Citation

Johnson TH, Waheed A. Small Wars Insurg. 2011; 22(1): 3-31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09592318.2011.546572

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes and analyzes a little understood Afghan Taliban propaganda tool: chants or taranas. These melodic refrains effectively use historical narratives, symbology, and iconic portraits. The chants are engendered in emotions of sorrow, pride, desperation, hope, and complaints to mobilize and convince the Afghan population of the Taliban's worldview. The chants represent culturally relevant and simple messages that are communicated in a narrative and poetic form that is familiar to and resonates with the local people. They are virtually impossible for the United States and NATO to counter because of Western sensitivities concerning religious themes that dominate the Taliban narrative space, not to mention the lack of Western linguistic capabilities, including the understanding and mastering the poetic nature of local dialects.

Language: en

Keywords

Afghan cultural artifacts; Afghanistan; information operations; jihad; Loy Kandahar; pashtunwali; Sufism; Taliban chants or taranas; Taliban narratives; Taliban poetry; Taliban propaganda