**Melodic Restrictions: Navigating Music Culture In Afghanistan**

Afghanistan has a rich musical heritage, with a mix of Persian melodies, Indian compositional principles, and sounds from ethnic groups such as the Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras. However, under Taliban rule, the people of Afghanistan are subjected to an extreme form of music censorship. During the Taliban's previous rule in the late 1990s, music was outright banned. Although the Taliban has not yet formally banned music again since retaking power in 2021, musicians are afraid and some have attempted to escape the country, fearing for their livelihoods and their lives.

Music censorship in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a rich musical heritage, with a mix of Persian melodies, Indian compositional principles, and sounds from ethnic groups such as the Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras. However, the country has a long history of music censorship, which has had a profound impact on its people and culture.

The Impact of Taliban Rule

The Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2021 onwards, has been marked by strict music censorship. During these periods, musical instruments were banned and destroyed, and playing music in public or at social gatherings was prohibited. The only musical activity permitted was the singing of certain types of religious songs and Taliban "chants," which glorified Taliban principles and commemorated their martyrs. This extreme form of censorship disrupted the lives of professional musicians, forcing many into exile.

Gradual Imposition of Music Censorship

The roots of music censorship in Afghanistan can be traced back to the communist government of Nur Ahmad Taraki, which came to power in 1978. During the 14 years of communist rule, music was heavily controlled by the Ministry for Information and Culture. The refugee camps in Pakistan and Iran, which housed Afghans fleeing the Soviet-Afghan War, also prohibited all music to maintain a continual state of mourning.

In the Rabbani period (1992-1996), music censorship intensified. Professional musicians in the city of Herat were required to obtain a license that restricted their performances to specific types of songs and prohibited the use of amplification. Women professional musicians were forbidden to perform, and religious police often interrupted wedding parties and other gatherings, confiscating instruments and imposing fines.

Current Situation

Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, music has once again been strictly banned in Afghanistan. Musical instruments are smashed and burned, and playing music in public or at social events is prohibited. As a result, musicians fear for their lives and livelihoods, with many attempting to flee the country.

Despite the Taliban's claims that their music ban is rooted in Islamic principles, critics argue that it is an extreme form of censorship that deprives Afghans of an important channel for emotional expression and unity.

The Taliban's ban on music

Overview

Impact on Daily Life

The absence of music has left many young Afghans feeling isolated and sad, as music was previously an essential part of their culture and daily routine. Students have reported feeling a sense of cultural dislocation and a loss of a means of self-expression, which has contributed to anxiety and depression. The ban has also disrupted social gatherings and celebrations, such as weddings, which traditionally featured music.

Economic Consequences

The music industry in Afghanistan has been severely affected by the ban, with musicians losing their jobs and struggling financially. Music-related industries, such as the production, recording, and sales of musical instruments, have also been harmed. Many musicians have been forced to abandon their careers or flee the country, resulting in a brain drain of artistic talent.

Social and Cultural Impact

Music has been an integral part of Afghan culture for centuries, and its prohibition has deprived Afghans of a means of self-expression and a way to connect with their cultural identity. It has also impacted the livelihoods of artists and musicians, who face severe risks if they continue to practice their craft. Those who are caught playing or listening to music can be beaten, jailed, or even executed. Despite these risks, some musicians continue to perform in secret or distribute their work through underground networks.

Rationale for the Ban

The Taliban justifies the ban on music by claiming that it is idolatrous and causes moral corruption. They believe that music is a form of corruption that displeases God and goes against their interpretation of Islamic law. However, Islamic scholars reject this reasoning, arguing that there is no definitive ruling about music in the Koran.

Afghanistan's rich musical heritage

Afghanistan has a rich and diverse musical heritage, with a wide range of classical, folk, and modern popular music. The country's music is heavily influenced by Persian and Indian classical music traditions, as well as the cultural sounds of various ethnic groups such as the Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras. Afghanistan's classical music, in particular, shares strong ties with Hindustani classical music and draws its lyrics from classical Persian poetry.

The multi-ethnic city of Kabul, with its long history as a cultural hub, has played a significant role in shaping Afghanistan's musical landscape. However, the city of Herat, with its musical traditions closely tied to Iranian music, has also been a focal point for outsiders seeking to understand Afghan music.

Afghanistan's musical heritage is closely associated with a variety of instruments, including the Indian tablas, long-necked lutes, and the rubab, a short-necked lute considered the national instrument. The country's folk music is particularly instrumental, with percussion instruments like the dhol and stringed instruments like the ghichak commonly used.

The meaning of "music" in Afghanistan differs from the Western definition and is largely secular and instrumental. It is performed by professional musicians or, occasionally, amateurs, and is separate from unaccompanied religious singing or recitations, which are not considered music.

Afghanistan's musical traditions have faced significant challenges under Taliban rule, with music censorship and bans implemented during their periods in power. Despite these obstacles, Afghanistan's rich musical heritage continues to be an important part of the country's culture, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote it both within the country and internationally.

The impact of music censorship on Afghan musicians

Afghanistan has a rich musical heritage, with a mix of Persian melodies, Indian compositional principles, and sounds from various ethnic groups. However, under Taliban rule, the country's musicians have faced extreme censorship and suppression of their art.

The Taliban's censorship of music in Afghanistan has had a profound impact on the country's musicians, disrupting their lives and livelihoods and forcing many into exile. During the Taliban's initial rule from 1996 to 2001, musical instruments were banned and destroyed, and only certain types of religious songs and Taliban "chants" were permitted. This effectively silenced Afghanistan's thriving music scene, with musicians facing harsh punishments for non-compliance.

In the years following the Taliban's initial rule, there was a rebirth of music in Afghanistan. The fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 brought musicians back to the country, and radio and television stations resumed broadcasting live performances. Music schools were established, and Afghanistan's first all-female orchestra, the Zohra Orchestra, was formed. This orchestra travelled the world, performing at prestigious venues and events.

However, with the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the music scene in Afghanistan once again faced an uncertain future. While there was no official ban on music, musicians feared a ban would come, and some Taliban fighters began enforcing rules on their own, harassing and attacking musicians and music venues. This caused fear among musicians, with many refusing to perform and seeking ways to leave the country. The Afghanistan National Institute of Music, a symbol of the country's musical rebirth, was taken over by the Taliban and turned into a military base.

The impact of the Taliban's censorship has been devastating for Afghan musicians. It has disrupted their careers, forced them into exile or hiding, and caused economic hardship. It has also deprived Afghans of an important part of their cultural identity and unity, as music played a crucial role in social rites of passage and brought together the ethnically diverse country. Furthermore, the destruction of musical instruments and suppression of musical expression have had a detrimental effect on the country's rich musical traditions and cultural heritage.

While the future of music in Afghanistan remains uncertain under Taliban rule, there are efforts to support and evacuate musicians, and some musicians continue to resist and create music despite the risks.

The Taliban's destruction of musical instruments

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's music and arts. This includes the destruction of musical instruments, which the Taliban deems to be immoral and a cause for the destruction of society.

The Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law forbids music-related activities and has resulted in the targeting of musicians, instrument makers, and music institutions. The Afghanistan National Institute of Music, a leading music school in Kabul, has been forced to close its doors due to safety concerns. Its founder and director, Ahmad Sarmast, reported that "armed people entered school property" and destroyed musical instruments.

Visuals from the institute show damaged instruments, including drums and a piano. These images evoke memories of the Taliban's previous rule in the 1990s when all forms of music were banned, and women were not allowed to work or study. During that time, musicians faced threats, kidnapping, and even death.

The Taliban's recent actions are part of their broader campaign to clamp down on human rights, particularly those of women and girls. Religious police deployed by the Taliban have collected and burned musical instruments from across the country, including guitars, harmoniums, tablas, and speakers. Sheikh Aziz al-Rahman al-Mujahir, an official in the western province of Herat, justified these actions by claiming that music leads to the misguidance of youth and can "corrupt" people.

The destruction of musical instruments has caused fear and uncertainty among Afghanistan's musicians and music lovers. Many have taken their instruments home, fearing that the Taliban will enforce a strict ban on music as they did in the past. Instrument makers, such as those in the city's oldest quarter, Kharabat, face the difficult choice between escaping the country or risking their lives and livelihoods by staying.

The Taliban's actions have been widely condemned by the international community, including musicians, music advocates, and scholars. Despite the Taliban's attempts to silence music and musicians, there is resistance and a determination to preserve Afghanistan's musical heritage.

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