Taliban Ban Threatens Afghanistan’s Rubab Tradition

AFP/APP

Herat: In a cramped workshop in Herat, Afghan craftsman Sakhi meticulously shapes another rubab, Afghanistan’s national instrument, despite the ongoing crackdown on music under the Taliban regime.

Sakhi, who has been crafting rubabs for decades, emphasizes the cultural significance of the instrument. “The heritage must not be lost,” he said, noting that the rubab, a lute-like instrument made of mulberry wood and often inlaid with mother-of-pearl, holds immense historical value in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.

UNESCO recently recognized the art of crafting and playing the rubab as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. But the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has severely endangered this heritage, as the group enforces a strict interpretation of Islamic law that bans public music. Music performances, radio broadcasts, and music schools have been shut down, and musical instruments have been destroyed.

Many Afghan musicians have fled, while others have been forced to abandon their craft, with the Taliban encouraging them to focus on Islamic poetry and unaccompanied chants.

Despite the challenges, rubab player Gull Agha remains determined to preserve Afghanistan’s musical heritage. “The main thing that motivates me to continue playing is to contribute to Afghanistan and not let our skills be forgotten,” said Agha, who still occasionally plays his self-made rubab for tourists.

For Agha, the rubab is more than just an instrument—it represents peace and cultural continuity. “Rubab is an art… art brings peace to the soul,” he added.

Former musicians like Mohsen, who recalls the joy music once brought to the Afghan people, remain hopeful. “No force, no person, no system can silence its sound,” he said, emphasizing that Afghan musicians—both within the country and in exile—are determined to keep the rubab’s music alive.

For rubab player Majid, whose instrument was damaged during a Taliban raid, the rubab remains a symbol of resilience. “No matter what, rubab culture will not be lost,” he said, expressing hope that future generations will carry on the tradition.

Though the future of the rubab in Afghanistan is uncertain, its cultural legacy endures, with musicians continuing to preserve and share this vital piece of heritage.