Several days after Eid al-Fitr in Afghanistan, the aroma of homemade sweets still lingers in some homes. Most of these treats were prepared by the hands of women, who not only added a delightful flavor to the Eid days but also kept alive the bonds of family and age-old traditions.
Several women in Afghanistan say that preserving these customs holds special importance for them, and they make every effort to continue the tradition each year. According to them, preparing sweets not only gives the Eid table a distinctive character but also ensures that the customs and traditions of Eid are passed down to future generations.
Speaking with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, these women emphasized that such efforts are part of the cultural identity of their families and are carried out with love and enthusiasm. They added that despite economic pressures, they strive to keep family members joyful by baking homemade sweets and setting festive Eid tables, while also preserving local customs. They believe that these traditions teach future generations that baking and hospitality are part of family culture and affection. In their view, their efforts during Eid days bring a special warmth to their homes and make the joy of Eid truly meaningful.
Every year during Eid, several women use ingredients available at home to prepare and bake sweets such as cakes, kulcha, gosh-e-feel, fried pastries, and qatlama to adorn their Eid tables for guests.
Shameela, a resident of Ghazni, is one such woman who every year prepares cakes and sweets such as kulcha and gosh-e-feel to decorate her Eid table. She says she learned this skill from her mother, and baking these sweets taught her the art of hospitality, a skill that is considered one of the longstanding customs of the people of Afghanistan.
In Shameela’s view, although rising prices of ingredients have created pressures, traditions continue through thrift and creativity. She says, “The people of Ghazni are very hospitable. My mother always used to say that if a guest comes and eats from the sweets, it is a source of pride for the household, and guests only visit homes that are blessed with happiness. Now we too try to keep this custom alive and prepare sweets every year. This year as well, I baked gosh-e-feel.”
Sakeena, a resident of Badakhshan, says that the tradition of baking sweets among the women of that province is one of the customs passed down through generations. She adds that continuing such traditions, which keep alive social customs and family gatherings, is of great importance, and that without the presence of women, many of these traditions would disappear.
This resident of Badakhshan says, “Women play a prominent role in passing down customs and traditions. The custom of Eid is nothing other than joy, family gatherings, warmth, and hospitality, and all of these have been carried forward by women. In Shughnan as well, during Eid days, people bake salty Badakhshani kulcha and khajoor along with qumach. Some prepare qumach with bread dough and nuts such as walnuts, mulberries, and sometimes almonds with a little oil, similar to pizza but with special fillings and two layers.”
Allaha Ataie, a resident of Herat, says that Eid in that city is not merely an occasion but rather a time for the renewal of hearts, reuniting with loved ones, and keeping alive the valuable culture and traditions. She adds that the people of Herat are known for their hospitality, warmth, and preservation of authentic traditions, and that during Eid days, they strive to show their love and respect to guests and loved ones through the finest hospitality.
She says: “During Eid days, most people in Herat welcome these beautiful days with a particular enthusiasm. One of their cherished customs is baking gosh-e-feel and a variety of colorful cakes to host guests. Homes fill with the fragrance of sweets, and tables are set with love and sincerity. These beautiful customs are a legacy from the distant past, preserved from generation to generation, and they continue to this day with the same warmth and affection.”
Meanwhile, several sociologists say that women play a very prominent role in preserving Eid customs and traditions, and that it is precisely because of this role that many of these traditions have survived in society to this day. They emphasize that broad support must be provided for women in order to strengthen culture and traditions.
Rashed Sediqi, a sociologist, says: “If over time insufficient attention is paid to the cultures and traditions of people, and economic factors and neglect place them under pressure, we will unfortunately lose a large part of our own culture. To preserve and strengthen the customs and traditions that have been largely maintained by women, social and structural support must be provided, and these traditions must be expanded from within the home to the level of society.” According to him, in most traditional societies, women and girls play a fundamental role in carrying out and preserving cultural and family practices, and this role has a direct impact on the growth and continuity of cultures.
Sediqi adds: “During Eid and special occasions such as weddings, the preparation and cooking of special foods holds its own distinct cultural and social significance. The continuation of these traditions helps strengthen family ties and relationships, and many people travel from distant areas to their homes and other regions to participate in and attend these occasions. These connections not only strengthen bonds but also preserve the cultural identity of society.”
Sociologists emphasize that governments and relevant institutions must make efforts to ensure that these cultures are strengthened by women and girls, and that their structure expands from families to the level of society. In their view, providing suitable facilities and mechanisms for women and girls, particularly in the preparation of foods specific to religious ceremonies and Eid, can play an effective role in preserving and perpetuating these traditions.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important religious and cultural occasions in Afghanistan, and it is celebrated every year with the baking of sweets, dried fruits, wearing new clothes, and family visits. It is a celebration in which women play a fundamental role in keeping its warmth and sincerity alive.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
از عطر شیرینی تا گرمای دیدار؛ نقش زنان در زندهنگهداشتن سنتهای عید
