Attan

Attan ( اتڼ) is the national dance of Afghanistan. It is a traditional dance originating from the tribal Pashtun regions of Afghanistan and North Western Pakistan. Some believe it has spiritual roots connecting it to Zoroastrianism. The dance is performed during weddings or other celebrations (engagements, weddings and informal gatherings). The Attan was also conducted by Pashtuns in times of war such as the British occupation and the Pashtun resistance movement, when Pashtuns used the dance to instil confidence and energy among warriors readying to battle the colonisers. It is now considered the national dance of Afghanistan, popularly carried by other ethnic groups in Afghanistan as well as by the Pashtun ethnic group in Pakistan. The traditional Attan is a special type of dance performed by a troupe of Pashtun tribesmen who would wave swords by the Khattak tribe or guns by the Mehsud tribe or scarves in the air while drummers beat drums. They move around in a present circle whilst twirling aligned with the drum beat. Depending on the region and tribe, there are different methods and styles of the Pashtun attan, for example Paktia attan and styles. Attan is performed traditionally segregated although in modern times, Afghans have performed the dance with both men and women. Attan is a traditional Pashtun dance. It is said to have Pre-Islamic roots, some identify Attan as a religious ceremony of early Zoroastrianism. According to folklore's King Yama, a figure in Iranian mythology, celebrated Nawroz by performing an Attan with his warriors. Closely related circle dances can be found in the Khorasan and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces of Iran., commonly known as Chapi or Torbati there ("رقص خراسانی"or "رقص سیستانی"). Attan is usually performed with a Dohol, which is a double-headed barrel drum. The dance can be anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes long. There are many different regional and tribal variations and styles of Attan, the most famous being Wardaki, Logari, Paktia, Khosti, Kandahari, and Herati.