Mannequin's heads are covered in a women's dress store store in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. Under the Taliban, the mannequins in women's dress shops across the Afghan capital Kabul are a haunting sight, their heads cloaked in cloth sacks or wrapped in black plastic bags. The hooded mannequins are one symbol of the Taliban's puritanical rule over Afghanistan (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
Mannequin's heads are covered in a women's dress store store in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. Under the Taliban, the mannequins in women's dress shops across the Afghan capital Kabul are a haunting sight, their heads cloaked in cloth sacks or wrapped in black plastic bags. The hooded mannequins are one symbol of the Taliban's puritanical rule over Afghanistan (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they wanted mannequins to be outright beheaded
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they wanted mannequins to be outright beheaded
Some clothes sellers complied. But others pushed back
Some clothes sellers complied. But others pushed back
The Taliban eventually allowed shop owners to cover mannequins’ heads
The Taliban eventually allowed shop owners to cover mannequins’ heads
Today, merchants balance between obeying the Taliban and trying to attract customers
Today, merchants balance between obeying the Taliban and trying to attract customers
The hooded mannequins are a show of creativity by Kabul’s dress merchants
The hooded mannequins are a show of creativity by Kabul’s dress merchants
Mannequins in evening gowns and dresses — and all in various types of head coverings
Mannequins in evening gowns and dresses — and all in various types of head coverings
Elaborate dresses have always been popular in Afghanistan for weddings
Elaborate dresses have always been popular in Afghanistan for weddings
The Ministry of Vice and Virtue regularly patrol shops to make sure mannequins are beheaded or covered
The Ministry of Vice and Virtue regularly patrol shops to make sure mannequins are beheaded or covered
“When I see [a hooded mannequin], I feel they are also captured and trapped, and I get a sense of fear,” said a woman who only gave her first name, Rahima
“When I see [a hooded mannequin], I feel they are also captured and trapped, and I get a sense of fear,” said a woman who only gave her first name, Rahima
Shop owner Hakim uses aluminium foil to cover his mannequins’ heads. It adds creative appeal, he says
Shop owner Hakim uses aluminium foil to cover his mannequins’ heads. It adds creative appeal, he says

World

Kabul's hooded mannequins under Taliban rules - in pictures

Initially the political movement wanted the figures to be beheaded, but they have since been covered up

The National

January 17, 2023

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