For hundreds of years Afghanistan has been at the cross-roads between Asia, India and the West. During all that time, Afghanistan changed its name many times, but one thing that has not changed is the love the Afghan people have for colourful clothing, jewellery and embroidery. The materials, designs and colours used by the Afghans for their clothing reflect the central and strategic location of their country. This aspect is found among all the ethnic groups in Afghanistan, including the Baluch, Hazaras, Nuristani's, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Turkmens and Uzbeks. Each group has its own special way of living and its own history and background, which are reflected in their traditional dress.
Some of these garments are relatively plain, others are decorated with woven, dyed and embroidered patterns in bright colours. Some garments are made of silk, others of heavy felt reflecting how cold the temperature can be at night in the mountains. Although Western styles of clothing are becoming more widespread, the Afghan people are proud of their traditional dress and use it as often as possible, especially for special occasions, such as the religious Eid festivals and the New Year celebrations at Nauroz.
The exhibition included over thirty outfits, plus other garments and accessories, for men, women and children. There was also an unusual outfit for buzkashi, the aggressive game of 'polo' played by Afghan men on horseback. Also on display was a series of photographs taken by the Dutch photographer, Hans Stakelbeek, who spent much time in Afghanistan on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organisation of the exhibition was being supported by Dr Willem Vogelsang, former curator Southwest and Central Asia of the National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden, who workied in Uruzgan, Afghanistan, between June 2008 and January 2011. A digital exhibition based on the TRC display can be accessed here.
See also the TRC digital exhibition Afghan Dress (TRC, Leiden, 2017) and the TRC digital exhibition Dressing The Stans: Textiles, Dress and Jewellery from Central Asia (TRC, Leiden, 2017).
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 12th July 2016).
WV