Do you know Afghanistan just in terms of Taliban, terrorism, burqas, and beards? Well, Afghanistan is more way more than all these awful news. Undoubtedly, the name of Afghanistan is equal to the Taliban and terrorism. Afghanistan has been in breaking news for recent 3 decades. However, here you will get to know the interesting facts about Afghanistan that are not related to war. But these facts are about its history, culture and traditions.

Here are some of the most interesting facts about Afghanistan;

Poetry is a Part of The Culture

Poetry is an integral part of Afghan culture. For over 1,000 years, Afghans have been conveying their stories in the form of poetry. In the Western city of Herat, Thursday night is considered as poetry night. On that night, men, women, and children have got together and converse old and latest poetry and enjoy listening to the traditional music of Herati. Besides, they enjoy pastries and drinking sweet tea all night long.

Wildest National Game

It sounds weird that the national game of Afghanistan is goat-grabbing. Also known as Buzkashi. It is considered as one of the wildest games in the world. Both participants try to grab the goat and drop it in a marked circle while riding a horse. Were you aware of these facts about Afghanistan?  I am sure the majority of the readers are not aware of these interesting facts about Afghanistan. Let’s move on to the next.

The New Year of Afghans

On 21 March, Afghans celebrate their new year, which is called Nawroz – the first day of spring. To welcome in Nawroz, thousands of people travel to the Northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, (which is a pre-Islamic festival).

Local citizens raise a great Janda, which is an Islamic banner to indicate the start of spring and the New Year as well. With a smooth motion if it is successfully lifted, then it is regarded as a good omen for the coming months.

Afghans or Afghanis?

Do you know that the term “Afghanis” is used for the currency of Afghanistan and Afghans is a term used to indicate the people of Afghanistan? Isn’t it really one of the interesting facts about Afghanistan?

The Signature Food

The meal of Afghans is incomplete when there’s no “naan,” which is flat and unraised bread.

Muslim Dominant Nation

The prime religion of Afghanistan is Islam. 99 percent of population is Muslim. So Muslims are in majority. The remaining 1 percent population is Sikhs, Hindus, and Jews.

Second Tallest Minaret

Another interesting fact about Afghanistan is that World’s second tallest tower “Minaret of Jam” is present in Afghanistan.

A Big NO

In Afghanistan, women are not allowed to wear shorts, skirts and sleeveless shirts. Men and Women cannot speak directly when alone. Even they cannot shake hands.

Mobile Phone Coverage

Well, this is one of the really shocking as well interesting facts about Afghanistan, in which electricity is still not available to Afghans. Around 90 percent of the country has easily covered with a mobile phone, whereas the Afghans’ access to electricity is the lowest in the world. Afghans lives and culture is changing rapidly with mobile phones. Even though, the Taliban have access to the e-mail and Skype as they have Smartphone available.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

You must be thinking, what is the part of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the interesting facts about Afghanistan. For the majority of young Afghan men, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the poster boy. Photographs in which Arnold is clearly exposed off his muscles are hanged from the walls of hundreds of bodybuilding and fitness centers all across the country. According to some of the Afghans, the action star turned US governor resembles Afghan.

KFC

This one is really interesting and will make you smile. In Kabul, Afghanistan there are two KFC restaurants. However, for Afghans KFC is not Kentucky Fried Chicken, it is Kabul Fried Chicken.

Final Thoughts

Well, I really enjoyed these interesting facts about Afghanistan, and I am sure you also did. However, these are not all the facts about Afghanistan, and there are much more facts remaining that will make you laugh and amaze at the same time!