Afghan Girl, a photo from Badakhshan, East

Photographer's Note

I dedicate this post to Gert as it makes me think of the characters from his book - Walls of Maimana.

She was one of the first group of kids we met in Wakhan. They came running to greet me but, while she followed the others, she showed little interest in the photos, except that she seemed slightly surprised that my lens was directed at her almost all the time. Her beauty stood out, in spite of her, typical for the children of Wakhan, rough skin damaged by malnourishment and exposure to severe weather.

Children of Wakhan rarely have smiles on their faces or happiness glittering in their eyes. Even when they pose for foreign tourists. These kids were no different, they were not a cheerful crowd (see WS) but the deep sadness in her gaze was exceptional even in such unhappy surroundings.

It抯 a widely known fact that the situation of women in Afghanistan is not great. Not in all cases - educated, progressive families let children choose their future spouses and marry at a reasonable age of 20+. Azim, my guide, was one example, as his school sweetheart was to become his wife a month after my trip to Afghanistan. Even after their marriage, in November 2019, she keeps working as an English teacher. She does, however, require her husband抯 permission to remain in employment.

I抦 pretty sure that in small villages in Wakhan this kind of modern approach to young people (arranged marriages affect all genders) would be unthinkable. While waiting for my Afghan visa in Khorog, on the other side of the border, I heard stories of Tajik men visiting Afghanistan to choose their wives, while they were still young children, 9 � 10 years old. The future grooms would, allegedly, part with hefty sums of several thousand dollars, to pay for their future brides. A few years later they would go back to collect their 損urchases� when they were at the legal age to marry in Tajikistan. And here is the paradox � those women, sold to marry abroad, were the lucky ones, to spend their lives enjoying the freedoms of the civilised world and, not any less importantly, the abundant goods such as nourishing food and medication that are in short supply in their country of origin.

While the rules of forced marriage apply to both boys and girls, women are the ones that suffer most because of poverty. I抳e mentioned before that there are no medical facilities in smaller towns and villages so the locals from Wakhan Corridor and Afghan Pamir have to travel to Eshkashim to see a doctor. And here is the thing, a woman cannot travel on her own. And what are the chances that her husband will abandon his work, such as ploughing the fields, that is intended to keep a multigenerational family alive, to spend a week getting medical help for his wife? This is not a hypothetical story. That抯 what I heard when we stopped for lunch in one of the villages and I was asked if I could share my medication that would alleviate symptoms of food poisoning with a local lady. At my suggestion that the woman should see a doctor I was told that was not possible.

All this is not the case because Afghanistan is a Muslim country. I know of immigrants from Buddhist Sri Lanka, living in London, who, until recently, would make their children marry someone chosen for them by their parents. It抯 also worth reading the book Burqa in Nepal is Called a Sari by a Polish writer Edyta Stepczak to understand the role of a woman in Hindu culture. All these issues are the result of extreme poverty so pronounced in Afghanistan, a country ravaged by a never-ending war that started decades ago.

Two more photos in WS.

holmertz, holmertz, Royaldevon, tyro, jean113, jhm, PaulVDV, PaulVDV, worldcitizen, sacimar, PiotrF, alvaraalto, alvaraalto, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (103584) 2020-05-04 6:31

Hello Kasia,
Thank you for this photo, and for the dedication. (And the PR campaign) ;-)

How could I not save this among my favs? It is such a wonderful, and very sad, portrait. It almost breaks my heart. A small girl with the eyes of a grown woman who has seen so much that should have been saved her. Looking at the kids in the WS I see a strong difference from in "my days". Children looked so much happier and more curious then, but possibly just as malnourished. But even in the poverty of those days there was a pride and readiness for a smile, even with children, that may no longer be there after all these years of wars.

The wrist band was news to me. Maybe there was a level of normal life during Najibullah, but there was also fighting all through his years at power. I really thought the days of normal peaceful life in Afghanistan ended two months after my second visit, when King Zahir was overthrown in July 1973.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Your notes beat all others on TE.

Kind regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (86400) 2020-05-04 6:46

Hello Kasia,

Thank you for your notes which add understanding to the photographs that you have posted.

The young girl has an expression of deep sadness, as you say, and an undeniable beauty.
Maybe she has already been bought and is wondering about her future life, with trepidation.

The group of children is also remarkable in its tangible, group sadness, or is there a sense of suspicion!

These photographs are just so moving, so honest.

I am in awe of you and your travels. Personal safety is addressed but you understand that there are still many dangers that are all part of the equation.

Many of the people of Afghanistan seem kind but are totally locked in a system of poverty and cyclic routines.

I recently read 'Lie Down With Lions' by Ken Follett, which is set in Afghanistan and although a novel, I always think he researches his subject well. The story takes place in the Five Lions Valley, is quite descriptive and gives a feel for the gender relationships.

Keep safe and thank you for sharing this,
Bev :-)

tyro (30513) 2020-05-04 7:49

Hello Kasia,

Your title, of course, immediately brings to mind that photographic portrait of Sharbat Gula, taken by photojournalist Steve McCurry, which gained widespread fame as it featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine. That, however, was a considerably edited and enhanced photograph. Yours is not.

But without this or your other pictures, it is your note which excels: it is a wonderfully personal chronicle of your meeting with these children and also a very knowledgeable account of the plight of women, particularly young women and girls, in Afghanistan.

Of your three photographs, your main one of this girl is most definitely my favourite: not because it is technically perfect with natural colours, exquisite sharpness and a beautiful "bokeh" - which it is - but it is because I can look into this girl's eyes and see a sadness, a loneliness, a yearning - and through them a heart and soul devoid of any childhood happiness.

And this is even reflected in your group photo in which this same girl stands alone behind a group of seven boys, lost in her own thoughts, her eyes diverted from you.

Your other workshop picture is fascinating too

This is a perfect upload for TE and one of the very best and most engaging I have seen for a long time. And even now, as I am about to conclude, I am wondering just how this girl is now, six months since you took her photograph. Those eyes!

Perfect!

You take care.

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. Of course, this goes into my favourites.

Silvio1953 (222847) 2020-05-04 8:41

Ciao Kasia, great portrait of lovely girl with fantastic eyes, sad intense expression, beautiful selective focus, wonderful colors, excellent clarity, splendid light and fine details, very well done, my friend, brava, ciao Silvio

jhm (211738) 2020-05-04 9:31

Hello Kasia,

Lovely portrait of this young girl.
You deed excellent, sharp and clear.
Lovely view with splendid colours.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

jean113 (28253) 2020-05-04 9:43

Hello Kasia, such detailed and informative notes. I have read them twice to help me understand life in Afghanistan. Excellent .
The portrait is beautiful; the sad face of the girl, it makes me wonder what she is thinking.
Her eyes speak volumes, she seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders.

The group picture too creates a feeling of sadness. The children seem suspicious, and again we wonder what they are thinking.
Thank you for sharing this very special presentation.
Kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (25018) 2020-05-04 9:44

Hello Kasia,

Excellent reportage together with your notes and the resemblance with Steve McCurry's photo is beyond doubt! It would sell as a NG cover photo as well!

Best Wishes,
Gy

lousat (139960) 2020-05-04 12:09

Ciao Kasia,as usual your post is a great report. I like always to read the note,where i discover every time new things. I never thought that the life were so difficult for childs there,the face expression of this girl talk himself,and the other too in the WS seems very suspicious. Thanks for the post and have a nice evening,Luciano

PaulVDV (63452) 2020-05-04 15:04

Hello Kasia,
On the thumbnail this portrait made me think of the famous picture taken by Steve McCurry but this girl here is younger and has no green eyes.
Yet it is a wonderful portrait but looking at it we all can feel that there is a lot of sadness and misery behind it.
Your presentation is excellent with a blurred background and not placing the girl in the centre of the photo.
Thank you for the very moving note.
Women continue to experience horrors in various parts of the world. A female friend of mine has worked in Egypt for years and also had terrible stories about women who had been forced to undergo genital mutilation (FGM).
Kind regards, Paul

worldcitizen (16226) 2020-05-04 16:51

Hello Kasia,
This portrait is haunting. It makes me want to bring this young girl out of her misery and to a better life. Your note brings to life what people in this region must cope with, especially girls and women. This portrait and this girl are beautiful, but the emotions behind them touch me with sadness. The smiley is for your excellent photographic skills, and for your daring spirit in visiting this part of the world...

jemaflor (148180) 2020-05-04 23:37

Hi Kasia,
a well presented portrait, perfectly framed and managed, good sharpness and brightness for eyes, interesting attitude and look. Beautiful colorful scarf, tfs.

emka (158744) 2020-05-04 23:57

cześć Kasiu, Napisałam długi komentarz, ale się nie zapisał. Wrrr.
Przepiękne zdjęcie i fantastyczna notka, kt髍a bije na głowę wszystkie inne posty na TE. Mogłaby być świetna okładka w NG. Nie napisałabyś jakiegoś artykułu lub może powinnaś wysłać na jakiś prestiżowy konkurs fotograficzny. Los kobit w wielu krajach, azjatyckich czy afrykańskich jest dla nas na Zachodzie trudny do wybrażenia, jak te aranżowane małżeństwa czy okaleczanie dziewczynek przez obrzezanie w Afryce, ciągle jeszcze powszechne. I nie zawsze jest to związane z biedą, jak choćby w Iranie czy Arabii Saudyjskiej.
Przyłączam sie do wszystkich pochwał i oczywiście dodaje do ulubionych.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie

MAłgorzata

abmdsudi (95869) 2020-05-05 8:33

Hi Kasia
A moving portrait and great sadly vivid eyes of a pretty young lady - a picture that really does say a thousand words,,,.
Best regards

sacimar (38173) 2020-05-05 9:15

Hello Kasia,

this is an excellent portrait of this girl, her face expression shows sadness and we can realize that only looking at her, good note, excellent work,

Best regards,

Sergio

PiotrF (55934) 2020-05-05 15:37

Czesc Kasiu
Wspanialy reportaz - rewelacyjne zdjecie tej dziewczynki. Wlasciwie pozostaje przylaczyc mi sie do zachwytow poprzednikow i tylko szkoda, ze TE obecnie dociera do tak malej ilosci odbiorcow - a zdjecie warte jest tego aby bylo znacznie szerzej poznane - musisz dac mu szanse!

Kiedys pisalem, ze masz swietny kontakt z fotografowanymi osobami i tu znakomicie sie to potwierdza : dziewczynka pozostala naturalna, bez sztucznych usmiechow, zaklopotania czy niesmialosci. Niewiele o niej wiemy , ale to cecha dobrej fotografii że pozostawia znaki zapytania i niedopowiedzenia.
pozdrawiam
Piotr

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-05-13 5:58

Hello Kasia,
Three beautifully varied photos illustrate your excellent story in the info.
I remember many of the hippie culture guys telling enthusiastic stories about Afghanistan that they visited when they followed the hippie trail to India. Much has changed since then.
Have a nice day.
Be careful and stay safe, Rob

willperrett (14215) 2020-06-13 0:27

Hello Kasia

A beautiful, heart-rending photograph. Background out of focus, subject placed nicely off-centre, perfectly framed and exposed (of course), so all the technical stuff is in place. But it's the emotional charge that the image carries which makes it so special, vivified by your eloquent note. (BTW you mean 'ravaged', not 'ravished' in the last sentence!)

Kind regards

Will

mkamionka (75079) 2020-06-22 8:07

Czesc Kasia,
Ja mam 8-mio letnia corke, wiec potrafie sie nieco wczuc w sytuacje. Dwa tygodnie temu w wypadku pod Warszawa zginal moj siostrzeniec pozostawiajac swoje malych dzieci. Ich los ze swietlanej przyszlosci zamienil sie w jednej chwili w bardzo niepewny. Tak to dzieci sa najbardziej bezbronne i rzeczywiscie tak wiele zalezy od tego co jest nam po drodze dane.
Mnie zycie nauczylo pokory wobec losu. Im wiecej ktos posiada tym mniej zdaje sobie z tego sprawe.
Obecnie najwieksza motywacja do zycia jest wlasnie chec bycia obecnym w zyciu mojej corki.
Czas spedzony razem to chyba najwiekszy dar jaki mozna komus podarowac.
Wspanialy portret, musze zaczac robic wiecej zdjec ludzi :)
Przypomina znany portret z National Geographic do ktorego nawiazalas pewnie tytulem.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
M

COSTANTINO (117726) 2020-06-23 23:37

hello my dear friend
no comments....
this sad expression of little girl face
describes the feelings...
one shot is one thousand words
welldone
regards
costantino