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Chicken Street
Chicken Street
A shop on Chicken Street
Native nameKoch-e Murgha کوچه مرغ (Dari)
LocationBetween Zargona Road and Shahrara Road, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°31′42″N 69°10′13″E / 34.5282°N 69.1702°E / 34.5282; 69.1702
Other
Known forPopular destination on 1960s/1970s hippie trail; popular destination amongst foreigners in the 2000s

Chicken Street (Dari: کوچه مرغ Koch-e Murgha) is a narrow street located in the Shahr-e Naw district of Kabul east of the Asamayi.[1] It has been an iconic shopping street in the city and popular with foreigners,[2] famous for its carpets, handicrafts and antiques.[3]

History

A salesman on Chicken Street

Chicken Street was the major attraction for foreigners during the Hippie trail from the 1960s to late 1970s. Afghan coats, bracelets and plenty of hashish made it popular.[4] Hippies would also smoke opium here. Along with hotels, it provided items for the travelers to use en route towards Kathmandu. The street and tourism in general declined with the start of the Soviet–Afghan War.[5]

Following the United States invasion of Afghanistan and the influx of foreign diplomats and other visitors, the street was thriving again for it became a popular place for Afghan souvenirs. Traditional Afghan rugs and lapis lazuli stones were popular with shoppers.[6] Emerald, rubies, exotic food and artists selling paintings are among the other attractions on offer. However the departure of most foreign NATO troops by 2014 led to a significant downturn in business. Security issues have also hampered business.[6]

Despite its name, the street is not known for its sale of chickens; those are sold on the adjacent Flower Street.[7]

In popular culture

Chicken Street was the subject of the eponymous 2005 novel by Amanda Sthers.

The street is featured in the 2007 documentary film 16 Days in Afghanistan.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Shopping in Kabul". 6 April 2016.
  2. ^ "As Afghanistan's iconic chicken street fades, peace brings new hope".
  3. ^ Nordland, Rod (22 April 2018). "There Are No Chickens on Chicken Street. Now There Are No Customers Either". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Fletcher, Martin. "Only the brave survive on Chicken Street in Kabul".
  5. ^ https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=74594cd9a03f4853992ff5053be852d8
  6. ^ a b "Hard times on Kabul's Chicken Street". BBC News. 6 December 2015.
  7. ^ "The Kabul Express". 12 January 2003.
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