Nancy Lindisfarne-Tapper studied and taught anthropology at
the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Her book
Bartered Brides is a classic ethnography of the Piruzai.
Richard Tapper is emeritus Professor of Anthropology at SOAS.
This book is a companion volume to his Afghan Village Voices, a
remarkable compilation of stories in which the Piruzai speak for
themselves.
In the early 1970s, the Tappers spent a year living with the
Piruzai, pastoralists and farmers in northern Afghanistan. They
joined the Piruzai in the spring pastures, trekked to the high
mountains of the Hazarajat in the summer, and returned with
them to their farmlands in the autumn. And they took hundreds
of photographs.
This large and lavishly produced book reproduces 380 of those
photos, most in colour. It is an evocation of a time of peace before
the country was engulfed in nearly fifty years of war. The book is
also a work of art. The landscapes are simply spectacular. But
equally striking are the pictures of family groups, of people
working and the intimate portraits of women, men and children.
All too often Afghans have been stereotyped for other people’s
political purposes, but here you meet warm, clear-sighted
individuals who can laugh at themselves and are kind, curious and
wise about others.
‘This deeply moving book and its
beautiful photographs will be widely
read and result in much-needed
reflection on the injustices inflicted
on Afghanistan’s people and
environments over the past half
century and more.’
Magnus Marsden, Author of Beyond
the Silk Roads. Professor of Social
Anthropology, University of Sussex.
‘This book is a priceless treasure! It
makes you see Afghans and
Afghanistan in vivid colours with their
humanity and generosity of spirit
shining brightly, rather than the
monochrome news coverage of their
sad predicament today.’
Mukulika Banerjee, Author of The
Pathan Unarmed. Professor of
Anthropology, London School of
Economics
