Afghanistan, a culturally rich country with over 30 million residents, traces its history back to around 50,000 B.C. Through teaching students about Afghanistan houses, educators can offer an opportunity to explore and understand this fascinating culture while introducing students to unique architectural styles and techniques.
Traditional Housing Structures in Afghanistan
There are various types of housing structures found in Afghanistan, reflecting the country’s diverse environments and cultural influences:
1. Qalat: Qalats are traditional Afghan homes made from a mixture of sun-dried mud bricks and plaster. These homes typically feature a central courtyard, surrounded by rooms used for sleeping, cooking, and storage. The design of the Qalat provides privacy and excellent insulation during the cold Afghan winters.
2. Yurt: Yurts are portable, round structures popular among the nomadic people of Afghanistan. Made from wooden frames covered by multiple layers of felt and canvas, yurts provide insulation in winter and ventilation in summer. The design is beneficial to these communities who often move with their livestock across the country.
3. Urban housing: In urban areas like Kabul, modern concrete and brick buildings have become more prevalent. Many families opt for apartment living in cities due to limited space availability.
Lesson Ideas for Teaching Afghan Housing Structures
1. Cultural Research Project: Encourage students to research Afghanistan’s geography, climate, culture, and history to better understand how these factors influence the traditional architecture.
2. Build a Model House: Have students create model versions of traditional Qalats or Yurts using materials such as clay or paper mâché for Qalats or popsicle sticks and fabric for Yurts.
3. Compare and Contrast Activity: Divide your students into groups to research different types of houses from various countries before sharing their findings in a presentation format.
4. Guest Speakers: Invite an Afghan-American guest speaker, if possible, to talk to students about their experiences growing up in Afghanistan, including living in traditional Afghan housing.
5. Virtual Tours: Use online resources like photos, articles, and videos to give your students a virtual tour of various Afghan housing styles and neighborhoods.
