for more than a decade Afghanistan has dominated the news headlines more than most what comes to mind when you think about this country most likely the Taliban and terrorism as well as burqas and beards Afghanistan on the other hand, is considerably more beyond the headlines of conflict Lisa dusty explains there is another world where ancient traditions are preserved and a new country is emerging

 Top 10 Amazing Facts About Afghanistan


No.1

On March 21 the first day of spring Afghans celebrate their new year neros thousands of people flocked to Mazar e Sharif in northern Pakistan to celebrate naros a pre-Islamic festival to mark the beginning of spring and the new year. Local strongmen raise a large janda an Islamic banner it is considered a good omen for the months ahead if it is lifted in one seamless move when you live in a country that has already been through more After 30 years of conflict, you have to cling on to something.

 

No.2

Afghanistan wants buzz kashe or goat grabbing to be recognized as an Olympic sport rider on horseback compete to take a goat carcass and race away from the others to drop it in a chalk circle which is regarded as the world's wildest game for millennia it has been played on Afghanistan’s northern steppe previously only rich opposing warlords could afford to play the game is now supported by afghan mobile phone firms and private airlines.

 

No.3

Mobile phone coverage is expected to reach 90 of the country this year even though the percentage of Afghans with access to electricity is still one of the lowest in the world mobile phones are transforming afghan lives and culture even Taliban have fancy smartphones with email and skype they are status symbols too if you have cash or contacts you can get a memorable number including for example one that has the letters of your name.

 

No.4

Poetry is a cherished part of afghan culture afghans have told their stories in verse for more than 1000 years Thursday night is poetry night in the western city of harad men women and children gather to share ancient and modern verse listen to traditional harati music and enjoy sweet tea and pastries long into the night

 

 No.5

Alexander the great was the first to build herrot's ancient citadel when he captured the city in 330 bc the only woman to capture the heart of the Macedonian empire, the builder was the beautiful Roxanne from the northern Afghan province of bosch she bore him his only son before Alexander died at the young age of 33.

 

No.6

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the poster boy for legions of young afghan men photographs of a muscled Arnold in his prime hang from the walls of hundreds of bodybuilding centers across the country some Afghans say the action star turned US governor looks like an afghan.

 

No.7

Afghan cuisine is more sophisticated than kebabs and rice this landlocked country has been at the crossroads of major civilizations for centuries and that is reflected in what is on the menu sample its delicate shock are ravioli stuffed with leeks and topped with minced meat and yogurt or montapasta filled with lamb and onions and new influences are still emerging as Afghanistan opens its doors to the world if you yearn for something lighter former Japanese journalist turned chef Hiromi now known as mercil which means rose in Persian fell in love with the country married an afghan and is training afghans to make mouth-watering sushi.

 

No.8

Kandahar airfield in southern Afghanistan is said to be the busiest single runway airstrip in the world no wonder it is also the place nato has its first complete air traffic capability in a non-nato country last year's the arrival of more than 30 000 extra u.s troops along with more civilian personnel added to constant landings on a base also used by non-us militaries of course lots of journalists and dignitaries also fly into one of Afghanistan’s most volatile cities the most decisive battle in this war afghans have long said whoever controls Kandahar controls Afghanistan.

 

No.9

The world's first oil paintings were drawn not in renaissance Europe but in the caves of Bamiyan in the central highlands of Afghanistan around 650 bc Bamiyan boasted a flourishing Buddhist civilization from the second-century up to the Islamic invasion of the 9th century this is where the world's two largest standing Buddha’s once stood until the Taliban destroyed them in 2001. A newly opened tourism company is trying to attract tourists back to beautiful Bamiyan last year they had a grand total of two along with Afghans and foreigners who live in the country but the people of Bamiyan remain hopeful.

 

No.10

Please remember Afghanis is the currency, not the people are called afghans and they have a country that for all of its hardship and heartache they are still proud to call home Lisa do say presents Afghanistan the unknown country on bbc2 Wednesday 6th of July.