| With few urban centers, the majority of the population of Afghanistan
live in rural areas, deriving their livelihood from agriculture,
livestock and related products. But not everyone has a farm; close
to 3 millions nomads (Kuchis) survive by migrating between the uplands
and plains with their herds and flocks, taking advantage of the
limited and seasonal grazing lands.
Originally from Pashtun tribes, the Kuchi concentration is mostly
in the warm climate areas of south and southeast of the country.
In the past, they could move relatively freely across the borders
of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, but recent restrictions and
complicated procedures have restricted their movements to within
Afghanistan. The Kuchis are tribal Afghans living in black tents with their
distinctive and unique customs and costumes. Kuchi's outfits are similar to Pashtuns but with darker colors
for women and white outfits for men. The most elegant feature of
Kuchi costume, beside the extraordinary and exquisite jewelry is
their dress. The dresses have traditional long and wide skirts and
long and very wide sleeves. The spectacular embroidery is fabulous.
The fronts of the bodice, the skirt and sleeve hems are skillfully
embroidered with gilded threads. The dress is also adorned with
amulets, pendants, tassels, button bands motives, and trinkets.
A large shawl with decorated borders (especially front) enhances
the elaborate beauty of the outfits. The cuffs of their solid color
trousers are fitted. Kuchi men wear white outfits with knee-length shirts and matching
trousers. The usual headdress is a white turban and the outfit is
completed with a large white shawl over one shoulder, which is used
for warmth, to sit on, or as a prayer mat. Coin silver and non-precious metal handcrafted in authentic Afghan
tribal style. Old Kuchi tribal headpieces, necklaces, chokers, pendants,
bracelets, rings with antique brassy patinas and colorful old glass
stones are popular even among modern, stylish women. : Delicate, embossed, amulets fabricated in coin silver, and set
with colored glasses "Jewels" such as prayer amulets,
hand stamped dome shaped amulets, box pendant amulets and rectangle
amulets decorated with dangles. Most dangles are three-dimensional
caps with the paddles hanging from them. The sound they create during
movement is more of a rustle than a jingle.
These amulets are usually stuffed with cardboard or paper to hold
their shapes. Hanging loops are open at the back. Beautiful necklaces made of lightweight coin type decorations with
red, green and blue glass jewels set in wax. Mostly, authentic charming
heart shaped or crescent moon centers and delicate little dangles
create soft clicking jingles. Crafted with colorful Glass and Afghan Lapis Lazuli, long Jingling
Dangles and bells and Old Afghan Coins- Old Waziri Tribal Chokers
are well known. Wonderful silver chokers have color Glass and Afghan Lapis Lazuli,
long Jingling etched design dangles, bells and Old Afghan Coins.
Also, some chokers have pendants hand sewn onto cotton fabric edging
with blue glass beads also along the dangles. A soft jingling sound
enhances their attraction. Old Kuchi nomad choker, elaborately beaded cloth band with tribal
button closure, old etched design dangles. Authentic Kuchi components
include old metal dangle pendants with Muslim coins from Pakistan
and Afghanistan, glass beadwork and especially intricate design.
Necklace has the authentic patina tribal dancers love! Charming silver and color jewel pendants in unique tribal designs
typically have a set of chains that hook across the top of the head
for stability. They are often backed with fabric. The simple form
of it is a round pendant with dangles and is hooked on forelock,
used to enhance the beauty of Kuchi Women's dark eyes. Silver and silver-plated wide bracelets are used in pairs (both
hands). Some are embossed with lapis or color glass stones. Multiple Silver rings with lapis and semi precious stones are common
among Kuchis. Bulky Earrings are made from lightweight silver with lots of dangles
and colorful stones. More often Kuchis pierce their ears in several
places to accommodate multiple earrings. Nose rings are traditional jewelry of Kuchis and Pashtuns. These
range from a simple silver flower shape stud to silver and color
stones, to the ring connected by a chain to one earring. Tassels & Pendants: Hanging ornamental pieces of silvers shaped
like tassels and bunch dangles for over the shoulder, and bodice
of the dress. Also, long tassels with colorful glass beads are sewn
at the waistline. Button Band: Decorative silver pieces with delicate little dangles
and hooks sewn to the bodice of the dress and makes musical sounds
when every move.
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