Culture of Afghanistan by

food culture in Afghanistan

35210407 — 2024-08-24 07:20:30 UTC

Due to its near proximity and shared history, Afghanistan's cuisine is inspired by Persian, Central Asian, and Indian cuisines. While combining aspects of all, its cuisine is distinctively unique(McElroy, 2023).

Halal cuisine consists mostly of rice, Afghan bread, mutton, beef, chicken, and fish. Dairy items and ordinary vegetables combine perfectly with these. Afghanistan's national food is Kabuli Palaw, which is rice mixed with raisins, carrots, and lamb. ("Afghan cuisine", 2024).

Afghan cuisine is more than just a food source or a way to show affection and kindness to loved friends. It is also a way to know Afghanistan's history and cultural narrative (Central Asia Institute, 2017).

References:

Laurie, J. (2015, June 25). Parwana Afghan Kitchen’s Kabuli palaw. Gourmet Traveller. https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipe/chefs-recipes/kabuli-palaw-8270/

McElroy, L. (2023). Customs and cuisine of Afghanistan. Together Women Rise. https://togetherwomenrise.org/customsandcuisine/customs-and-cuisine-of-afghanistan/

Afghan cuisine. (2024, August 11). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_cuisine

Central Asia Institute. (2017, December 13). Afghan food celebrates culture and tradition. https://centralasiainstitute.org/afghan-food-celebrates-culture-tradition/

Medicinal plants in Afghanistan

35210407 — 2024-08-26 03:20:27 UTC

In Afghanistan, Medicinal plants are centuries old, and this treatment is still popular today. Boiling herbs is a typical way to make home remedies that may even be preferable to Western medication(Arizona Department of Health Services, n.d.). In rural Afghanistan, people heavily depend on natural remedies. It is cheaper and easily accessible in areas with few health clinics and poor transportation. Medicinal plant reserves can also be useful in social disturbance, war, or civil unrest（Kassam, 2010, PP817–829).

Coughing, toothaches, headaches, and many different illnesses have been treated using various plant species. For example, Asafoetida is an antispasmodic used as a poultice on wounds to prevent colds and aid digestion（Majidi, 2023, PP21-27).

References：

MDF Charity Fund. (2014, April 29). Afghanistan: An ancient culture. MDF Charity Fund. https://mdfcharityfund.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/afghanistan-an-ancient-culture/

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

Kassam, K.-A., Karamkhudoeva, M., Ruelle, M., & Baumflek, M. (2010). Medicinal Plant Use and Health Sovereignty: Findings from the Tajik and Afghan Pamirs. Human Ecology : An Interdisciplinary Journal, 38(6), 817–829. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-010-9356-9

Majidi, A.H. (2023). Medicinal Plant Diversity and Utilization in the Argo District of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. Turkish Journal of Bioscience and Collections, 7(1), 21–27. https://doi.org/10.26650/tjbc.1145726

why Afghan Women still facing family violence in Australia?

35210407 — 2024-08-26 11:49:06 UTC

Afghan male and female roles are traditionally quite distinct from each other. Women are in charge inside the house, and males are in charge outside of it (Metro South Health, 2016).

However, after migration to Australia, the country's society has changed to inclusive and non-discrimination. Afghani women have the same rights as men; women have the ability to work outside the home.

Therefore, conflict may arise from a woman's increased independence and could contribute to a rise in violent crime rates(Azizi, Lane, & Boyce, 2024, pp759–774).

Disrespect for women, a rejection of gender equality, and commitment to restrictive gender roles are common in Australian Afghan communities. These should be regarded as contributing factors to violence at home against women(Esmaeili, Richards, Marmo, & Zannettino, 2020).

References:

Tracey, S. ( 19 Aug 2021). The Taliban say they will preserve women's rights under sharia law. But what does that mean?ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-19/womens-rights-and-sharia-law-under-the-taliban/100386350

Metro South Health. (2016). Food and cultural practices of the Afghan community in Australia – a community resource. State of Queensland (Metro South Health). https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/242249/community-profile-afghan.pdf

Azizi, F., Lane, P., & Boyce, M. (2024). Afghan Women Refugees Enduring Domestic Violence Despite Finding Sanctuary in the UK. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 25(2), 759–774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-023-01098-6

Esmaeili, H., Richards, J., Marmo, M., & Zannettino, L. (2020). Afghan migrant community responses to family violence in South Australia: The interaction of Islamic law, Australian law, and the role of community leaders (Final report). Flinders University. https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/bitstream/1/20816/1/Report_ISBN_final.pdf

Low Vitamin D

35210407 — 2024-08-26 11:51:29 UTC

Vitamin D deficiency is Afghan refugees' most common health problem (Sanati Pour et al., 2014).

Both D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) are referred to as vitamin D. In addition to being often found in food and supplements, D3 is also generated in the skin by UVB rays from the sun. Some plant-based diets contain small amounts of vitamin D2(The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, n.d.).

The main reasons Afghan refugees have low vitamin D levels are their dark skin, clothing covering most of their bodies, and migration to temperate latitudes, which reduces exposure to sunlight. Individuals lacking vitamin D should receive daily dosage therapy, which guarantees a sufficient calcium intake. Continuous monitoring, management and sun exposure are also necessary. (Paxton & Singleton, 2024).

References:

Sanati Pour, M., Kumble, S., Hanieh, S., & Biggs, B.-A. (2014). Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among newly arrived Afghan refugees in rural Australia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 896–896. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-896

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. (n.d.). Low vitamin D.https://www.rch.org.au/immigranthealth/clinical/Low_Vitamin_D/

Paxton, G., & Singleton, G. (2024). Low vitamin D. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/low-vitamin-d/

My Reflection About Clinicians’ Respond

35210407 — 2024-08-26 11:51:46 UTC

This gives me a deep impression after reading Domain 1.1: “Clinicians respond sensitively and without assumptions to the diversity of individual characteristics and social determinants of health”(Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). This reminds me of the patient-centred care I learnt in the first semester.

Before, I didn't realise that patient-centred care also includes facing patients with immigrant and refugee backgrounds.

I feel very happy because it has deepened my knowledge of serving patients from different cultural and population groups.

As a nursing student, because I haven't really faced patients yet, I know I need to learn more about how social determinants influence patients.

In the future, I will continuously strengthen my patient-centred care practice when facing immigrants and refugees.

References:

Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. Competency standards framework for clinicians January 2019. https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4119639/mod_resource/content/3/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

Traditional Afghan clothing

35210407 — 2024-08-28 10:03:02 UTC

Afghanistan's traditional clothing is typically conservative and loose-fitting.

Typically, women wear dresses with loose-fitting pants called Tunbaans, which go down to their ankles underneath. A chador is worn to hide the hair. Only the most conservative ladies wear an all-covering burqa. Women dress more elegantly and often with intricate embroidery for formal events(Qazi, 2018).

The Perahan Tunban, a long, knee-length dress with loose-fitting pants, is the traditional male attire in Afghanistan. Men also dress in Chapans, which are calf-length, long, sleeves coats usually made of silk. Typically, Men wear various hats. (Zeenatwears, 2023).

Colours have great meaning in traditional clothes, such as red, which symbolises vitality, love, and passion(Aseel Foundation, n.d.).

Reference:

Afzal, L. (2022). [Photograph of Afghan Eid celebration]. In L. Satenstein, How one woman celebrated her Afghan heritage during Eid al-Fitr. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/afghan-eid-lema-afzal

Qazi, A. (2018, March 12). Clothes. Afghanistan Online. https://www.afghan-web.com/culture/clothes/

Zeenatwears. (2023, January 11). Afghanistan clothing culture. Medium. https://medium.com/@zeenatwears/afghanistan-clothing-culture-d2eb6382d1ee

Aseel Foundation. (n.d.). Afghan dress: Embrace the elegance of Afghan culture. Aseel Foundation. https://aseelapp.org/afghan-dress/

Characteristics of traditional Afghan music

35210407 — 2024-08-28 11:26:41 UTC

Afghan traditional music creates a distinctive atmosphere by combining elements of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian music. Using traditional instruments like the Rubab (a lute-like instrument), Zirbaghali, and Ghichak (a string instrument) is essential("Music of Afghanistan", 2024).

Afghan folk music is generally performed during special occasions like weddings and the new year, but not often during times of mourning. Afghans prefer to sit outside and play or listen to music while enjoying tea at the spring equinox, which is traditionally a significant time for celebrations and music(Ayenda Foundation, 2018).

Afghanistan's meaning of music is more restrictive than what we often consider music. It is never religious; it is secular and more instrumental than vocal(Sakata, 2012).

References:

Manizhaakbari. (2024, Apr 15). Folk music in Afghanistan. Afghanhub. https://afghanhub.net/t/folk-music-in-afghanistan/349

Music of Afghanistan. (2024, August 19). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Afghanistan

Ayenda Foundation. (2018). Arts and culture. Ayenda Foundation. http://www.ayendafoundation.org/about/afghanistan/arts-and-culture/#

Sakata, H. L. (2012). Music in Afghanistan. Education About Asia, 17(2). The Association for Asian Studies. https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/music-in-afghanistan/