With the Taliban’s continued restrictions on music in Afghanistan, obtaining instruments such as guitars, harmoniums, and keyboards has become difficult for students and music enthusiasts. The ban on the open sale of musical instruments and the monitoring of imported shipments at border crossings have severely limited access to these instruments.
Only a small number of craftsmen in Afghanistan are secretly making traditional instruments such as the rubab, tabla, dotar, and dambura. This comes as many modern instruments, including guitars, were previously imported from neighboring countries, especially Iran, but the import of such equipment now faces restrictions.
Mohammad, a guitar player and instructor whose real name has not been disclosed for security reasons, says that a number of girls from different provinces of Afghanistan are interested in learning guitar, but they are unable to do so because they do not have access to instruments. According to him, even obtaining basic items such as guitar strings has become extremely difficult and can sometimes take months.
He says that music education is currently being conducted secretly, and transporting instruments between homes may increase the risk of being identified by the Taliban. Nevertheless, he emphasized that he continues teaching in order to preserve music in Afghanistan and prevent this art from being forgotten.
Some music enthusiasts in Kabul also say that despite considerable efforts, they have been unable to obtain guitars. They hope that one day conditions will allow for the free teaching and practice of music again, especially for women and girls.
After returning to power, the Taliban declared music forbidden. Since then, morality police under the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have repeatedly confiscated and destroyed musical instruments, publishing images of these actions in the media and on social networks.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
