Black
Attan
Attan is a traditional Afghan dance. It is said to be one of the oldest forms of Afghan Pagan dance. It is usually performed with a Dhol, which is a double-headed barrel drum. The dance can be anywhere from 5 minute to 30 minutes long. There are many different regional variations of Attan, the most famous being Kabuli, Paktiyaya, Mazari, Kandahari, Sistani, Herati, Pashayi, and Nuristani. During King Yama's time, Attan was performed before going to a war because it used to give the army the confidence that they could win the battle. Attan began as a folk dance conducted by afghans in the time of war or during wedding or other celebrations (engagement, new year and informal gatherings). It is now considered the national dance of Afghanistan. The performance of the attan dance in the open air has long been customary in the afghan culture. Performed in a large circle to the accompaniment of drums and pipes, the dance begins slowly but grows in momentum for two or three hours without a break except for changes in tempo or changes in song. Its duration differs - anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes.
The Attan is performed differently in many of the different afghan group. Some styles of Attan portray themes of war while others portray celebration, especially for events such as marriage, engagements, and family gatherings and also as a prelude to the arrival of spring.
All different kinds of Attan are danced with the beats of the drums. However they all differ in style. The beater of the drum known as "Dum", which instantaneously change the rhythm, is circled by the performers. Below is a list of common attan styles. * Kochai - Pashtun nomadic style done in both Afghanistan and Pakistan * Logarai - From the Afghan province of Logar * Paktiawal / Khostai - Notable Attan style originating from the provinces of Paktia and Khost, Afghanistan * Wardag/Wardak - Da Wardag Attan, another famous style of Attan * Warziro - Sensational style of Attan from the
Attan is a traditional Afghan dance. It is said to be one of the oldest forms of Afghan Pagan dance. It is usually performed with a Dhol, which is a double-headed barrel drum. The dance can be anywhere from 5 minute to 30 minutes long. There are many different regional variations of Attan, the most famous being Kabuli, Paktiyaya, Mazari, Kandahari, Sistani, Herati, Pashayi, and Nuristani. During King Yama's time, Attan was performed before going to a war because it used to give the army the confidence that they could win the battle. Attan began as a folk dance conducted by afghans in the time of war or during wedding or other celebrations (engagement, new year and informal gatherings). It is now considered the national dance of Afghanistan. The performance of the attan dance in the open air has long been customary in the afghan culture. Performed in a large circle to the accompaniment of drums and pipes, the dance begins slowly but grows in momentum for two or three hours without a break except for changes in tempo or changes in song. Its duration differs - anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes.
The Attan is performed differently in many of the different afghan group. Some styles of Attan portray themes of war while others portray celebration, especially for events such as marriage, engagements, and family gatherings and also as a prelude to the arrival of spring.
All different kinds of Attan are danced with the beats of the drums. However they all differ in style. The beater of the drum known as "Dum", which instantaneously change the rhythm, is circled by the performers. Below is a list of common attan styles. * Kochai - Pashtun nomadic style done in both Afghanistan and Pakistan * Logarai - From the Afghan province of Logar * Paktiawal / Khostai - Notable Attan style originating from the provinces of Paktia and Khost, Afghanistan * Wardag/Wardak - Da Wardag Attan, another famous style of Attan * Warziro - Sensational style of Attan from the