Dance

Dance styles in Afghanistan can be classified according to ethnic and geographic divisions. The Pashtuns in the south are famous for wild and virile dances. The Uzbeks of the north represent Turkic dance forms similar to those of other Turkic people. The Heratis have developed their own form of dance possibly representing past eras when Herat was the cultural center of the Islamic world. Traditionally, it was a disgrace for a woman to dance in public. They could only dance privately or in company of other women.

In south of Kabul, traditional style of Logar is popular which is characterised by surprise stops in the music during which the dancer(s) freeze, holding the pose until the music starts again. The most popular folkdances of Afghanistan are atan, ishala and natsa.

Natsa is a dance performed on happy occasions, often for amusement of others. Ishala resembles nata, but is performed solo by women at weddings and some other occasions. Women’s dance done in private often provides an outlet for frustrations faced by them as they mock some of the problems women encounter in Afghan society. Also women sing songs often teasing noted people in the family or community. This helps them deal with things for which the society does not provide them with an outlet.

Attan is considered the national dance of Afghanistan. It is a group dance performed by upto ten or more people accompanied with dhol usually played with sticks and sometimes the sorna (double reed pipe). It is usually performed by men and on rare occasions women also participate. There are numerous kinds of attan performed in AFganistan: Kabuli, Wardaki, Logari, Khosti/Paktia, Herati, Kochyano, Khattak, Pashayi (played with Surnai flute) and Nuristani.

http://www.easternartists.com/DANCE%202%20Afghan.html

http://www.virtualafghans.com/attan/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLflrGStfaY :VIDEO of Logar Dance