We Are What We Eat: Afghanistan | Nat Geo Live

Summary

This captivating video script explores the remarkable lifestyle of a Kyrgyz community living in the remote Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan. Set at 14,000 feet, this high-altitude, harsh environment has shaped their diet and customs, emphasizing a deep connection with animals and nature. The Kyrgyz are pastoral nomads, surviving through herding yaks, goats, and sheep, with milk, butter, and dried curds forming the core of their diet. The script also highlights their intimate relationship with the animals and the laborious, barter-based process of sourcing essential resources like flour. A unique and fascinating view into a world where survival is intertwined with tradition and harsh realities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is about the evolution of diet and the ancestral ties to food.
• 😀 Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor remains largely untouched by war, providing a unique environment for studying traditional diets.
• 😀 The Kyrgyz community in Afghanistan lives at 14,000 feet in a harsh, high-altitude plateau where survival is heavily reliant on livestock.
• 😀 The Kyrgyz people are pastoralist nomads, relying on yaks, goats, and sheep for food, primarily through dairy products and meat.
• 😀 The food in this community consists mostly of milk-based products, including milk tea, butter, and 'Kurut' (a dried milk curd).
• 😀 Due to the environment, there are limited plant-based foods, with only rhubarb and onions available for a brief period in the summer.
• 😀 The people of this community have a deep connection to their animals, even communicating with them in a way that is integral to their lifestyle.
• 😀 Daily tasks such as fetching water involve breaking ice and carrying it back to their homes, known as yurts.
• 😀 The Kyrgyz diet also includes meat-based dishes, such as mutton, and involves using every part of the animal, with no waste allowed.
• 😀 The process of acquiring flour for their meals is difficult and involves a long journey with yaks, including crossing frozen rivers and bartering goods.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's story?

The main focus of the speaker's story is the evolution of diet and our ancestral ties to the food we eat, particularly focusing on a remote Kyrgyz community in Afghanistan and their traditional way of life.

Why is it difficult to find places unaffected by market food?

It is difficult to find places where market food does not affect local eating habits due to the global spread of market-driven food systems and modern supply chains.

What is the Wakhan Corridor, and why is it significant?

The Wakhan Corridor is a remote area in Afghanistan that has largely been untouched by war. It is significant because it provides a rare example of a community living in isolation from modern food systems and market influences.

What challenges does the Kyrgyz community face in terms of food and resources?

The Kyrgyz community lives at high altitudes where very little grows, relying mostly on their herds for food, with limited access to plants like rhubarb and onions for only a short time each year. This makes food sourcing and survival in such a harsh environment very challenging.

How do the Kyrgyz people maintain their relationship with animals?

The Kyrgyz people have a close and intimate relationship with their animals, as they rely on them for milk, meat, and other resources. They even communicate with their animals in ways that might surprise outsiders, such as calling them in a manner similar to how they interact with horses.

What is 'Kurut,' and why is it significant in the Kyrgyz diet?

Kurut is a dried dairy product made from milk, which is hardened into a stone-like consistency. It is significant because it is stored and used during winter when fresh milk is less available, providing a key part of their diet in harsh conditions.

What role does butter play in the Kyrgyz community?

Butter is highly prized in the Kyrgyz community, and it is sometimes preserved in the stomachs of sheep, making it easier to transport. It is an essential part of their diet and a symbol of their pastoral lifestyle.

How do the Kyrgyz obtain flour, despite their remote location?

The Kyrgyz obtain flour through a labor-intensive process. They travel long distances, sometimes crossing frozen rivers and going over difficult terrain to trade yaks for flour and other necessities in nearby areas.

What types of food do the Kyrgyz typically consume?

The Kyrgyz diet primarily consists of milk tea, butter, and naan (a type of flatbread). They also consume meat, particularly from sheep and goats, and utilize every part of the animal, including the fat and internal organs.

What is the significance of fat in the Kyrgyz diet?

Fat, especially from the fat-tail mutton, is highly prized in the Kyrgyz diet. It symbolizes the success and well-being of the shepherd, as fat-tail mutton is considered a delicacy and a sign of the shepherd's herd being well-fed.