97 images Created 29 Aug 2021
Portraits of Afghanistan 2006~2007 - captured on 6x6 film cameras
“No one wins war in Afghanistan,” is a phrase someone coined after seeing the world’s superpowers keep losing it. This landlocked country in Central Asia was a passage for the Silk Road, the Mongol Invasion, and the Mogul Empire; and the tomb for The British, the Soviets, and most recently, the United States.
The Taliban, meaning “students” or “seekers” in Pashto, was in power in 1996 to 2001; then in 2021 again. They literally banned anything “un-islamic” from kite-flying to women walking and traveling alone. What was considered accepted in the Western World was the subject of whipping and stone-throwing.
The time I was in Afghanistan was five years after the Taliban’s fall during 2006 and 2007. Until August 10, when I was pulled out of the country by the South Korean government due to the hostage crisis of the South Korean Christians, I tried my best to document the country that was starting to breathe the freedom.
Here’s the documentation of the country through my lenses as an Asian woman. At least in Kabul and above, women were somewhat free to walk around the streets for shopping and running chores without male members of the family. Men were able to fly kites and build muscles at a gym. Although most women still chose to wear Burqa in public places, they took up a good 10% in the government’s seats.
One year out of 20 years of life without Taliban could only be a fraction of time. However, I think I was in the country in the very crucial time and probably one of the best times.
My prayers go to those who allowed me to document the slice of lives of Afghans, who are now witnessing the bitter history repeating itself.
The Taliban, meaning “students” or “seekers” in Pashto, was in power in 1996 to 2001; then in 2021 again. They literally banned anything “un-islamic” from kite-flying to women walking and traveling alone. What was considered accepted in the Western World was the subject of whipping and stone-throwing.
The time I was in Afghanistan was five years after the Taliban’s fall during 2006 and 2007. Until August 10, when I was pulled out of the country by the South Korean government due to the hostage crisis of the South Korean Christians, I tried my best to document the country that was starting to breathe the freedom.
Here’s the documentation of the country through my lenses as an Asian woman. At least in Kabul and above, women were somewhat free to walk around the streets for shopping and running chores without male members of the family. Men were able to fly kites and build muscles at a gym. Although most women still chose to wear Burqa in public places, they took up a good 10% in the government’s seats.
One year out of 20 years of life without Taliban could only be a fraction of time. However, I think I was in the country in the very crucial time and probably one of the best times.
My prayers go to those who allowed me to document the slice of lives of Afghans, who are now witnessing the bitter history repeating itself.
