ROAM Project Background
The frail state of music and the poor quality of life endured by musicians in Afghanistan (see report Music in Afghanistan Today) has resulted from combination of factors:
1978-1992: the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan backed by the Soviet Union, came to power. The turmoil associated with this regime and the invasion of Afghanistan by the Red Army in 1979 triggered the initial emigration of Afghan musicians, despite the fact that music and musicians were strongly supported by the new regime.
1992-1996: the Mujahadeen ("holy warriors") rose to power and the civil war erupted between their factions. These events resulted in the destruction of the musicians' quarter (Kharābāt), the Vocational School of Music, and even more musicians emigrated.
1996-2001: the Taliban seized power and imposed draconian cultural policies outlawing music and musical performances. Musicians faced public punishment and more musicians left the country. Those who were not able to leave Afghanistan hid their instruments and started to work as shopkeepers, butchers, taxi drivers and handymen. Some even became beggars.
The deaths of the great masters of Afghan music in the last three decades are among other significant factors that have led to the current critical state of music in Afghanistan (see report Music in Afghanistan Today) .