_2018_Sept21_On-Arrival-Refugee-Health-Assessment.pdf