Shargha
Shargha, a young Kyrgyz girl, milks a yak outside her family's home in Afghanistan's Pamir Mountains, dressed in traditional clothing and the red veil worn before marriage. Morning and evening milking form an essential part of daily life for Kyrgyz families, providing milk used to make yogurt, qurut, and other staples that sustain the community throughout the year. The photograph offers a glimpse into a rhythm of life shaped by the landscape, where generations have depended on their animals to survive one of the world's highest inhabited environments.
Shargha bears the name of the young girl pictured. The title honors both her and the enduring traditions of the Kyrgyz community she represents.
Growing up as an Afghan-American, Malikyar knew two different versions of his motherland: the Afghanistan portrayed in the headlines, and the Afghanistan he knew through his family. Before ever experiencing the country himself, he came to know a place filled with beauty, culture, and humanity through stories, photographs, music, food, and tradition.
Guided by his Afghan heritage and relationships built on trust, Malikyar created this body of work over repeated journeys across Afghanistan, documenting daily life through moments of family, tradition, spirituality, work, and play. Many of the photographs were made during a brief period of access, preserving communities, traditions, and ways of life at a pivotal moment in the country's history. Together, they offer a portrait of Afghanistan shaped not by conflict alone, but by the dignity, beauty, and humanity that have always been part of its story.
For Malikyar, the series is also the fulfillment of a promise he made to himself as a child: that one day he would return and share the Afghanistan he knew existed with the world
ARTWORK SIZES
Prints are available unframed, or professionally framed.
+ 18×24 in (45×61 cm) print, total framed size: 24x30” (61x76cm)
+ 30×40 in (76×101.6 cm) print, total framed size: 38x48” (96x122cm)
+ 40×54 in (102×137 cm) print, total framed size: 48x62” (122x157cm)
ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS
+ Fine Art Paper: Archival pigment print on Canson Baryta Photographique 310gsm.
+ Presentation: Framed artworks are mounted with a white 8-ply archival mat for a refined museum-quality presentation. Each piece arrives ready to hang with all necessary hardware.
+ Frame: Solid wood gallery frame available in white, black, or natural wood.
+ Glazing: UV-protective, non-glare acrylic for enhanced protection while minimizing reflections.
+ Certificate of Authenticity: Each artwork includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity detailing the title, edition, size, and production information.
We currently ship to:
+ United States
+ Canada
+ European Union
+ United Kingdom
+ Australia
Each artwork is made to order and typically ships within 10-20 days of purchase. All shipments are fully insured and include tracking. Once your order has shipped, you'll receive a tracking number by email so you can follow your artwork throughout its journey. Delivery times may vary depending on destination and courier.