In a not-so-surprising but utterly strange turn of events, it appears that Afghanistan has decided to quarantine its lone pig so as to appease the public, who – across the entire world – still seem to think that pigs are the likeliest source of H1N1 virus (a.k.a. swine flu).
The lone pig, so lone its Wikipedia entry is actually entitled “Pig of Afghanistan,” was a gift from China to the Kabul zoo, which is only beginning to be rebuilt after being used as a virtual
supermarket by the Taliban for years.
In researching this article, KABOBfest came across the sad history of Marjan the Lion, a prior resident of the Kabul Zoo who was way cooler than any lactating male goat. The sad tale of Marjan’s demise began when a young Afghani, trying to show his swagger, entered the lion’s den and was torn apart by hungry Marjan. In retaliation, a friend of the young man later threw a grenade into the old lion’s den, blinding him. But Marjan lived on, until 2002, when he died awaiting professional veterinary treatment. Marjan is now world-famous, having been mentioned in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. We hereby declare him the KABOBfest mascot. Hear hear, Marjan!
Related posts:
- Afghanistan
- Afghanistan Needs a Karl Rove: The Plan to Bushize Karzai
- The Battle for Mogadishu – Afghanistan Redux?
- Tales from the Israel-U.S. Matrix
- Viagra Makes Advances Against Taliban















I thought the pig should have been our mascot, or the lactating goat. Then again, I can see us as a blind, neglected toothless Lion.
Posted by KABOBfestWill | May 7, 2009, 1:22 pmOooh KABOBpig. Or better, pigKABOB. Haram AND treif, I love it.
Posted by JillianKF | May 7, 2009, 2:32 pmPerhaps we should have a Kabob crest or logo that depicts a kabobpig in flagrante with a toothless lion, now THAT seems to sum us up quite well.
Posted by Nimr | May 7, 2009, 3:48 pmlol @ throwing a grenade into a lion's den!
Posted by eagle007blogger | May 7, 2009, 3:53 pmI concur.
Posted by JillianKF | May 7, 2009, 4:47 pm