Landay Poetry in Afghanistan

Central to Pashtun folk poetry, Landay—traditionally composed and sung by women—is rooted in a culture in which knowledge, family values, customs, and beliefs were traditionally shared orally.

Pashtun Women Relaxing at Home (Photo: Tina Gionis)

by Elisa Cestari

The former regions of the Persian Empire stretched over a great part of modern day Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and were famous for the richness of their courts. Classical Persian literature and poetry were equally renowned for their stylistic elements and use …