Afghanistan is far from an unfamiliar country. Over the past few years, we’ve heard about it on the news nearly every day. Put aside the politics and international relations for a second and think: how much do we really know about Afghanistan’s culture?
As a charity that spends so much time and effort devoted to supporting the children of Afghanistan, it’s only right that we pause for a moment to celebrate some wonderful aspects of Afghan culture – and there’s no better insight to culture than how people eat!
Take a Seat – or a Tohsak!
In the UK, a normal part of furnishing our house is to head over to DFS or Ikea to invest in a comfy sofa you hope will last as long as possible. Things are slightly different elsewhere in the world though; in Afghanistan, families furnish their houses with tohsaks.
A tohsak can be best described as a large floor cushion or mattress. They’re found in living rooms throughout the country, with many opting to sit on a tohsak instead of a chair – even when eating.
It’s not quite as uncomfortable as it might sound though since many households include a balesht or poshty, objects that are similar to large pillows. So while you relax on your tohsak, you’re still able to sit back and support your back with a balesht.
You’ll often find a tohsak coupled with a sandali. Sandalis are similar to tables without legs, lying low enough for people to sit around on tohsaks and share a meal together. In fact, a sandali is often protected by a tablecloth called a lihaf.
Dinner setups with tohsaks and sandalis are far from unique to Afghanistan. Sandalis are comparable to kotatsu tables in Japan while tohsaks are popular amongst much of the Middle-East, from Yemen, Iraq and Iran as well as Pakistan and India.
At Charity Right, we’re proud to support Afghan children with school meals. They give vital financial support to parents and allow the children to receive an education for a brighter future. Free from the cycle of poverty, these children can preserve and hold onto Afghanistan’s culture and heritage, from the tohsak to the sandali.
