Representations of exile in Afghan oral poetry and songs | Intellect Skip to content
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Volume 10, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 2040-4344
  • E-ISSN: 2040-4352

Abstract

In our examination of the representations of exile in Afghan popular culture, we focus in particular on popular poetry and song lyrics in Farsi, one of the national languages of Afghanistan. This article concentrates on the voices of exiles, their self-representation and their descriptions of life far from their homeland. We argue that, in addition to offering catharsis and expressing collective suffering, the verses are also used to urge return and, more recently, to voice complaints to and about host societies, as well as to critique the Afghan government for its failures.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • The Economic and Social Research Council (ES/P003893/1)
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2019-10-01
2024-04-24
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): Afghanistan; Dubaiti; exile; migration; oral culture; poetry; popular songs
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