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Introducing Samangan (Aibak)
Samangan is an ancient town in a valley of rich farmland where the Hindu Kush starts to meet the Central Asian steppe. It was already old when the Arabs and Mongols visited, having been a major Buddhist centre under the Kushans in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. The remains of this site, Takht-e Rostam, sit on a hill above the town.
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The town was a medieval caravan stop known as Aibak, a name many locals still use today. Samangan still holds a sizeable weekly market every Thursday and is noted for its craftsmen who make traditional Afghan musical instruments such as the dutar (two-stringed lute) and zirbaghali (a drum made from pottery). Ask for the Bazaar-e Danbora Faroshi (Lute-Sellers’ bazaar).
Samangan’s bread is equally renowned – round Uzbek loaves that are sold by the roadside to vehicles travelling between Mazar-e Sharif and Kabul. There is a large Uzbek population in the town, and you can see pictures of General Dostum on display.
The town sits just west of the main highway, with the road into town leading to the main square and bazaar. Takht-e Rostam is 3km to the southwest, a 100Afg ride in an autorickshaw. There are no decent hotels in town, but it’s an easy day trip from Mazar-e Sharif.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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