The only thing we all have in common is Name. Our names have different meanings with varying historical backgrounds. Some of us are named after great emperors; while some are named as the religious sentiments for the prophets/ messengers.
Similarly, names of places have their own backgrounds. The word Bamyan meaning “the bright place” is derived from the Pahlavi word “Bam” meaning “Shinning/ sparkling”. In Chinese documents, Bamyan was once known as Fan-Yang or Fan-Yan-Na.
Entering Bamyan “The Shining City” you will be embraced by the welcome signboard with portrait of the Giant Buddha niche and some of the tourist attractions of Bamyan making you plan a “Must Tour” of the province. Driving 15 km from Shash Pul, you enter Bamyan bazaar with some newly constructed shops and markets of all products, which are either locally produced or are being imported from Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif or the neighboring countries of Iran & Pakistan.
What draws a visitor are the boards of the shop showing the eternal association of the owners with Bamyan. Almost every other board has a name related to the history, culture and evolutions of Bamyan.
The will & devotion to do good for the people and their health is portrayed with a sign of affection for Bamyan through their signs. They commit themselves for the better health of people.
With the unprecedented progress in the urban development, the people of Bamyan make every single effort to meet the demands of the contemporary arena for which the construction companies join hands together expressed through their signs.
Clothes are the prominent signs of our culture. Therefore, how can Bamyan boutiques, tailors and shoe markets remain mute in the struggle to revive and promote Bamyan culture? Their products please the costumers and their sing portray their love for Bamyan’s history and culture.
Some of the boards are the sings of significance and value of the first National Park, Band-e-Amir, the lakes of which are formed under the great influence of the seismic activity.
Some of the signs remind us both horrific and prosperous eras of Bamyan. For instance, one of the signs remind us how horribly the entire population of the city of Gholghola was massacred as Genghis Khan avenged on the death of his beloved grandson Mutugan, who was killed by the city defenders during the siege of the area by Mutugan’s troops.
Bamyan has witnessed the development in IT to be part of the technological awareness and development. But to meet the timely demands of the technological development, the people of Bamyan do not forget the root of their history and culture. The combination of this development and history is displayed in some of the sings.
Bamyan having produced great local and national artists is proud of its music industry. The folk music of the central highlands portrays the affection of the lovers, patriotism for the homeland, hospitality and beauty of the locals and the kindness of the Almighty for the land. Some of the music shops have sign names of Bamyan.
Bamyan with development of tourism industry has become a four-season tourist destination and you will now have great options of plan a tour any time of the year with the winter games program. There are great potentials of cross-country and back-country skiing in Bamyan and a locally run tour operator is working to promote winter games in Bamyan. Koh-e-Baba mountain ranges are waiting for your skiing plans.
Not only do the sings, but also their mottoes draw every visitor and hold them awhile. These mottoes encourage the people to buy local products for the economic development of Bamyan so that prosperity is the lasting of Bamyan.
For the success of Bamyan,
Jawad Jahid
