As night falls over Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, much of the city is plunged into darkness, with the cold and pollution settling in. However, a few glittering wedding halls pierce the gloom, shining as rare displays of opulence amid the harsh conditions.
The city of over six million people suffers from frequent power outages, with only the wealthiest able to afford expensive generators or solar panels to keep the lights on. The streets, deserted after dark, present a stark contrast to the chaotic bustle of the daytime.
Since the Taliban took power in 2021, a veil of sadness has descended over the capital. Music has been banned from restaurants, women are prohibited from parks, and once colorful pro-peace graffiti has been replaced with calls to holy war.
The only places where light shines are the wedding halls, which, in Afghan culture, are seen as a pivotal life event. These halls, often segregated by gender with music allowed only on the women’s side, remain a symbol of the culture’s resilience.
Director Mohammad Wassil Qaumi of the Imperial Continental wedding hall explains, “In Afghanistan, marriage is the most important event for boys and girls. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, and there’s very little divorce here.” His halls are luxurious, complete with gilded trim and neon lights, costing up to $20,000 for a wedding—a steep price in a country where 85% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day.
Despite the high costs, weddings are seen as a cultural necessity, and people go into debt to host large gatherings. The demand for electricity is high, but with only limited power available, these venues rely on expensive generators and solar panels to remain operational, investing thousands of dollars to ensure their lights shine.
As Kabul faces electricity shortages, the city’s wedding halls stand as beacons of light and joy, offering one of the few remaining spaces for people to come together, celebrate, and showcase their new clothes and jewelry.
