Afghanistan is a land drenched in blood and fire, where the interests of the most powerful world powers have clashed for centuries. The Soviet Union at one time also got involved in this battle, which does not make sense to be proud of. The war in Afghanistan brought to the USSR not only grief and despair of mothers, but also intricate terms that veterans widely used when communicating with each other. Among these words are "shuravi" and "bacha".
Who are the shuravi
"Hello, Shuravi!" This is how local residents addressed Soviet civilian specialists and military personnel during the war in Afghanistan, which lasted from 1979 to 1989. This word has Persian and Arabic roots, it comes from the terms denoting “Soviet; advice ". This name, which at first received circulation among the indigenous inhabitants of Afghanistan, was later widely spread among those who were considered veterans of the Afghan war. The word "shuravi" today is usually pronounced with a neutral, but more often - with a positive connotation. But among the orthodox dushmans who fought with those whom they considered invaders, during the war there was a hostile slogan: "Death of the Shuravi!"
In modern Afghanistan, calling someone "shuravi" is like giving him a medal for courage and bravery. Shuravi, Afghans believe, are never afraid of anything. This rank will be more impressive than the general's. There is in this word an echo of sentimentality that is not characteristic of the inhabitants of Afghanistan, a certain tribute to the one who is essentially an enemy. Likewise, two equally strong beasts that have clashed in mortal combat look at each other with respect. This attitude is typical for a colorful country, where war is only a constant exercise of spirit and body, where they not only know how to fight to the last, but also value the breadth of the soul, humanity and kindness. Shuravi erected factories and hospitals in a backward country, opened schools for children, laid roads in impassable places. Paradoxically, but true: the shuravi were both an adversary and a friend for millions of Afghans.
In 1988, a feature film "Shuravi" was shot in the USSR, which told about the events in Afghanistan. The plot of the action movie is simple and complex at the same time: Muscovite Nikolai is captured. Neither threats of physical violence, nor persuasion, nor promises can force the hero to change his oath and forget his military duty. He hatches the idea of fleeing from captivity in order to inform his leadership about the planned attack on a strategically important facility. And in the end he succeeds. Shuravi and such a difficult situation was at his best.
Bacha: a clash of meanings
But the history of the term "bacha" is much more complicated. In a number of Eastern cultures there is a tradition of raising boys in the manner of girls. Afghanistan, which has not shaken off the shackles of the medieval era, is characterized by a different tradition. Here, girls are often brought up the way boys are supposed to be raised.
The fact is that in this Asian country, male children are still valued more than girls. In order to somehow raise their social status, parents in families where only girls are born use a trick: one of the daughters becomes "bacha posh". What does it mean? From now on, the girl will be dressed only in men's outfits. Literally the term can be translated just like that: “dressed like a boy”.
Girls who have become "bacha" have the same rights and freedoms as boys. They go to school, can play sports, travel. And even get a job. Bacha is considered a man not only at home, but also outside it. He is always spoken of only with the use of the masculine gender.
Over the years, parents can no longer ignore their natural gender - nature cannot be fooled, unlike neighbors (who may well not even suspect that their son is friends with "bacha posh"). By the time of puberty, girls who are turned into boys are deprived of all social advantages and are considered ordinary girls. And they change the freedom peculiar to men for girlish invisibility, bashfulness and modesty.
In the most literal translation, "bacha" (with the accent on the last syllable) simply means "guy", "boy." In the Russian language, the meaning of the word "bacha" was radically changed, it acquired an independent meaning. It meant something like "dear", "brother", "friend". This appeal of the former "Afghans" to each other has become a symbol of unity and military comradeship. Those who have gone through the Afghan school of life understand each other and support each other as much as possible. And they forgive a lot. The address "bacha" has become one of the invisible threads that firmly connects those who have the right to be called that.
Honoring the soldiers who passed through Afghanistan, the word "veteran" was stubbornly applied to them in Soviet institutions and school assembly halls. But is this term suitable for young guys who were far from the age of forty? So another name - "bacha" has taken root among young veterans.
