The Complex Social Fabric Of Afghanistan: Unraveling The Threads Of Caste And Cultural Identity

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, with a population made up of numerous ethnolinguistic groups, including Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek, as well as smaller minorities. The country's ethnic groups have no clear boundaries between them, and there is much overlap in their traditions and celebrations. However, there is a strict divide between the people, with Pashtuns holding the majority of positions of power and wealth, and other groups, such as the Hazara, facing discrimination and living in poverty. This has created a system of inequality and has been described as a caste system.

The Pashtun are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society. The Pashtun are the largest ethnic group in the country, with estimates of their population ranging from 42% to 60% of the total population. They are also known as Pakhtun, Pathan, Pushtun, or Pathans. The term "Afghan" was synonymous with the ethnonym "Pashtun" but has since become the national identity of the people of Afghanistan.

The Pashtun people are united by a common language, Pashto, and the majority follow Sunni Islam. They also adhere to a common social code, Pashtunwali, which governs ethical behaviour and customs. This includes the importance of hospitality, protection of guests, defence of property, family honour, and the protection of female relatives. Women are required to wear the burka, and men typically wear loose-fitting shirts and trousers.

The Pashtun people are spread over a wide geographic area, south of the Amu River and west of the Indus River. They are found all over Pakistan and Afghanistan, with large communities in cities such as Jalalabad, Kandahar, Bannu, and Peshawar, among others.

The Pashtun people have a complex tribal system, with around 60 tribes of varying importance and size. The two largest groups are the Durrani and Ghilji (or Ghilzai), who together make up around two-thirds of Afghan Pashtuns. The Pashtun tribes are further divided into kinship groups called khels, which are then split into smaller groups called pllarina or plarganey, and finally into extended families called kahols.

The Pashtun have historically been dominant in Afghanistan, with many holding positions of power. However, they have never formed a homogeneous group, and there are often conflicts between different tribes and sub-tribes. Despite this, they have generally united when faced with external threats or interference by a central non-Pashtun government.

The Pashtun people have a rich culture, with traditional music, dancing, poetry, and storytelling. They are predominantly sedentary farmers, combining cultivation with animal husbandry, but some are migratory herders and caravaners.

The Hazara people are discriminated against due to their appearance

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society with a population consisting of various ethnolinguistic groups, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. The Hazara people, who are believed to be descendants of Genghis Khan, have distinct physical features, such as Asian eye and nose shapes, that set them apart from other Afghans. This distinct appearance has led to discrimination and marginalization, with the Hazara often deemed as outsiders in their own country.

Historically, the Hazara have faced severe political, social, and economic repression, including enslavement, displacement, and massacres. In the 19th century, Pashtun King Abdur Rahman Khan led a genocidal campaign against the Hazaras, resulting in the killing, enslavement, and dispossession of a significant portion of the population. This systematic discrimination and violence have had long-lasting impacts on the Hazara community, contributing to their stigmatization and decline in social standing.

Even in modern times, the Hazara continue to experience discrimination and prejudice due to their appearance. They are often viewed as inferior and subjected to insults, humiliation, and derogatory names. Children with Hazara features are mocked and bullied, facing nicknames like "flat-nosed" due to their distinct ethnic looks. This discrimination is not limited to social interactions but also extends to educational and employment opportunities. The Hazara have traditionally faced discrimination in education and public sector employment, further marginalizing them within Afghan society.

The Hazara's distinct appearance, particularly their Asian physical traits, makes them easily identifiable, exacerbating their vulnerability to discrimination and abuse. Despite their growing political influence, many Hazaras still feel discriminated against due to their ethnicity and physical features. This discrimination is deeply rooted in Afghanistan's history and has resulted in the systematic exclusion of the Hazara from various aspects of Afghan society, including government, economic opportunities, and social dynamics.

The Hazara people are the lowest in the social hierarchy

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society. The Hazara people are the lowest in the country's social hierarchy. The Hazara people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan, accounting for up to 20% of the country's 30 million inhabitants. They are believed to be descendants of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, and the Mongol soldiers who swept through the region in the 13th century. The Hazara people have distinct Asiatic features and a dialect of Persian that set them apart from other Afghans, including the predominant ethnic group, the Pashtun.

The Hazara people have faced discrimination and humiliation throughout history due to their distinct ethnic looks. They have been mocked and called names such as "flat-nosed" and "mice-eating" by other Afghans. They have also been denied access to education and government positions, with most Hazaras being illiterate. The Hazara people have traditionally worked as farmers and shepherds, and they follow the Shia sect of Islam, while most Afghans follow Sunni Islam.

Historically, the Hazara people have been the target of ethnic cleansing, slavery, land grabbing, and other forms of persecution. In the 19th century, Pashtun King Abdur Rahman Khan led a genocidal campaign against the Hazara people, resulting in the massacre, enslavement, and displacement of more than half of the Hazara population. This campaign further solidified the Hazara people's position as the lowest in the social hierarchy.

Despite their growing political clout in recent years, many Hazara people continue to feel discriminated against. They have been systematically discriminated against by Pashtuns and others, and they face challenges such as forced migration, land grabbing, and violence. The Hazara people have actively campaigned against policies that discriminate against them and have formed their own political parties to exert influence over state policies.

The socioeconomic status in Afghanistan is highly correlated with ethnicity, and the Hazara people, being one of the poorest groups, have limited access to education, political power, and economic opportunities. They often work in unskilled labour and low-status jobs, and there is a low rate of intermarriage between Hazaras and members of other groups. The Hazara people have been marginalised and stigmatised, and they continue to face an uphill battle for equality and social mobility in Afghanistan.

The socioeconomic status in Afghanistan is highly correlated with ethnicity

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society. The population of the country consists of numerous ethnolinguistic groups, including Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek, as well as smaller groups such as Aimaq, Turkmen, Baloch, Pashai, Nuristani, Gujjar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Pamiri, Kyrgyz, Sadat, and Mongol, among others. These groups collectively form the Afghan people.

The country's socioeconomic disparities are reflected in income inequality, with most rich and educated individuals belonging to prestigious social classes like the Pashtuns, while a majority of poor Afghans are from lower social classes, such as the Hazaras and Gypsies. The peasantry, the disposed, and nomads form the least educated social stratum, often facing oppression and exploitation by the wealthy and powerful.

The religious divide between Sunni and Shia Muslims also contributes to the socioeconomic disparities. As the majority of Afghans follow the Sunni tradition, they tend to overpower the less influential Shia minority, who face repression and discrimination in their daily lives. This religious dynamic further exacerbates the socioeconomic inequalities within the country.

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society

The second-largest ethnic group is the Tajiks, who make up around 27% of the population and are native Persian speakers. They are involved in sheep or goat herding and sedentary mountain farming, and are identified by the region or valley they live in.

The third-largest ethnic group is the Hazaras, who reside in all parts of Afghanistan, mainly in the central Hazarajat region. They are believed to have roots in Mongolia and, as a result, have distinct physical features that set them apart from other Afghans. This has led to them facing discrimination and being deemed inferior by other groups. They follow the Shia sect of Islam and are often involved in farming and shepherding.

The Uzbeks are one of the main Turkic ethnic groups in Afghanistan, with their native territory in the northern regions of the country. They are predominantly Sunni Muslims and fluent in Southern Uzbek.

Other smaller ethnic groups in Afghanistan include the Aimaq, Turkmen, Baloch, Pashai, Nuristani, Gujjar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Pamiri, Kyrgyz, Sadat, and Mongol, among others. These groups have their own unique cultures, languages, and traditions, and together they make up the diverse fabric of Afghan society.

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