Woman Spinning Wool

In winter of 2008, I walked through Hazarajat (the Central highlands of Afghanistan) with a friend who wanted to make a documentary. We stayed at this family’s house which I think located at dry valley called “dare sofla,” in Ashtarlay district, in Daykundi province. It was almost on the top of the pass, and it was the last house. I assume beyond the pass was “shaikh miran”. Anyway, we received a warm welcome from this family. They killed a goat for the night we spent there. I can’t forget their kindness and I hope to visit them one day.

The woman spinning thread by hand is a mother for the young girl and grandmother for the two kids. They take wool from sheep and lambs and she spins it on a drop spindle. The thread then will be used for all sorts of wearings.