The Ethnic Diversity Of Afghanistan's People

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. The term Afghan is synonymous with the ethnonym Pashtun, but in modern times, it has become the national identity of the people of Afghanistan.

The country's ethnic groups share a Y-chromosomal heritage structured by historical events, and their genetic diversity is influenced by continuous migrations and movements through Central Asia. While the ethnic groups in Afghanistan have distinct genetic differences, they also share cultural similarities and overlap. For example, Nauruz is a New Year festival celebrated by various ethnic groups in the country.

Pashtuns are the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan, making up about 38% to 50% of the population

Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, making up an estimated 38% to 50% of the population. They are a nomadic, pastoral, Eastern Iranic ethnic group, and their name is derived from the word "Pakthās", a tribe mentioned in the Rigveda, a text of Vedic Sanskrit hymns dated between c. 1500 and 1200 BCE. They speak Pashto, an Eastern Iranian language, and are predominantly Sunni Muslims.

Pashtuns are spread across a wide geographic area in Afghanistan and can be found in almost every province. They are the dominant group in southern and eastern Afghanistan and also have a notable presence in major cities like Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar.

The Pashtun population in Afghanistan is estimated to be around 18 million, but the lack of an official census since 1979 makes it difficult to determine exact numbers. They are united by their common language, Pashto, and their adherence to Pashtunwali, a tribal code of honour and local interpretations of Sharia law.

Pashtun society is structured around tribes, with each tribe consisting of kinsmen tracing descent through the male bloodline from a common ancestor. This tribal structure governs property rights, inheritance, and the use of tribal lands. Disputes within and between tribes are often settled through the tribal council, or jirga, which also enforces seclusion of women from affairs outside the home.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary sources of income for most Pashtuns, though some are involved in trade or work in the military. The difficult living conditions and lack of access to healthcare contribute to a short life expectancy of around 46 years.

Despite their dominant position, Pashtuns have never formed a homogeneous group and have often been divided by power struggles and infighting. Their political influence has also waxed and waned over time, with the Taliban's rise to power in the 1990s marking a period of Pashtun dominance in the country.

Pashtuns have a rich cultural heritage that includes traditional music, dancing, poetry, and storytelling. They are known for their hospitality and courage, and their society values self-respect, independence, justice, and tolerance.

The Tajik ethnic group makes up the second-largest proportion of the population, at around 25%

The Tajik ethnic group makes up the second-largest proportion of the population of Afghanistan, at around 25%. The exact figures vary, with some sources placing the proportion of the population who are Tajik at 27%, and others at 25.3%. They are a native Persian-speaking Iranian ethnic group, and are the largest ethnic group in neighbouring Tajikistan.

The term 'Tajik' was originally used as a label for Eastern Persians or Iranians, and was considered somewhat pejorative. However, it has become more acceptable in recent decades, particularly due to Soviet administration in Central Asia. Alternative names for the Tajiks include 'Fārsī' (Persian), 'Fārsīwān' (Persian-speaker), and 'Dīhgān' (farmer or settled villager).

The Tajiks are the descendants of ancient Eastern Iranian inhabitants of Central Asia, particularly the Sogdians and Bactrians. They are believed to also be descended from other groups, with an admixture of Western Iranian Persians and non-Iranian peoples. According to historian Richard Nelson Frye, the Persian migration to Central Asia may be considered the beginning of the modern Tajik nation, and ethnic Persians, along with Bactrians and Sogdians, are the main ancestors of modern Tajiks.

The Tajiks are a traditionally sedentary people, and their culture has been significantly influenced by Central Asian sedentary culture. They are mainly found in urban areas, particularly in and around Kabul, and in the mountainous Badakhshan region in the northeast of Afghanistan. They are also found in northern, western, and other areas throughout the state.

The Tajik people have no specific social structure, and loyalty patterns evolve around the village and family. They have adopted the social and cultural patterns of their neighbours in the regions where they live. Most Tajiks are Sunni Muslims, with a minority of Twelver Imami Shi'a in the west, around the city of Herat.

Tajiks make up the bulk of Afghanistan's elite, with considerable accumulated wealth within the community. They are highly educated and wield significant political influence within the country. They are closely linked to Afghanistan's Durani dynasty, which has provided many Tajiks with opportunities to accumulate wealth and access modern education.

Tajiks have only ruled Afghanistan for two brief periods: in 1929, when Habibullah Kalakani ruled for nine months, and in 1992, when Burhanuddin Rabbani became President. However, they have increasingly mobilised themselves politically, and many are associated with the Jamiat-e Islami party.

The Hazara are one of the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan, with a population of around 1 million

The Hazara are believed to have settled in Afghanistan at least as far back as the 13th century. They were once the largest Afghan ethnic group, constituting nearly two-thirds of the total population of the country before the 19th century. However, more than half of the Hazara population was massacred by the Emirate of Afghanistan between 1888 and 1893, and their persecution has occurred various times across the decades.

The Hazara are predominantly Shia Muslims, with significant Sunni and small Ismaili minorities. They are known for their distinctive music and literary traditions, with a rich oral history, poetry and music. Their poetry and music are mainly folkloric, having been passed down orally through the generations.

The Hazara have faced significant marginalisation, persecution, and displacement, perhaps most zealously by the Taliban in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. They have been the target of waves of violence by extremist groups, including the Taliban and the Islamic State. As a result, many Hazara have fled their communities and settled in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and the UK.

The Hazara are believed to number in the millions, but the exact figure is unknown. They are dispersed throughout Afghanistan and can be found in significant communities in Iran and Baluchistan (Pakistan). In Afghanistan, the Hazara reside in all parts of the country, mainly in the Hazarajat region in central Afghanistan.

The Uzbeks are a Turkic ethnic group in Afghanistan, with a population of around 1.3 million

Uzbeks are thought to have emerged in Central Asia in the third century BCE, and some claim they are possible descendants of Genghis Khan. They indicate Turkic ancestry and are, in the vast majority, Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi tradition, which reflects a primarily cultural rather than religious identity. Their language, Uzbek, is closely related to the Uyghur dialect spoken by the Muslim minority in Xinjiang, China.

Uzbeks occupy the greatest share of arable land in northern Afghanistan and are mostly farmers by occupation, growing grain and vegetables. They also produce crafts and animal by-products that bring considerable supplementary income. In addition, they are known for making carpets, which is considered women's work.

Uzbeks have had an influence on Afghan culture, mainly through sports and music. Buzkashi, a violent game played on horseback with a headless goat carcass, was introduced by Uzbeks and Mongols and is now synonymous with Afghanistan as its national sport. They are also known for their exquisite rugs, an area of significant contribution to Afghanistan's textile heritage.

Uzbeks are represented primarily by the National Islamic Movement (aka Jumbesh-e-Milli Islami), headed by General Abdul Rashid Dostum. Uzbeks have regularly engaged in small-scale protest activities, with grievances centring on greater political participation in the central government and greater control over Uzbek-majority areas.

The Nuristani are a small ethnic group in Afghanistan, with a population of several hundred thousand

The Nuristani are a small ethnic group native to the Nuristan province of northeastern Afghanistan and the Chitral district of northwestern Pakistan. They are believed to have originated from the soldiers of Alexander the Great's army or the tribes of Mecca that rejected Islam. The Nuristani people are believed to have a population of several hundred thousand, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 750,000.

The Nuristan province, located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, is home to the majority of the Nuristani people. The province has a population of about 140,000 people, with its capital in Parun. The region's climate and geography are ideal for irrigated agriculture, but the mountainous terrain limits large-scale farming. As a result, the Nuristani people have traditionally relied on animal husbandry and subsistence agriculture, with wheat, corn, and dairy products forming the basis of their diet.

The Nuristani people have a unique culture and language that sets them apart from other ethnic groups in Afghanistan. They are organised into clans and villages, with the village serving as the basic socio-political unit. Men play a crucial role in village leadership and conflict mediation, while women are responsible for agricultural chores and grain production. The Nuristani people are known for their hospitality and social rituals, often involving sitting around a fire and conversing with guests.

Historically, the Nuristani people lived in an autonomous state known as Kafiristan, resisting conversion to Islam for centuries. In the mid-1890s, Emir Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan conducted a military campaign in Kafiristan, forcibly converting the Nuristani people to Islam. The region was then renamed Nuristan, meaning "Land of Light". Despite their conversion, the Nuristani people continue to practise some of their ancient customs and beliefs, including elements of their pre-Islamic religion.

Today, the Nuristani people remain relatively isolated, with limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The region's rugged terrain and lack of roads pose significant challenges, hindering development and outside influence. Despite these difficulties, the Nuristani people have preserved their distinct culture and way of life, maintaining their independence and strong sense of community.

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