Afghanistan – turning back the clock 100 years!
A tiny village along the Panj River with many surprises and friendly people
Shughnan is a village and a district in Badakhshan Province in the mountainous northeast of Afghanistan and also a district in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province in Tajikistan. The administrative centre of the Shighnan District of Afghanistan is called Qaleh Barpanjeh (قلعه برپنجه). The administrative centre of the Shughnon District of Tajikistan is called Khorogh.
In ancient times the area was known for its ruby mines, which are mentioned in the writings of Marco Polo
In modern times Shughnan and its vassal Roshan were states whose native rulers, the mirs of Shighnan, claimed descent from Alexander the Great.
The people residing in the Shughnan district, both the Tajik side and Afghan side of the border, speak their own language called Shughni (Khughnani).
While Afghanistan is a vast country blessed with beautiful mountains and ancient villages, much of the country is still too dangerous for most travellers. However, currently, some pockets in the northern areas including the Wakhan Corridor have been declared safe enough for travel.
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Globerovers Magazine July 2014
Baking bread in the Village of Shughnan
Bed on the floor, breakfast on the floor. Yoghurt, milk-tea, flatbread.
The Panj River flows close to the Shughnan Village
The Village of Shughnan
The bazaar in the Village of Shughnan
Donkeys are worked to the bone!
Afghan man at the bazaar in Shughnan
Afghan man at the bazaar in Shughnan
Serving milk tea in my bedroom at the house of my host family
Security guard at the bazaar in Shughnan. The Taliban and other invaders are real dangers here.
Afghan kids at the bazaar in Shughnan
New friends came for a visit at the house of my host family – to drink vodka.