WARNING:
Nearly all the descriptions included in this web site are in the "ethnographic present," taking 1967-72 as current. Occasionally, the text switches focus, from present to past, to suit the narrative.

It has not been possible to contact all the people whose images and music of 30-35 years ago are offered here. Anyone who disapproves of being represented here will be removed upon request.

The immense and tragic destruction and dislocation of Afghanistan creates a continuous reshaping of the human condition. People come back to their homes from refugee camps, but will go back across national boundaries if they cannot sustain a life in their homeland. Unless things stabilize more than they have as of early 2003, all situations are temporary.

We now return to the stable situation of the last years of King Zahir Shah, who ruled from 1933 to 1973.