LIFE & CULTURE

The culture of the region known today as Afghanistan has been around for millennia and is - since the Arab-Muslim conquest - largely influenced by Islam. Different regions of the country have their own unique traditions, reflecting the multi-cultural and multi-lingual character of the nation. For example: the Pashtuns practice Pashtunwali, which is a pre-Islamic cultural tradition. There are also other traces of pre-Islamic traditions, most of all by religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Baha'i Faith, though Islamic norms and mannerisms appear prevalent. Afghanistan has been the main crossroads for Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East which has influenced its culture.

MEMORIAL DAYS:

No	Date	Anniversary
1	21 March	New Year
2	22 March	Day of Education
3	25 March	Day of National Sport
4	Last week of March	Day of Geologist
5	27 April	Victory Day (collapse of communism)
6	28 April	Anniversary of Mujahideen Victory
7	4 May	Day of Martyrs
8	24 May	Day of Teachers
9	11 June	Anniversary of Loya Jirga
10	14 June	Mother's Day
11	25 June	Counter Narcotics Day
12	19 August	Independence Day (independence from Great Britain))
13	31 August	Pashtuns' day
14	9 September	Ahmad Shah Masoud's Day
15	18 September	Day of 2005' Parliamentary elections
16	7 October	Art Festival
17	10 October	Anniversary of 2005' Parliamentary elections
18	13 October	Day of Ecology
19	16 October	The beginning of the Week of Afghan Red Crescent
20	12 November	Anniversary of Victory over Terrorists
21	28 November	Anniversary of Bonn Conference
23	20 December	Anniersary of the First Senate Meeting
24	23 December	Anniversary of unification of Afghanistan and election of temporary Government
25	28 December	Anniversary of Red Army Invasion on Afghanistan
26	27 December	Anniversary of Constitution Approving by the President
27	15 February	Independence Day