What animals live in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has some remarkable wild creatures living across its rugged mountains and dry plains. Snow leopards prowl the high peaks of the Hindu Kush mountains, while Marco Polo sheep — with their huge curling horns — roam some of the highest ridges in the world. Brown bears and wolves also make their home in the rocky highlands. Down in the lower valleys and deserts, you might spot striped hyenas, golden jackals, and Asiatic wildcats. The country sits along a major flyway for migrating birds, so eagles, falcons, and cranes pass through each year. Afghanistan's land is rugged and hard — and the people who live alongside these animals face many hardships too. That's one reason missionaries pray so much for this country.

What do kids eat in Afghanistan?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Afghanistan often eat flatbread called naan, which comes fresh and warm from clay ovens called tandoors. A favorite meal is rice cooked with raisins, carrots, and lamb — called qabuli pulao — and it smells wonderful when it's ready. Rusty wants to add that many Afghan families also love a thick stew called shorwa, made with vegetables and meat, perfect for dipping that naan into. Sadly, many children in Afghanistan don't always have enough to eat, because life there is very hard right now. That's something we can bring to God in prayer — that every child there would have what they need, and even more, that they would hear about Jesus, the Bread of Life.

How do people say hello in Afghanistan?

In Afghanistan, the most common greeting is 'As-salamu alaykum,' which is Arabic for 'Peace be upon you.' People say this because most Afghans are Muslim, and this greeting is used across many Muslim communities around the world. The reply is 'Wa alaykum as-salam,' meaning 'And upon you be peace.' Greetings in Afghanistan are a big deal — they can go on for a while! People often ask about your health, your family, and your journey before getting to business. A handshake is common between men, and close friends might place a hand over their heart as a sign of respect. Knowing even one word of greeting in someone's language is a small kindness that opens big doors — and that's something missionaries in Afghanistan have learned to use well.

What sports or games do kids play in Afghanistan?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Afghanistan love a game called Buzkashi — it's a wild horseback sport where riders compete to grab a goat carcass and carry it to a goal. It's one of the oldest and most famous sports in the country, and it takes serious skill to ride and compete. Rusty wants to add that many Afghan kids also play soccer, fly kites, and enjoy a game called 'Topaklak' — a kind of spinning top competition. Kite flying is especially loved, and there are even kite-fighting contests where kids try to cut each other's kite strings. Life has been very hard for children in Afghanistan for many years, with war and poverty making things difficult. We can pray that kids there would hear about Jesus and know His love, and that local churches would grow strong so they can share hope with their neighbors.

What's the weather like in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has some of the most dramatic weather you can imagine! In the mountains, winters are bitterly cold with heavy snow — temperatures can drop well below freezing. But in the desert lowlands, summers are scorching hot, sometimes reaching over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring is the nicest season in most of Afghanistan — green hills, wildflowers, and mild temperatures. But the rugged mountains, like the Hindu Kush range, stay snow-capped for much of the year. Those mountains actually make it very hard to travel between villages, which is one reason it can be difficult for people sharing the gospel to reach every community there.

Tell me a fun fact about Afghanistan.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Afghanistan is home to one of the world's oldest cities — the city of Balkh, sometimes called 'the mother of cities.' People have lived there for thousands of years, long before many famous cities in Europe or America were ever built. Rusty wants to add this: Afghanistan also sits right at the crossroads of Asia, which means for centuries merchants and travelers passed through it on the ancient Silk Road, carrying spices, silk, and stories between China, India, and Europe. All those people crossing through — and yet today, so many in Afghanistan still haven't heard the good news about Jesus. That's exactly why this place is on our map.

What is school like for kids in Afghanistan?

School in Afghanistan has been very difficult, especially in recent years. Many children — particularly girls — have been told they cannot go to school at all. Boys often study in simple buildings with few books, and sometimes classes are held outside on the ground. Learning to read is a big deal in Afghanistan because many adults never had the chance. That also means millions of people have never been able to read the Bible for themselves. Some brave teachers and missionaries have worked hard to bring learning — and the good news about Jesus — to Afghan children, even when it is risky to do so.

Who are the unreached people in Afghanistan?

Great question! Afghanistan is home to many different people groups, and most of them have never had a real chance to hear about Jesus. The largest group is the Pashtun people — there are tens of millions of them, and almost none follow Jesus. The Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Aimaqs are other big groups living across the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan, and they are considered 'unreached' too, which means very few Christians live among them to share the good news. When we say a people group is 'unreached,' it means less than 2 out of every 100 people are followers of Jesus — so there aren't enough local believers to tell their own neighbors about Him without help from outside. Afghanistan is one of the hardest places in the world to be a Christian. People who trust Jesus can face great danger from their own families and communities. But God loves every Pashtun, every Tajik, every Hazara — and He is able to reach them. Missionaries, radio broadcasts in local languages like Pashto and Dari, and brave Afghan Christians are all part of how the gospel is slowly spreading there.

How can I pray for the people of Afghanistan?

Afghanistan is a place where following Jesus can cost someone everything — their family, their home, even their life. But even there, God is at work, and your prayers matter more than you might think. We can ask God to bring the good news about Jesus to people who have never heard it, and to protect the Afghan Christians who meet in secret. You can also pray that brave missionaries and local believers would have courage to share the gospel, and that the Bible would be translated into more of the languages spoken across Afghanistan. Ask God to raise up Afghan leaders who love Jesus and can teach others — because the best messengers for Afghanistan are often Afghan people themselves.

What is a holiday or celebration in Afghanistan?

One of the biggest celebrations in Afghanistan is called Nowruz, which means 'New Year' in the Dari language. It marks the first day of spring and is celebrated with special foods, games, and family gatherings. Many Afghans fly colorful kites and eat a dish called samanak, made from wheat sprouts. Afghanistan is also a majority Muslim country, so holidays like Eid al-Fitr — which comes at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan — are very widely celebrated with feasts and gifts. Most people in Afghanistan have not yet heard the good news about Jesus as their Savior, so while they celebrate these holidays, they are still searching for the true hope that only He can give. That is why missionaries and Afghan believers work hard to share the gospel, even in difficult times.

What language do people speak in Afghanistan?

Great question! Afghanistan has two main official languages: Dari and Pashto. Dari is a kind of Persian, and Pashto is spoken by the Pashtun people, the largest ethnic group in the country. Many Afghans grow up speaking both! Afghanistan is actually home to dozens of smaller languages too, like Uzbek, Turkmen, and Hazaragi. That means some people groups have waited a very long time — or are still waiting — for the Bible to be translated into their own heart language. Missionaries and Bible translators work hard so that every person can read about Jesus in the words they grew up with.

What's a famous place to visit in Afghanistan?

One of the most famous places in Afghanistan is the city of Bamiyan, tucked up in a high mountain valley in the middle of the country. It is known for two enormous empty cliff-faces where giant stone statues once stood — they were carved into the rock over 1,500 years ago and were among the tallest standing statues in the ancient world. The statues were destroyed in 2001, so now only the carved-out niches remain in the cliff, which is a little sad to think about. But the valley itself is still striking — surrounded by rugged mountains and home to the Afghan people who have lived there for centuries. Afghanistan has a long and layered history, and we pray that the people there, who have seen so much hardship, will one day hear clearly that Jesus loves them and came to save them.

Afghanistan — Kids Missions Explorer

Snow Leopard

This pale, spotted cat with its thick tail lives high in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan, hunting wild sheep and goats across the rocky slopes.

Marco Polo Sheep

Named after the famous explorer who described them in the 1200s, these large wild sheep have record-breaking curved horns that can stretch over four feet long.

Bactrian Camel

Unlike the one-humped camels of Arabia, the two-humped Bactrian camel is built for the cold deserts of Central Asia and has been used in Afghanistan as a working animal for thousands of years.

Mantu

These small steamed dumplings filled with spiced lamb and onion are draped in a sauce of yogurt and tomato, and Afghans often make them together as a family for special gatherings.

Kabuli Pulao

Considered the national dish, this fragrant rice is slow-cooked with lamb, raisins, and julienned carrots until the flavors are rich and slightly sweet.

Naan

Baked in a clay tandoor oven, Afghan naan is a long, thick flatbread with a slightly crisp crust that is eaten at almost every meal alongside soup, meat, or tea.

Afghanistan

Things you should know about Afghanistan

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Afghanistan

Missions in Afghanistan

Pray for Afghanistan