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In 1968, the Children's Committee of the American Women's
Association in Kabul, Afghanistan, published a coloring and activity book
to be used by English speaking children living in Kabul. The book was
also distributed to children who were passengers on Ariana Airlines. People
who knew about the politics of the world at the time, were amused because
each child who received a coloring book also received a little box of
crayons manufactured in Communist China, which at the time had no trade
relations with America. Ever since, Alexander the Great came three centuries
before Christ, Genghis Khan in the 13th century and Marco Polo in the
14th century, Afghanistan has been at the cross roads of the world. Feel
free to make copies of the pictures shown here for non-profit use with
children. They were drawn by Sandy Laskey and Penne Laingen. Alleen Nilsen
edited the book and worked with the Children's Committee chair, Kay Pickett,
to get it published and distributed.
- The Sheep
You may color these sheep bright pink, purple, orange, or green because
in Afghanistan the sheep herders dye their sheep different colors so
they can tell which sheep belong to which families. Click
here for printable version.
- The Afghan hound
Afghan hounds are famous for their elegant stance and their curly tails.
See if you can figure out the colors that should go in this cross-word
puzzle. A couple of hints to get you started are that blue is a sacred
color and that green paint was especially cheap. Click
here for printable version.
- (down) A famous mosque in Kabul was called the _______________
mosque.
- (across) The Afghan flag is
red, green, and ________________.
- (down) Many houses and walls
are ______________ because they are made from mud.
- (across) One of the places
to shop in Kabul is called the __________ door bazaar.
- (down) Most Afghan rugs are
dark ____________.
- (across) When dressed up for
holidays, Afghan boys usually wear long ___________ shirts which are
embroidered.
- The Market
In Afghanistan many things can be found which do not exist in English
speaking countries and so English speakers use the Farsi names just
as Afghans do. Try to figure out which words go in which spaces. (In
alphabetical order they are bazaar, chaderi, goti, karachi, mosque,
and nan, which is Afghan bread.) Click
here for printable version.
- The Rug
Children help to weave and tie the knots in Afghan rugs. A family works
many months to make one rug. The eight blocks in the middle of this
one make up what is called an elephants' foot design. Click
here for printable version.
- The Chest
Many Afghans are skilled carvers. Even from scrap lumber they can make
beautiful chests like this one. Click
here for printable version.
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