The Mosaic Of Afghanistan: A Nation Without An Ethnic Majority

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country with no clear ethnic majority. The country is made up of several different ethnic groups, with the Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek peoples being the largest communities. The Pashtuns, the largest group, are estimated to make up between 32-52.4% of the population. The exact ethnic makeup of the country is hard to determine due to decades of war preventing an accurate census. The country's constitution, adopted in 2004, recognises 14 ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkman, Baluch, Pachaie, Nuristani, Aymaq, Arab, Qirghiz, Qizilbash, Gujur, Brahwui and Other Tribes.

Afghanistan's population is made up of several different ethnic groups

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country. There is no accurate census data on the population, especially regarding the size of each ethnic group, due to decades of war. However, it is known that no single ethnic group is large enough to form a majority. Instead, the country is made up of several different ethnic groups.

Article 4 of Afghanistan's constitution mentions 14 ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Baluch, Pachaie, Nuristani, Aymaq, Arab, Qirghiz, Qizilbash, Gujur, Brahwui, and Other Tribes. The Pashtuns, the largest group, are estimated to make up between 32-42% of the population. The Tajiks are the second-largest group, comprising around 27% of the population. Hazaras and Uzbeks are also large communities, with Hazaras making up around 9-12% and Uzbeks around 9% of the population. These first five groups play a prominent role in the country's political life.

The country's population reflects its geographical location, with the presence of several national minorities. The main ethnic groups are dispersed throughout the country as follows: Pashtuns are concentrated mainly in the south and southeast but can be found all over the state; Tajiks inhabit the north, northeast, and the Kabul region; Hazaras live in the centre (Hazarajat) and in Kabul; Uzbeks live in the north; Aimaq in the west; Turkmens in the north; Baluchis in the west and southwest; and Nuristanis in the east.

The ethnic groups in Afghanistan share a similar culture and have adopted traditions and celebrations from each other. For example, Nauruz, a New Year festival, is celebrated by various ethnic groups. Additionally, there is much overlap between the groups, and they are not racially homogenous.

Afghanistan is still largely a tribal society, with considerable variation in terrain and obstacles imposed by high-ranking mountains and deserts, accounting for the country's marked ethnic and cultural differences.

The Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country. The Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, making up an estimated 42% of the population. The exact numbers vary; according to the Library of Congress Country Studies' estimate of 1996, Pashtuns made up 40%, according to other estimates from around the 2000s, around 60% of Afghanistan's population. More recent estimates vary between 42% in 2013 and 52.4% in 2023.

The Pashtuns are also known as Pakhtun, Pathan or Pushtan. They are a nomadic, pastoral, Eastern Iranic ethnic group primarily residing in northwestern Pakistan and southern and eastern Afghanistan. They are united primarily by a common language, Pashto, which is one of the two national languages of Afghanistan. Other commonalities include Sunni Islam and a common social code (Pashtunwali) that governs both ethical behaviour and custom.

The Pashtunwali code requires the speaking of Pashto and the adherence to established customs. Hospitality, protection of guests, defence of property, family honour and protection of female relatives are some of the most important principles for Pashtuns. They rely on the tribal council jirga for the enforcement of disputes and local decision-making, as well as the seclusion of women from all affairs outside the home.

The Pashtuns are historically the dominant ethnic community in Afghanistan, and they have actively fought to keep their predominance throughout Afghan history. They are seen as the historic founders of the Afghan Kingdom, with an apparent predominance in administrative power until recently.

The Pashtuns can be further divided into major sub-tribes, such as the Ghilzali and Durrani, and several smaller ones, including the Jaji, Safi, Wardak, Shinwari, Tani, Mohmand, Jardan, Khungiani, and Mangal. They are easily recognised from other Afghans by their Pashto language and their unique way of living called Pashtinwali.

The geographic distribution of the Pashtuns varies, but they are highly concentrated in southern Afghanistan and parts of the east, with large minorities elsewhere. Big cities with a Pashtun majority include Jalalabad, Kandahar, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Khost, Kohat, Lashkar Gah, Mardan, Mingora, Peshawar, Quetta, among others.

The origins of the Pashtun people are debated, including among the Pashtun themselves. One Pashtun tradition asserts that they are descended from Afghana, grandson of King Saul of Israel. There are also theories that they are descended from Eastern Iranians, who immigrated to the area from Persia.

The term "Afghan" is synonymous with the ethnonym "Pashtun", but in modern times the term became the national identity of the people who live in Afghanistan.

The country's political life has been dominated by ethnic Pashtuns

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic society with no single ethnic majority. The Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in the country, making up around 42% of the population. They are also the historic founders of the Afghan Kingdom and have dominated the country's political life.

Pashtuns are united by the Pashto language, which is an official language in Afghanistan, and a common social code called Pashtunwali, which governs ethical behaviour and customs. The Pashtunwali code includes principles such as hospitality, protection of property, family honour, and the seclusion of women from all affairs outside the home.

Pashtuns are predominantly Sunni Muslims and are found mainly in the south and east of the country. They have a strong sense of tribal identity, with each tribe divided into clans and sub-tribes. Despite their past dominance, Pashtuns have never formed a homogeneous group, and many have been oppressed by elites from their own community.

Pashtuns have actively fought to maintain their predominance in Afghanistan throughout history. They have played a central role in Afghan politics, with their dominant position often triggering conflict. For example, conflict arose between partners in the Mujahidin coalition that fought against the Soviet-backed government of President Mohammad Najibullah. Following the Soviet withdrawal, President Burhanuddin Rabbani, a Tajik, led the opposition, while Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and the Taliban troops opposing him were mainly Pashtun.

The Taliban regime, which was predominantly Pashtun, was responsible for grave human rights violations and ethnic discrimination. However, despite being in power, the majority of the Pashtun community continued to suffer discrimination, especially those families who had been moved to the north by Amir Abdur Rahman Khan over a hundred years earlier. There have been reports of ethnic massacres and continuing violence targeting Pashtuns as vengeance for the Taliban regime's excesses.

After the fall of the Taliban, there was a shift in the traditional power balance. The first post-Taliban president, Hamid Karzai, was Pashtun, but the central government was dominated by the Uzbeks and Tajiks of the Northern Alliance. This shift in power dynamics created dissatisfaction among Pashtuns, who felt marginalised.

Pashtuns have always been well-represented in the Afghan government and military. Important government positions have historically been held by Pashtuns, and the Afghan Armed Forces were traditionally dominated by them as well. Notable Pashtun political figures include former presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani, as well as several governors and ministers.

Pashtuns have a strong influence on Afghanistan's culture and national identity. Pashto is one of the official languages, and the Pashtun dress is the national dress. Their rich cultural heritage includes traditional music, dancing, poetry, and storytelling.

The Tajiks form the second-largest ethnic group in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country with no single ethnic group forming a majority. The Tajiks are the second-largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, believed to make up around 27% of the population. They are native Persian-speaking people with Iranian origins, also referred to as Farsi.

The Tajiks have a strong presence in Afghanistan's neighbouring country, Tajikistan, where they are the principal ethnic group. In Afghanistan, they are mainly concentrated in the north-east of the country, along the border with Tajikistan, but they can also be found in the centre and west of the country, as well as in major cities like Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-e Sharif.

The Tajiks have a significant influence on Afghan politics and are considered to make up the bulk of the country's elite, with considerable wealth and education. They have a history of political mobilisation and resistance, particularly against the Taliban. During the Soviet-Afghan War, the Tajik-dominated Jamiat-e Islami, led by Burhanuddin Rabbani and Ahmad Shah Massoud, resisted the Soviet Army and the communist Afghan government.

The Tajiks are predominantly Sunni Muslims, with a small minority of Twelver Imami Shi'a in the west, around the city of Herat. They speak Dari, a dialect of Persian, which is also one of the official languages of Afghanistan.

The Tajiks are known for their artistic traditions, including poetry, folk tales, artwork, songs, and dances. They also have a talent for crafts, such as elaborate embroideries on fabric, carpets, wall hangings, and headpieces. Additionally, they are known for their hospitality, which is a shared cultural trait with other Afghan peoples.

Historically, the Tajiks are one of the most ancient surviving Central Asian people groups, dating back to the 4th century. They are believed to be descended from Persian peoples and have distinctive physical characteristics, such as tall and slender builds, fair skin, and blue or green eyes.

The Hazaras are one of the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan

The Hazaras were once the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, constituting nearly two-thirds of the total population before the 19th century. However, their population has declined significantly due to forced migration, land grabbing, and persecution. In the late 19th century, Pashtun King Amir Abdur Rahman Khan led a genocidal campaign of violence against the Hazaras, massacring, enslaving, and forcing them to flee. This resulted in the Hazara community settling in the Indian subcontinent and Iran, particularly the Pakistani city of Quetta and various districts in Iran's eastern provinces.

Historically, the Hazaras have faced severe political, social, and economic repression, including being targeted by slave raids and facing stigmatization, marginalization, and discrimination in education and public sector employment. They have also been the targets of extremist violence by groups such as the Taliban and the Islamic State. Despite their growing political clout, many Hazaras continue to feel discriminated against in Afghanistan.

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