A Vivid Contrast: The Ethnic Dance Heritage Of Venezuela And Afghanistan

Afghanistan and Venezuela are both countries with diverse ethnic groups and rich cultural histories, which are reflected in their unique dance styles. Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, with various ethnolinguistic groups such as the Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek. While Venezuela's dances originated in the Caribbean and integrated African and European influences into indigenous culture. The differences in these cultural backgrounds have led to distinct forms of ethnic dance, with Afghanistan's folk dances known for their beautiful costumes and Venezuela boasting dances such as the Joropo, Venezuelan Salsa, and the Baile de San Juan.

Afghanistan's Pashtun ethnic group and their Khattak sword dance

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, with numerous ethnolinguistic groups. The Pashtun are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, constituting around 47% of the total Afghan population. They are also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans and are a nomadic, pastoral, Eastern Iranic ethnic group. The Pashtun people primarily reside in northwestern Pakistan and southern and eastern Afghanistan, with large populations in cities such as Kandahar, Peshawar, and Kabul.

Pashtuns have a distinct language called Pashto, which has been an official language of Afghanistan since 1936. They also speak Pakhto, and Dari as a second language. The social structure of the Pashtuns is based on the Pashtunwali, a tribal code of honour and local interpretations of Sharia law. Hospitality, protection of guests, defence of property, family honour, and protection of female relatives are some of the most important principles for Pashtuns.

Pashtun culture is known for its traditional music, dancing, poetry, and storytelling. One of the most prominent Pashtun dances is the Attan, which is considered the national dance of Afghanistan. The Khattak sword dance is a specific style of the Attan dance, performed by the Khattak tribe of Pashtuns. It is a swift martial dance usually performed while carrying a sword and a handkerchief. The Khattak dance was historically performed by Khattak warriors before going to war and served as a war preparation exercise. It is characterised by swift and acrobatic movements, with dancers wielding swords and performing spins and twirls. The dance is performed to uptempo music featuring pipes, clarions, and drums.

The Khattak sword dance is an integral part of the Pashtun identity and has preserved its essence as a war dance. It showcases the physical fitness and zeal of the performers, with each dancer displaying their skill and agility. The Khattak dance consists of three separate phases: "bangarah", performed with swords, followed by "derabi", also with swords, and finally, "bulbullah", without swords, where dancers clap their hands in unison. The entire performance is a vigorous routine that requires great skill and endurance.

Venezuela's Joropo dance and its indigenous, African and Spanish influences

Joropo is a traditional folk dance from Venezuela, recognised as the country's national dance and song. It is a blend of indigenous, African and Spanish influences, reflecting the cultural diversity of the region.

Joropo originated in the 17th century when it arrived in Caracas from Spain under the name of Fandango. It was performed at parties hosted by prestigious people, such as cacao hacienda owners. Venezuelan farmers working at these haciendas were drawn to the music and began to imitate it, adding their own sounds such as maracas. They also incorporated their own dances with waltz variations, and the name of these parties changed from Fandango to Joropo.

Joropo is a mixture of Spanish, Indigenous and African traditions. During colonialism in Venezuela, enslaved Indigenous and African peoples would watch their Spanish enslavers dancing waltzes inside their mansions. As a joke, they created their own dance, mocking the waltz by exaggerating its movements. In this way, Joropo became a genre of resistance against the oppression of enslavers.

The music of Joropo is intimately related to the animals, flowers and landscapes of the region. Its lyrics, chord shapes and themes take inspiration from nature. For example, the chord shapes originally had the nomenclature of an animal's footprint, such as a dog, duck or tapir. The lyrics are poems describing the flora, fauna and daily life of llaneros (people of the plains) as they interact with their livestock on their farms.

In the second half of the 20th century, the Venezuelan dancer Jovita Nieto created new steps inspired by the movements of animals of the llanos, such as the heron, the tuqueque (salamander), the danta (tapir) and the picure (large rodent).

The instruments used in Joropo include the harp, maracas and cuatro, with some regional variations. The cuatro and the bandola are four-stringed instruments that are descendants of the Spanish guitar. The only real percussion instruments used are the maracas.

Joropo is not just a performance, but a story told through movement and rhythm, reflecting the soul of Venezuela's landscapes and its people's resilience. It is a powerful symbol of national identity and has become an expression of regional pride.

Afghanistan's Hazara ethnic group and their Persian dialects

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, with various ethnolinguistic groups such as Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek, as well as smaller minorities like Aimaq, Turkmen, and Baloch. The Hazara ethnic group is one of the largest in Afghanistan, with a rich history and culture that sets them apart from other Afghans. They primarily reside in the Hazarajat region in central Afghanistan, which translates to the land of the Hazara.

The Hazara people have a distinct identity marked by their Asiatic features and language, which is a dialect of Persian called Hazaragi. Hazaragi is closely related to Dari, the official language of Afghanistan, and is interspersed with Turkic and a few Mongolic words. The Hazaragi dialect reflects the mixed ethnicity of the Hazara people, who are believed to be descendants of Mongol soldiers left behind by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, with considerable Turkish admixture. This is evident in their genetic makeup, which shows close affinity to Turkic populations of Central Asia and East Asia, as well as Mongolic populations.

The Hazara community has a long history of persecution and discrimination in Afghanistan. They were once the largest ethnic group, constituting nearly two-thirds of the total population before the 19th century. However, due to political action and conflicts like the Hazara War in the 1890s, their population declined significantly. They were targeted by King Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, who led a genocidal campaign resulting in massacres, enslavement, and forced migration of Hazaras. Despite their growing political representation in recent years, many Hazaras continue to face systematic discrimination and feel like outsiders in their own country.

Hazaras predominantly practice Islam, mostly following the Shi'a branch, with significant Sunni and Ismaili minorities. Their literary traditions are renowned, with a rich oral history, poetry, and music that has been passed down through generations. Traditionally, the Hazara community was involved in subsistence farming, artisanal work, and unskilled labour. They have a nuclear family structure, with the husband as the head of the household. Hazara women are known for their bright and colourful traditional attire, and they have actively pursued education and played important roles in civic and political arenas.

In conclusion, Afghanistan's Hazara ethnic group has a distinct Persian dialect, Hazaragi, and a rich cultural heritage. They have endured a tumultuous history marked by persecution and discrimination but continue to strive for equal rights and peace in Afghanistan.

Venezuela's Baile de San Juan, an Afro-Venezuelan dance

Venezuela's Baile de San Juan, also known as Tambor, is an Afro-Venezuelan dance and right of passage. It is one of the country's many dances that originated in the Caribbean with influences from African, European, and indigenous cultures.

The Baile de San Juan is performed as part of the Fiesta de San Juan, a religious festival honouring San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist). This festival is celebrated annually from the 23rd to the 25th of June, coinciding with the summer solstice and the start of the rainy season in Venezuela. The festival involves religious and cultural activities, including processions, masses, and dances accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums.

The Baile de San Juan itself is a dance where men and women move provocatively to the rhythm of the drums. The dance is described as a "work of art in motion, full of magic, colour, faith, and charisma that nourishes the soul of the worshippers." In the dance, the man pursues the woman, and she, in turn, evasively showcases her skill with her hips. The dance becomes a playful courtship between the dancers, with flirtatious glances and rhythmic movements.

The Fiesta de San Juan is celebrated in various states of Venezuela, including Miranda, Aragua, Vargas, and parts of Carabobo. The festival is known for its vibrant colours, with participants carrying colourful handkerchiefs and wearing hats and scarves. The festival also includes fireworks, alcoholic drinks, and traditional songs with improvised lyrics that express devotion to the saint.

In coastal areas, such as Aragua, the festival takes on a maritime procession, with fishermen decorating their boats and carrying the image of San Juan Bautista in a colourful boat procession. This maritime celebration is known as the "Encuentro de San Juanes" and is a unique aspect of the Fiesta de San Juan in Venezuela.

The Baile de San Juan, as part of the Fiesta de San Juan, is a vibrant and magical expression of Afro-Venezuelan culture, blending religious devotion with energetic and playful dance traditions. It is a celebration that brings together communities and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Venezuela.

Afghanistan's multiethnic society and non-uniform culture

Afghanistan is a landlocked south-central Asian country bordering Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. It is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, with a population consisting of various ethnolinguistic groups. The main ethnic groups are the Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras, with significant populations of Uzbeks, Nuristanis, Aimaqs, Turkmens, and Baloch, among others. The term "Afghan" is synonymous with the ethnonym "Pashtun", but in modern times, it has become the national identity of the people of Afghanistan.

The national culture of Afghanistan is not uniform, and the various ethnic groups overlap significantly with each other. They have adopted traditions and celebrations from one another and share a similar culture. For example, Nauruz is a New Year festival celebrated by various ethnic groups in Afghanistan. The country's diverse ethnic makeup is reflected in its official languages, Persian (officially called Dari) and Pashto, which both belong to the Iranian group of the Indo-European linguistic family.

Afghanistan's society is strongly influenced by Islamic values, concepts, and practices, with Islam being the official religion and almost the entire population identifying as Muslim. The government is established as a Sunni Islamic republic, and Islamic doctrine governs the political, economic, and legal aspects of life. However, not all Afghans strictly observe the Islamic faith.

One's ethnicity is an important cultural identifier in Afghanistan and usually defines one's social organisation. While the Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group, making up around 40-50% of the population, there is significant diversity, with other notable groups including the Tajiks (around 25-27%), Hazaras (around 18-19%), and Uzbeks (around 1.3-2 million). The different ethnic groups are distributed across the country, with the Pashtuns mainly concentrated in southern and eastern Afghanistan, the Tajiks in the northeast and west, the Hazaras in the central "Hazarajat" region, and the Uzbeks in the north. The city of Kabul is known for its ethnic diversity, with large populations of the major ethnic groups residing there.

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