This art can be traced back to ancient times, even to prehistoric human societies, where oral narration represented the earliest form of structured thought and human expression. As E. M. Forster notes in Aspects of the Novel, the first audiences of storytelling were early humans who, after exhausting days of hunting mammoths and other giant creatures, gathered around fires and listened to storytellers in a state between sleep and wakefulness.
This ancient tradition gradually evolved from myths and legends into written forms after the invention of writing, paving the way for the development of literature. In the modern world, from works such as Don Quixote to the emergence of the novel and the short story, storytelling has continued its evolution, becoming one of the most complex and artistic forms of literary expression.
The Beginning of Modern Storytelling in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, modern storytelling began with the short story form. Its earliest foundations can be traced back to the era of King Amanullah Khan and the early decades of the 20th century, when a relatively open cultural atmosphere allowed the emergence of new newspapers and magazines. Works such as “Jihad Akbar,” published in the magazine Ma’arif, are considered among the first examples of narrative prose in the country. This period marked the transition from traditional oral storytelling to modern literary fiction.
In the following decades, writers such as Najibullah Torwiana, Ali Ahmad Naimi, Soleiman Ali Jaghori, and others laid the foundation of the Afghan short story tradition. Their works were often shaped by social, national, and ethical concerns, reflecting a society in transition.
Decades of Transformation: From Romanticism to Realism
During the 1930s and 1940s, Afghan storytelling gradually developed and was influenced by global literary movements, particularly realism. The translation of foreign literary works, especially from Russian literature, played a significant role in shaping writers’ perspectives. In this period, storytelling moved away from romantic and emotional narratives toward representations of everyday life.
However, political restrictions and censorship often hindered the natural development of this literary movement. Many writers were silenced or forced into exile. This migration, while disruptive to domestic literary continuity, also contributed to the emergence of a new branch of Afghan literature abroad.
Diaspora Literature and Global Recognition
In recent decades, Afghan storytelling has flourished within the diaspora, particularly in Iran, Pakistan, and Europe. Writers such as Dr. Akram Osman, Spozhmai Zaryab, Atiq Rahimi, Asif Sultanzai, Maryam Mahboob, and others have produced significant works exploring themes of exile, identity, war, and the search for meaning. These narratives have transcended national borders and entered global literary discourse.
Contemporary Storytelling: Between Challenge and Hope
In recent years, storytelling in Afghanistan has faced serious challenges, including a decline in cultural infrastructure, reduced institutional support, and shifting audience interests. Nevertheless, young writers inside and outside the country continue to experiment and create new literary forms.
According to some veteran writers, the current state of Afghan literature is marked by stagnation and uncertainty. However, this does not signal the end of storytelling; rather, it represents a transitional phase in which new forms of literary expression are emerging.