The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-07-20

prepared by the National Geographic
Society. Washington. d. Co.
A FGHANISTAN, one of the most
"A secluded of the larger coun-
L y tries of Asia, has come more
into world consciousness in re-
cent months than ever before because
Europe. Until this occasion these
monarchs had never been outside their
native land, and their trip through
Europe was made up of series of
amazing adventures. A journey by an
American through Afghanistan would
be little less amazing.
Authorities differ as to the exact
origin of the Afghans, but the old
theory that they are of Semitic extrac-
tion is now discredited; it seems more
probable that they are merely mix
tue of Turanian tribes, developed here
through many centuries of raids, mi
grations, and tribal changes.
In physical appearance the Afghan
is sort of Turco-Iranian type, the
minor tribal divisions in the east of
the country showing also mixture of
Indian blood. (The name afghan"
or "Agwan,". is of comparatively re-
cent usage.) -
The culture of the country is largely
Persian but an eager desire for learn
ing is innate in every Afghan, and of
late years not only Indian, but also
British, culture and customs have be-
| gun to influence the better classes of
the people.
The Afghans call their language
"Pushtoo." For official matters, how
ever, the Persian idiom is used and
understood over most of the country.
The Turkish and Monaghan tribes in
western and central Afghanistan speak
their own tongues. The ruling Amir
knows Persian, some Pushtoo and
Turkish. ~
Foreign newspapers, most of them
coming from India, are most carefully
read at the amir's court, where they
are translated by hired students
| trained In India. The amir delights
in illustrated newspapers and is him.
self fairly good photographer.
Jealous of Harem.
The Afghan is VIGOROUSLY jealous
of his harem, and few, indeed, are
the men Of the outside world who have
ever looked on the face of an Afghan
woman of the towns. With the desert
women, wives and daughters of the
nomads, it is different; the Koran per-
mitS them to go unveiled. The break
ing Of this custom by the queen on
her recent journey was deplored by
many Moslems.
The Afghan works no more than is
absolutely necessary to make his liv-
ing. The upper classes consider it
their privilege to exploit the poor. and
the burden of taxation is very heavy.
AS for entertainment, the people, es-
pecially the wealthy, are fond of
games and of sports. Hunting, horse
racing, wrestling matches, and gym
nastic games are popular Recently,
football and tennis have been adopted
by the upper-class youngsters of Ka-
bul. Ram fights, cock-fghting, and
favorite diversions, and throughout
all Afghanistan dancing is INDUCED
in and the public defamation of bal
lads is warmly applauded
Every better-class Afghan owns a
piano, imported from Bombay, which
he plays with one finger, keeping his
foot on the loud pedal constantly.
When an outsider plays for them,
using ten fingers at time, they are
overcome with amazement and admi.
ration. A tale is told of one man at
Kabul who sawed the legs off his
grand piano, so that he might play 1t
while sitting on the floor, Afghan
fashion.
Costumes vary in different parts Of
the country. In the East the gar
ments approach the Indian style, and
Of late years few natives have even
appeared in European dress. A dec
ade ago the amir introduced Euro
pean uniforms and suits for himself
and his whole staff of officials.
European hats and uniforms of all
styles, imported in quantities from
India, are often worn in the most sim
| gular combinations.
The typical national dress of the
Afghan consists of a long-tailed cal
leo shirt, white pants, leather shoes or
boots, and tanned sheep skin coat
deliberately embroidered with yellow
silk; this coat is sometimes replaced
by long toga of red cloth.
Three kinds of headgear are GUS
tomary. Some wear a low, many-col.
ored cap; others blue or white tur-
ban, which is frequently god-embroid-
cred with flap hanging down behind
to protect the neck from the sun. In
some provinces men wear the kullah,