Go Tokyo Your Experience
Jennie was singing loudlyMantraWhile praising the beautiful life of becoming a beautiful girl, on the other side of the earth, some women still live under the rule of extremism, where even revealing their eyes is considered a serious crime. In Afghanistan, despite the Taliban regime, there are still female musicians who have formed an independent band, risking their lives to speak up for women through music.
This band is called Burka Band, and they express the pain and sorrow of Afghan women through simple yet profound music.
Prison that cannot even show its eyes: Burka
Burka, also spelled as Burqa or Burkha in Chinese, is one of the traditional Islamic women’s clothing. This type of robe, which completely covers the body from head to toe, only leaves fine mesh or embroidered holes on the face, allowing the wearer to peek from the inside out, while the outside cannot see their appearance clearly.
This kind of clothing is mainly popular among the conservative TalibanPolitical regions such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as Pashtun areas. At the beginning of the 20th century, Afghanistan made Burka a clear social and religious standard, and the TalibanDuring the first period of political power (1996-2001), women were forced to wear clothing to maintain so-called “dignity” and “protect” their bodies from being seen by outsiders.
Burka has sparked widespread controversy and discussion internationally. Although wearing Burka is a symbol of religious devotion and respect for some Taliban women, many believe it seriously violates women’s freedom and rights. In Afghanistan, the blue Burka has become a social symbol representing the status of women in a male dominated society.
Burka Band: Singing Freedom Under a Robe
Burka Band is in the TalibanThe mysterious band that emerged during the regime’s first rule was composed of three brave Afghan women. They anonymously wore Burka during the performance, and the theme of the music often involves the oppression of women in the Islamic world. This band is famous for their playful and heavily accented English songs.
Their first single Burka Blue describes the repressed and unspeakable stories of being in Burka, and although the lyrics are presented with humor and satire, they can deeply touch people’s hearts. Their music has gained some popularity in Europe and has toured in Germany, even becoming a popular song in German nightclubs at one point.
The Brave Band Wanted by the Taliban
Nevertheless, Burka Band’s music and courage have made them the top wanted targets of the Taliban, as women are prohibited from performing in public under this strict regime. And their performances and international exposure are seen asThe strong challenge and provocation of the regime are serious criminal acts, and there have been instances of the TalibanClaiming to publicly execute them in front of ten thousand people.
As a form of disguise and protection, Burka is both a tight spell for women and a protective umbrella for Burka Band members. Very few people know their true identities.
For safety reasons, their recordings are all conducted in secret, with cameras hidden in Burka used to record music videos. These shots usually need to be taken in remote areas, and the location can be changed within minutes. The rough and blurry images make women’s lives in Afghanistan even more difficult.
The severe policy after the withdrawal of the United States
In 2001, with the United States taking over Afghanistan, the TalibanThe regime has temporarily lost power, but remains active in remote areas. Afterwards, Burka Band released their second singleNo Burka!， Emphasizing once again the plight of Afghan women. However, they disappeared for nearly 20 years thereafter. After the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban regime rose again and restored strict bans on women.
As the oppression of Afghan women intensifies, Burka Band chooses to return with a new songI Care For YouTheir lyrics attempt to give some hope to Afghan women in distress: “Behind the veil, I know you’re there, I can feel your pain and understand your fear. Even though the world is cruel, I love you and will be with you
Hope to see the light again
Nowadays, many members of Burka Band have left Afghanistan and sought refuge overseas, hoping to rebuild their lives and continue to speak out for women’s rights.
However, considering the current tense situation in Afghanistan, members are still unable to perform publicly under the name of Burka Band. As women, they hope that one day all women covered by Burka will see the dawn of freedom.