The sandali is one of Afghanistan’s oldest traditions, and every year, as winter arrives, it draws families together to pass cold nights with hot tea, sweets, and shared stories. Many citizens say they use the sandali not only to warm their homes but also to preserve culture and keep the wisdom of elders alive.
They explain that when elders share stories around the sandali, children learn from their experiences, and oral traditions continue from one generation to the next. The poems and books of Hafez and Rumi, often read aloud beside the sandali, become a bridge through which knowledge, manners, and culture are passed on.
However, some citizens told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that economic hardship and the lack of proper heating facilities leave them with no choice but to rely on the sandali and charcoal. They say that although the sandali is simple and inexpensive, it cannot fully warm a home and carries certain risks. Under current conditions, even obtaining charcoal has become difficult, which limits the use of the sandali to a few hours at night.
Hashima, a resident of the Old City of Kabul, says she has relied on the sandali to heat her home for many years. She believes it does more than provide warmth, as it also brings family members closer to one another. Hashima says she and her husband sit beside the sandali and read books so they can pass knowledge and good manners on to their children, just as her grandparents once did through stories and life experiences.
“We have many happy memories with the sandali,” Hashima says. “On winter nights, we all sat together. The elders sat at the upper part of the sandali, and the children sat below. Families who could afford it had radios and listened to serialized radio stories, placing the radio on the sandali. Families without radios listened as one of the elders told stories, and everyone paid close attention to the family legends and interesting tales.”
Shekab, a resident of Herat, says he spent the previous night sitting beside a sandali with his friends. He stresses that the sandali plays an important role in passing the experiences of elders on to younger generations. “We sat together and talked about old customs and traditions,” he says. “We discussed relationships, affection, and family closeness, and we spoke about the negative effects of mobile phones and individual isolation. We shared stories from the memories and hearts of our grandparents and reflected on fatherly advice. In the past, people read books, learned lessons from them, and applied those lessons in daily life.”
Atif Ali, a resident of Baghlan, says the use of the sandali remains a custom among his community. He explains that in earlier times, the sandali served not only as a source of heat but also as a gathering place where families shared traditions and stories across generations.
“In old traditions, even the elite used the sandali,” Atif Ali says. “Cultural, political, and social figures sat together and warmed their winters this way. Over time, as the modern world introduced wood, gas, and electric heaters, the use of the sandali gradually declined.”
Other citizens across the country say they continue to use the sandals because of poverty and the need to reduce expenses.
Bibi Sakina, a resident of Badakhshan, says that under the country’s current conditions, wood and charcoal stoves have become too expensive, which is why her family depends on the sandali. “Beyond its cultural value, the sandali has clear economic benefits,” she says. “It is affordable, practical, and accessible to everyone. It also helps reduce high energy costs and air pollution. When the weather turns cold, having a sandali becomes necessary, and its warmth feels comforting.”
Ezzat, a resident of Kabul, says the use of the sandali has declined sharply in the city, and only a few of his relatives still rely on it. “Today, some people use gas under the sandals, which is extremely dangerous,” he says. “In the past, people used special charcoal or burned wood. One day, my brother placed an electric heater under the sandali, and a fire almost broke out.”
Cultural observers say that setting up a sandali has long been common among the People of Afghanistan and remains one of the country’s indigenous traditions. They note that the sandali not only preserves culture but also strengthens social bonds and reflects the tradition of hospitality.
Ketab Khan Faizi, a cultural observer, says the sandali has played a major role in preserving memories and oral culture, especially in Kabul, the areas north of Kabul, Parwan, Panjshir, and Kapisa. “On winter nights, families gathered around the sandali,” he says. “They ate mulberries, mixed nuts, raisins, chickpeas, and sweets while sharing old stories, and this tradition continues even today.”
Another cultural observer, Najibullah Ahrar, says the history of the sandali dates back to ancient times, including the Aryan period and ancient Khorasan. He explains that people used the sandali as an effective way to keep their homes warm even then. From an economic standpoint, he adds, the sandali has remained a cost-effective option for many families, especially as population growth and economic challenges continue.
The sandali is usually made of wood and shaped as a square or rectangle. Small families tend to use four sided sandalis, while larger families choose longer ones. As temperatures drop, families cover the sandali with thick quilts and place an iron brazier filled with fresh charcoal underneath.
At night, grandfathers often sat beside the sandali and entertained family members by asking riddles, telling legendary stories, recounting the lives of prophets, or reminding listeners of past injustices. Everyone listened closely.
For many, heating the sandali with charcoal remains a relatively affordable and accessible method, though it is not without danger. Still, for the People of Afghanistan, gathering together during long and cold winter nights remains a cherished tradition, rich with meaningful memories born from these simple and intimate moments.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
