1. The Kite Runner
Webquest

2. History What happens in 1921?
Afghanistan becomes an independent nation. The Anglo-Afghan treaty was signed, a treaty of friendship between Afghanistan and Russia
What happens in 1933?
Kin Nadir Shah was assassinated, ascension of his son Muhammed Zahir Shah
With whom does Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan make and alliance? Why?
Russia (Khrushchev), to help Afghanistan

3. 1973 was a pivotal point in Afghanistan’s history. Why?
King Zahir Shah deposed & Daoud Khan (his cousin) became president and prime minister
Why does Osama shift his focus from the Soviet Union to the United States in 1988?
They bombed one of his training sites just outside of Kabul
In 1992, Afghanistan endures yet another coup.
Taken over by guerilla forces (the mujahedeen). They can’t unite the country, it breaks up into several independent zones, each with its own ruler
Why do most Afghans believe the Taliban takeover in 1993 is a good thing at first?
Hope for a united country, and some peace

4. Why do more than a million Afghans flee to Pakistan between the years of 1995-1999?
The Taliban
What was America’s answer to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001?
They invaded, and appointed Hamid Karzai as president
What trends to you see in history?
War
People invade, then leave, lots of infighting
Favouring of Pashtun values

5. What do these suggest about life for the average citizen?
Life is chaotic
Literacy levels are extremely low
Few modern medical facilities (years of war doesn’t allow you to develop much infrastructure)
They live a more subsistence lifestyle
What do they suggest about Afghan national identity and values?
People become more loyal to their tribes than the country itself
How does the country’s “basic information” affect its national identity?
No real national identity
No national anthem, flag was abandoned
Years of war and trial fighting makes it next to impossible to unify everyone

6. Religion and Faith
What are the differences between Sunni and Shiite Islam?
Like the difference between Catholics and Protestants
Happened after Mohammed’s death
Sunni:
Recognize Abu Bakr as successor to Mohammed
90% of Muslims worldwide
Shiite:
Recognize Ali ibn Abi Talib as successor
Accept different oral traditions and have different laws

7. How is Islam integral to Afghan culture?
Afghans live their live according to the tenets of Islam
Family is super important
They make yearly trips to Mecca
What are the basic tenets of Islam?
5 Pillars: 1)Faith, 2)Prayer, 3) Zakat (charity), 4) Fast (Ramadan), 5) Pilgrimage (Haji)
Monotheistic religion (one god), Allah
Prophet: Mohammed
What other religions have similar beliefs?
Christianity
Judiasm

8. Why do you think these religions, if they are so similar, seem to have difficulty getting along?
Seems to be human nature to fear the unknown
We view differences as threats, not just differences

9. Daily Life (Dress/Food/Recreation/Economy)
What does an Afghan citizen’s clothing choices suggest about his/her position in the culture?
Before the Taliban, clothing which reflected Western culture was popular in urban areas, more traditional in rural areas
Especially at weddings, your clothing choice indicates your position in society
What does traditional Afghan clothing suggest about cultural values?
Based upon what Islam teaches – modest dress
Religion is important

10. How do Afghan recreational activities illustrate cultural priorities?
They’re violent
Teamwork and communication are essential – for them, the group is important
Describe the Afghan economy. What are its current challenges? Why?
It’s hard to develop any economic infrastructure when you are constantly at war
85% of population are farmers, much of available land seized for poppy crops, which is ruining the land
No industry, no exports to speak of
Astronomical illiteracy rates

11. Women in Society
How have things changed/stayed the same since the Taliban lost power?
Basically, a lot of laws have changed, but attitudes haven’t
Ex: women can go to school, receive health care, gain employment, and they don’t have to wear burqas. BUT…women are still under the control of their husbands, and many still wear burqas, partly out of fear
Women are in parliament and military
Honour killing still happens

12. Explore how women’s role in society has developed in the last 40 years
40 years ago:
Could wear whatever they wanted
Could go to university, work, etc
Under the Taliban:
Women basically erased from society
Now:
Women are in parliament, the military, in the Olympics and on t.v.
What challenges do modern Afghan women encounter? How are these similar/different to their mothers?
Still sold into marriage
Still jailed for offences men are not jailed for (adultery, running away)
Again, laws have changed, but women are fighting traditional attitudes

13. Tribal Relationships and Family
What role do tribes play in Afghan culture? Family?
Tribes provide protection, financial support, a means to resolve disputes
Developed along kinship lines (so you’re all related somehow)
On what cultural values does the Pashtunwali code place most importance?
“Pashtunwali” = the “rules” everyone in the tribe has to live by, in order to maintain honour
Honour, honour, honour
Honour depends upon: hospitality, revenge, women (keeping them in line), and money

14. What does it mean to be an outsider in Afghan society
What does it mean to be an outsider in Afghan society? Why are people excluded? What does this exclusion look like?
Excluded along ethnic and religious lines. Pashtuns on top, Hazaras on the bottom
People excluded because they look different and believe different things
Looks like: ethnic cleansing, confinement to one part of the country, few legal rights, barred access to social institutions
How is treatment of Afghan “others” similar/diferent from other cultures’ history of oppression?
Has happened throughout history. Dominant groups seem to always oppress those they deem unworthy
Holocaust
Russia under Josef Stalin
Rwandan genocide
America: pre civil rights era
Ireland: Catholics vs. Protestants