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This book was written by Hafiz Shariati and published by Farhang Publications in Kabul in 1404 [2025/26], in octavo format, with a print run of 1,000 copies.
Tanācho is one of Hafiz Shariati’s works and consists of oral narratives concerning the social and historical experiences of the Hazara people. In the introduction to the book, he writes that the Hazara story has historically been written by others—individuals who either lacked a deep understanding of the Hazara people or merely recorded what Afghan interpreters told them. First-hand oral narratives therefore provide an opportunity for Hazaras to introduce themselves to the world as they truly are (Shariati, 1404: 16).
The book is a collection of assorted writings on a variety of subjects. Most of these narratives relate to Jaghori, the author’s birthplace, although they occasionally extend to other parts of Afghanistan where relevant. The book focuses primarily on events in the modern history of the region and Afghanistan, while also addressing oral history and legends commonly told among the people. Owing to the thematic diversity of these writings, the author’s prose also varies considerably, ranging from literary and standard prose to narrative, story-like writing and oral forms of expression.
Rather than being divided into conventional chapters, Tanācho is organised according to the historical periods in which the events occurred. The chronology begins with the Ghaznavid and Ghurid periods, although these are treated only briefly. The more detailed accounts begin with the periods of Nader Shah Afshar and Ahmad Khan Abdali. These are followed by the eras of Abdur Rahman Khan, Amanullah Khan, Nader Shah, Zahir Shah, the left-wing rulers (Nur Muhammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin, Babrak Karmal and Najibullah), the Mujahideen, the Taliban, Karzai and Ashraf Ghani (ibid., 17).
The book begins with the story of Jora Beg and Jora Begum, set in Jaghori in the distant past during the reign of the Ghaznavids. This story is among the legends commonly told by local people. It recounts the fate of the two lovers while also portraying the circumstances of Hazara society during that period. It is a compelling story based on oral accounts.
The book then continues with other events and lived experiences of the Hazara people, recounted in their own words across different periods of history—from Nader Shah Afshar, Ahmad Khan Abdali and Abdur Rahman Khan through to the periods of Nader Shah and Zahir Shah. These include narratives such as Zarbakht, forced displacement, Sāl-e Suz-e Āsmu, the events of Deh-Morda, and the Year of Hunger, also known as the Year of Bangladesh. The narratives eventually reach the contemporary period, including the Taliban era, the subsequent republican government, and the presidency of Ashraf Ghani. For this period, the author continues the narrative through accounts of various events, including the civil wars, the Afghan–Hazara conflict, women’s roles in fighting, the massacre at Kandi Posht, the Kaj girls, and the Enlightenment Movement.
Hafiz Shariati was born in 1357 SH [1978/79] in Jaghori, Ghazni Province. He holds a bachelor’s degree in art from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Balochistan in Pakistan, a master’s degree in journalism from Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran, and a doctorate in literature and linguistics. His areas of interest have consistently included literature, linguistic studies, painting and caricature. He has also been engaged in writing poetry, translating poetry, and studying the literary, cultural and social traditions and oral culture of the Hazara people, demonstrating considerable creativity and talent in these areas (Afghanistan Historians, 1392).
References
Shariati Sahar, Hafiz. (1404). Tanācho: Oral Narratives. Kabul: Farhang Publications.
Afghanistan Historians. (1392). Afghanistan’s Notable Figures blog. [nam-awaran.blogfa.com](https://nam-awaran.blogfa.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Fatemeh Khavari, Asad 1405 [July/August 2026], Mashhad.
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