Sunnati

I was invited to a Sunnati last week. In Afghanistan it is customary or obligatory for men to be circumcised for religious or cultural reasons. The circumcision goes back to prophet Mohammad who was according to historical tradition born with a very short or no foreskin. As a sign of religious affiliation, Muslims still practise the circumcision when the young boys are around ten years old. Mostly two, three or more boys of the same family get circumcised at the same day and this festival is celebrated quite big.

Luckily this time the actual circumcision had already happened some days before (in a hospital). So much I was afraid of seeing these little boys suffering. But they were fine again and it turned out to actually be a really nice party.

In the women-room, we were – I counted – up to 60 people, sitting on some 12-15 m² . Women – all ages and kids. Clamant afghan music, and in the middle of the room, a little spare place, place for exactly one women to dance. All others were clapping the rhythm, yowling. Wow! Every now and then the woman dancing was replaced and obviously it came the time when I also had to try. I somehow managed – not really in the way they did it. But it was just great fun.

Thanks Ramin for the invitation!