Analyzing Talibantaranas(chants): an effective Afghan propaganda artifact

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.

Understanding Taliban Resurgence: Ethno‐Symbolism and Revolutionary Mobilization

“…In a similar vein but more suited to Afghanistan's local audiences, the Taliban disseminate taranas (chants) and shabnamah (night letters) among the local population that emphasize nationalist pride and remind Afghans of past episodes of 'glorious' resistance against foreign invaders. By referring to central components of Pashtunwali such as courage and honour, they specifically instruct Pashtuns 'to get the sword of their ancestors' to protect Afghanistan from the invasion of nonbelievers (Johnson 2007b;Johnson and Waheed 2011). In their DVDs, the Taliban constantly emphasize stories of oppression and humiliation at the hands of foreign forces and the moral degradation of their enemies.…”

Temporal, mystic and religious love : the poetry of the Taliban / Mateusz M. Klagisz.

“…Aufgenommen wurde es in einem hinterzimmer des Studios und dann mit der ganzen Fantasie des Fotografen bearbeitet'. 7 These photographs and their poetry show us that the Taliban world view is not as simple as we think. Specifically, their ban on music does not include all music.…”

Analysing the new Taliban Code of Conduct (Layeha): an assessment of changing perspectives and strategies of the Afghan Taliban

“…As will be seen below, the document reveals the Taliban's attempt to wage a guerrilla campaign in concert with a rudimentary population-centric strategy -including the important creation of a complaints commission -a shura that investigates suspected abuse of Afghan civilians by Taliban leaders and their fighters. It appears that the Taliban have become particularly sensitive to local perceptions and increasingly rely upon traditional 'population-centric' lines of operation to consolidate their battle for 'hearts and minds' of the Afghan populace and especially the southern, rural, Pashtun (Johnson 2007b, Nathan 2008, Johnson and Waheed 2011.…”