Background

The Pashtun are united primarily by a common language, Pashto. Other commonalities

include Sunni Islam and a common social code (Pashtunwali) that governs both ethical behavior
and custom.
According to 2010 data from the US Department of State, the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan
is the Pashtun (including Kuchis), comprising 42% of Afghans. The Tajiks are the second largest
ethnic group, at 27% of the population, followed by the Hazaras (9%), Uzbeks (9%), Aimaq
(4%), Turkmen (3%), Baluch (2%) and other groups that make up 4%. 
There were estimated to be about 11 million Pashtun in Afghanistan and 25 million
in Pakistan in the early 21st century. They comprise about 60 tribes of varying sizes and
importance, each of which occupies a particular territory. In Afghanistan, where the Pashtun are
the predominant ethnic group, the main tribes—or, more accurately, federations of tribes—are
the Durrānī south of Kabul and the Ghilzay east of Kabul.

In Pakistan, the Pashtun predominate north of Quetta between the Sulaiman Range and the Indus
River. In the hill areas the main tribes are, from south to north, the Kākaṛ, Shērāni, and Ustarāna
south of the Gumal River; the Maḥsūd, Darwēsh Khēl, Wazīrī, and Biṭanī between the Gumal
River and Thal; the Tūrī, Bangash, Ōrakzay, Afrīdī, and Shinwārī from Thal to the Khyber Pass;
and the Mahmand, Utmān Khēl, Tarklānī, and Yūsufzay north and northeast of the Khyber Pass.

The settled areas include lowland tribes subject to direct administration by the provincial
government. The main tribes there are, from south to north, the Banūchī and Khaṭak, from the
Kurram River to Nowshera, and the Khalīl and Mandāṇ in the Vale of Peshawar. The cities
of Kandahār, Jalālābād, and Lashkar Gāh in Afghanistan and Peshawar and Quetta in Pakistan
are important centers of Pashtun culture.

Ethnic Identity

Ahmadzai (Suleman Khel): Not to be confused with Waziri Ahmadzais, these Ahmadzai

are Ghilzais, a subset of the massive Sulieman Khel. Traditionally they controlled the Altimur
Pass leading into Southern Paktia, and ranged from Logar to Jalalabad.1 Traditionally a large
portion of the tribe was Kuchi and nomadic. As such, they were often regarded as martial in
nature. They are greatest in number in Paktia, Paktika, and Khost.

Andar: A Ghilzai sub-tribe, the Andar had been known for their skill and usage of
large karez (underground irrigation systems). More concentrated in Ghazni Province, they have
also a significant presence in Paktia. During the 19th century they joined in the Ghilzai revolt
and many were summarily sent into internal exile. Somewhat inexplicably, they allied
themselves for a time with the Harakat-i Islami, originally a Shi’ite faction, during the anti-
Soviet campaign.

Chamkani: The Chamkani tribe is a small group living in the Chamkani District in northern
Paktia. They also belong to the Ghilzai supertribe, and are further divided into the Mada Khel,
the Kamzai, the Babu Khel, the Darman Khel, the Sulaiman Khel (not to be confused with the
Sulaiman Khel superclan) the Baghiar, and the Hisarak.

Ghilzai: Descended from the third son of Qais, the father of all Pashtuns, the Ghilzai (or
Ghalji) trace their lineage through the grand-daughter of Qais. The grand-daughter had the child
Ghalzoe out of wed-lock, a point of shame. The Ghilzais believe they have made up for this
through their marital traditions. One branch of the Ghilzais, the Hotaki, has given rise to Mullah
Omar and much of the Taliban leadership. The Ghilzai themselves have been traditional
adversaries of the Duranni, President Karzai’s tribe. There is a traditional Afghan saying:
“Badshahi da Duranni; tura da Ghalji”, which translates as “Kingship for the Duranni, but sword
for the Ghilzai.” The largest Pashtun grouping, they suffered much during the Soviet invasion,
and must be included in any effort to secure and develop Ghazni Province. There are a multitude
of sub-tribes and clans within the Ghilzai confederation.

Gujjar: So very little about the Gujjars is known that the mere mention of them sends one
scrambling for dust-covered manuscripts of the British Raj. It is thought they were initially
encountered by Alexander during his thrust into India, although this and every theory about the
Gujjars remains in dispute. They speak a tongue wholly unrelated to any Indo-European
language, although many have by now learned local languages for commercial purposes. They
roam with their herds, usually of cows, from the high Himalayas in India to the Hindu Kush of
Afghanistan (although rarely are they seen in Afghanistan anymore, as Pakistan has hindered
their passage through its territory and most preferred to stay within India). Some in India remain
Hindu, although further west many are Muslim. Often they can be recognized by their avoidance
of others, and their brightly hennaed beards. They are proud, fierce, and loyal. Their traditions
are millennia old, and they have preserved them well in the face of great adversity.4 They are
somewhat related to Nuristanis, although exactly how is a subject of conjecture. Similar to
Nuristanis, some genetic root gives many Gujjars a distinctly European appearance, up to and
including blond hair and blue eyes.

Hazara: The Hazara, a distinct ethnic and religious group within the population of Afghanistan,
have often been the target of discriminatory and violent repression.  Most likely descended from
the Mongols of Genghis Khan, (there is also a strong argument that they are of Eastern Turkic
origin), the Hazara are noticeably different in physical appearance when compared to the Pashtun
majority.  In terms of religion, the vast majority of the Hazara are of the Shia Muslim faith, again
in contrast to the Pashtuns who are Sunni Muslim.  Due to these differences, “the Hazara have
experienced discrimination at the hands of the Pashtun-dominated government throughout the
history of modern Afghanistan."5 As the traditional underclass of Afghan society, Hazara were
exploited and made to work as servants and laborers.  As a result, there tends to be an anti-
government and anti-Pashtun bias among the Hazara.  In present day Afghanistan, the Hazara are
divided geographically into two main groups: The Hazarajat Hazara and those who live outside
the Hazarajat.  The Hazarajat is located in the Hindu Kush Mountains in central Afghanistan and
is “centered around Bamiyan province and include[s] areas of Ghowr, Uruzgan, Wardak, and
Ghazni province." The Hazara living outside of the Hazarajat live in and around Kabul, Herat,
Mazar-e-Sharif and Samangan province.  Due to atrocities committed against them by the
Taliban, the Hazara by and large are opposed to the Taliban.  In August 1998, the Taliban
massacred approximately 4,000 Hazara in Mazara-e-Sharif; this massacre was followed by
another the next month when the Taliban killed another 500 Hazara in Bamiyan.  The Hezb-e
Wahdat (Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan) is an umbrella political organization which
commands the support of large numbers of Hazara.  The Hazara are also often at odds with the
Kuchi population within the Hazarajat.

Hindus and Sikhs: Hindus and Sikhs have traditionally been prominent among
Afghanistan’s mercantile community. Many Sikhs are known for their craftsmanship, and many
Hindus for their moneylending. Sikhs especially, due to the Maharaj of Ranjit Singh in the
Punjab (1812-1842), captured Peshawar and became intimately acquainted with Pashtun (or
Pathan, in Hindi) culture. Traditional greeting for the Hindu is “Namaste” or “Namaskar.”
Traditional greeting for the Sikh is “Sat Sri Akal.” For both, thanks is “Dandiyavad.” Very much
is “Bahut bahut,” and the honorific is “Ji,” so that thank you very much is “Bahut bahut
dandiyavad ji.” Both avoid beef, and Sikhs will also avoid pork. One should never smoke near a
Sikh, as it is considered unsociable. According to their religion, Sikhs must at all times have a
knife (kirpan) upon their person. Although persecuted under the Taliban and forced to wear
identifying badges, Sikhs and Hindus have returned to Afghanistan in significant numbers. Some
Hindu and Sikh families have been in Afghanistan for generations.

Jaji (Zazi): Related to the Turis but Sunni in faith, the Jaji are divided into eight wands:
Lehwani, Ada Khel, Petla (combined with the Allisemgeh), Husain Khel, Karaia Ahmad Khel,
Ahmad Khel (combined with the Bayan Khel), Ali Khel, and the Jamu Khel. Hill men, they are
famous for their dances and their war-cries. In more recent times, they have supported the likes
of Abdul Sayyaf.

Kabuli: A term which refers to the heterogeneous urban population of the city of Kabul.  In
general, the term is ethnic-neutral, due the to multi-ethnic nature of the capital and the result of
generations of intermarriages.  According to Peter R. Blood, “A typical Kabuli speaks Dari in
addition to his mother tongue and, whether male or female, is urbane, favors European fashions,
is secularly educated, and most probably works as a bureaucrat, shopkeeper/owner or in the
service sector.  Many have had professional education or experience abroad…are Western-
oriented in outlook and enjoy cosmopolitan lifestyles.”  Many Kabulis left the capital during the
past three decades of war.

Kharoti: The Kharoti clan are the second largest Ghilzai Pashtun tribal group. Generally, they
do not cooperate with anti-coalition militias or participate in their activities. Their political stance
and support for the government is in part, at least, due to their rivalry with the Suleimankhel and
the Waziris.  Notable members of the Kharoti clan include Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Harakat,
both of Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HIG).  Overall, however, the Kharoti are not supportive of
HIG. Former Paktika provincial governor, Ghulab Mangal, considered the Kharoti among the
most reliable of Ghilzai tribal groups.9

Khogiani: Traditionally they have feuded with Shinwari and Ghilzai, and strenuously opposed
the British.  They are classified as Karlanri and Hill Tribe Pashtuns.

Khostwal: The Khostwal consider themselves Pashtun. Primarily found in Khost, the

Khostwals occupy a small portion of the Jani Khel District along the Pakistani border. Known as
fierce fighters, they had traditionally been at odds with the Waziri tribes to the south, except
when they united to raid the Turi (traditionally Shi’ites) to the north. They have traditionally
divided themselves into Tor Gundi and Spin Gundi factions.11

Kuchi: Kuchis are nomads. Kuchis are most often Pashtuns, but occasionally may be some
non-Pashtun ethnicity, such as Baluch. To be a Kuchi is not who one is, or what one does, but
what one is. More than a vocation and less than a race, the Kuchi are more appropriately thought
of as a caste of nomadic herdsmen. Their four main animals are sheep, goats, camels and
donkeys. They cross boundaries with ease. They have a very high illiteracy rate.12 Involved in a
constant and centuries old range war with the Hazara, the Kuchis have moved across
Afghanistan and Pakistan for generations. Dispersed and well-traveled, they often receive news
from distant relations in far-away provinces relatively quickly. The self-declared “leader” of the
Kuchis is one Hashmat Ghani Ahmadzai. Partially settled by the king and the following socialist
governments, they were strong supporters of the Taliban, both ideologically and pragmatically,
as they came into possession of many Hazara lands thanks to the repression of the Shi’ite Hazara
by the Taliban. There are estimated to be around three million Kuchi in Afghanistan, with at least
60% remaining fully nomadic, and over 100,000 have been displaced in the South of
Afghanistan due to drought in the past few years. 
Mamund: Classified as Eastern or Sarbani Pashtun.

Mahsood: The Mahsood Tribe, of Pashtun origin, is the second largest tribe in South
Waziristan (Wazir being first). The Mahsood (also known as Makhsood) have a traditional dance
called the Mahsood Wal Atanrh, originally used as a preparation for war. The dance is conducted
with loaded guns in hand, and a beat is created with percussion drums.  Shots are fired into the
air to coordinate with the beat.14 The Gomal Highway in South Waziristan has “long been a bone
of contention between the Mahsood and Wazir tribes."

Mangal: A Pashtun Karlanri clan that can be further divided into Miran Khel, Khajuri, Gabar,
Marghai, and Kamal Khel subdivisions. They are known for their independent nature and have a
history of resisting British forces, central and provincial governments, Soviet forces, and Taliban
forces. The latter has left them with a healthy memory of the Taliban and left a strong animosity
between the two.

Muqbil: Cousins of the Zadrans and Mangals, they now reside in Sayid Karam District in
Paktia. They can be further divided into five clans: Musa Khel, Sultak, Ahmad Khel, Hasan
Khel, and the Bobaki. Little else is known.17

Nuristani Tribes: The Nuristani in Afghanistan primarily live in high elevations in northeast

Afghanistan.  They trace their genealogy back to either the Greek forces of Alexander the great
or to the tribes of Mecca which rejected Islam.  For centuries the Nuristanis were known as
“kafirs,” or infidels (this is still a pejorative term for them).  This has changed as most converted
to Islam at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.  There are fifteen Nuristani
tribes with numerous sub-groups.  Five languages and numerous dialects are spoken by the
Nuristani.  They do not have overly positive relations with other Afghans or Pakistanis and a
strong animosity toward Arabs. Two of the largest tribes, the Kamozi (or Kam) and the Kushtaz,
have had a series of conflicts since the fall of the Taliban. Additionally, for over two decades
foreign-funded Wahhabi preachers have been working to convert the tribes to their more hard-
line interpretation of Islam. Nuristanis, however, remain protective of their distinctive culture.
The tribes speak Dardic languages, often mutually unintelligible. Due to what many Nuristanis
claim is Greek blood left over from the mighty armies of Alexander, many Nuristanis have
distinctly European features, blue and green eyes, and blond or red hair. Since being conquered
by the “Iron Amir” (Abdul Rahman Khan) in 1893, there has been some intermingling with
Pashtuns, forced or otherwise. Nuristanis comprise a minority in parts of Kunar. The Kom group
of Nuristanis extend down into the Kunar Valley.
 

Kata (Western): Occupy the majority of Daulatshai and Alishing districts.  Also reside in
parts of Alingar, Mehterlam and Qarghayi districts.  The Kata are a Nuristani tribe which speaks
two dialects of Kamakata viri.

Ashtu (Ashku): Also a Nuristani tribe, which with the Kata, live in the districts of Daulatshai
and Alishing. 

Pashai: There is very little useful data on the Pashai, outside of some intense research on their
language.  They inhabit Nuristan, parts of Laghman, and northern Nangarhar, seemingly between
the Pashtun and Nuristanis.  Many consider themselves Pashtun.  They speak a Dardic language
referred to as Pashai.  Often they are associated with or referred to as Kohistani.  The majority of
Pashai in Laghman rely on the livestock and timber business.19

Pashtun: The largest single ethnicity of Afghanistan, the Pashtun, and in particular the largest
tribe of the Pashtuns, the Ghilzai, formed the backbone of the Taliban movement. Traditionally
beholden to the moral code of Pashtunwali (“the way of the Pashtun”), they can easily be deeply
offended by breaches of the code and carry the grudge for generations. The Pashtuns are fiercely
independent and often view themselves, as the largest ethnicity in the country, as the rightful
leaders of Afghanistan. That being said, they suffered much during the Soviet invasion, and must
be included in any effort to secure and develop the country. Many of the Pashtuns in Bamyan are
Kuchis, nomads who have traditionally been accused of poaching Hazara land, especially during
the Taliban era.

Qizilbash: The Qizilbash are an Imami Shia group thought to be descended from Persian
“mercenaries and administrators left behind by the Safavid Emperor Nadir Shah Afshar to
govern the Afghan provinces."20 After the demise of the Safavid Empire in Afghanistan, the
Qizilbash, due to their higher levels of education and experience as administrators, remained
influential in the Afghan court and government bureaucracies.  Their Shia faith combined with
their disproportionate political influence often resulted in resentment by large portions of the
Sunni majority within Afghanistan. Also, they were used by the shahs as personal bodyguards
and assigned to put down uprisings among the populace, which further alienated them from the
Pashtun majority.  Due to the persecution, religious and political, the Qizilbash frequently
resorted to the use of taqiyya, the practice of precautionary dissimulation or the adoption of a
dual religious identity.  In order to play a role in government and society, the Qizilbash, like
other Imami Shia, publicly portrayed themselves as Sunnis or Pashtuns while they privately
maintained their Shia faith.  In present day Afghanistan, the Qizilbash continue to
practice taqiyya making it difficult to gain accurate census data.  It appears that they largely
reside in urban centers and “tend to be predominantly urban professionals—doctors, teachers,
engineers, and lawyers."

Safi (Safay): Kunar Safis are the largest and most powerful of the province’s Pashtun tribes
and live primarily in the Pech Valley region.  The Safis historically have been one of the most
dissident tribes in Afghanistan, with a major uprising against the central government in 1945-
1946.  The tribe is divided into three clans, the Gorbuz, the Massoud and the Wadir.  The three
clans were divided politically during the communist era.  In large part the Wadir Safis were
aligned with the communists and served in the government.  Many Safis mujahedin leaders came
from the Gorbuz clan.  The Massoud clan, however, was split between both sides.

Sayyid (Sadat): Claiming descent from the family of the Prophet (PBUH), the Sayyids hold a
revered place in Afghanistan. The majority, centered in Balkh and Kunduz in the North and
Nangarhar in the East, are Sunni Muslims, but interestingly there are some in Bamiyan Province
and elsewhere that adhere to Shi’a Islam. These are often referred to as Sadat, a word that
traditionally “in the northern Hejaz area and in British India [was] applied indifferently to the
posterity of Hasan and Hussein [the first Shi’ite martyrs], sons of Ali and Grandsons of
Mohammad."

Shinwari: Paktu speakers. History of opposing the British and the central government in
Kabul.  A major thorn in the side of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan during the 1880s.  They are
classified as Eastern, Sarbani Pashtuns. Their tribal brethren are found much further south, in the
Baluchistan area. They are very esteemed, proper Afghans. Historically they have formed
alliances with the Mohmand, Safi and Afridi tribes and feuded with the Khogiani. The Shinwaris
can also be found in the Khyber Agency in Pakistan.

Suleimankhel (Sulimankhel): One of the largest Ghilzai subtribes. According to Ghulab

Mangal, former governor of Paktika Province, the Suleimankhel provide the majority of recruits
for the Taliban in the province.  As a result, the level of Anti-Coalition Militia activities remains
high in areas dominated by Suleimankhel. The bias of some sub-tribes toward the Taliban in part
may be explained by their proximity to the Pakistan border and the influx of insurgents and the
radical politics.  They have been allied with the Hotaki in the past, and their traditional rivals
include the Karoti. Principal sub-divisions of the Suleimankhel include the Alizai, Sulemanzai,
and Jalalzai.  Other sub-divisions include the Alikhel, the Nizamkhel, and the Shakhel. It is
interesting to note that the Alikhel sub-tribe, which primarily lives in the northwest of Paktika,
has been more cooperative with the central government and coalition forces.  The Nizamkhel and
Shakhel also remain more supportive of the government, which may be explained in part by their
rivalry with the Jalalzai.

Tajik: Occupy same areas, generally, as the Ghilzai Pashtun. Tajiks are the second largest
ethnic group in Afghanistan after the Pashtuns and comprise between 25-30% of the population.
The Tajiks in Afghanistan tend to live in settled communities as opposed to a nomadic lifestyle.
Pashtuns refer to them as Farsiwan, or speakers of Farsi, the lingua franca of Afghanistan (50%
of Afghanistan speaks Farsi, as opposed to only 35% for Pashtu). Between the Tajiks and
Pashtuns there has been significant animosity in recent years. Forming the backbone of the
Northern Alliance, they also have a base in the nation of Tajikistan. They held out fiercely
against the Taliban. Most Tajik are Sunni Muslims, but a few are Shi’a. Tajiks made up the
majority of the Northern Alliance, both in terms of membership and leadership. Tribal ties have
largely broken down among the Tajiks; therefore, social organization is defined primarily by
geography. Despite their lack of cohesiveness, the Tajiks are often brought together due to the
perceived common threat posed by the Pashtuns.

Tatar: The first Central Asian Muslims to come under the Russian yoke, Tatars still retain their
own republic within the Russian Federation. During the colonial era they were often used as
spies and guides for Russian and later Soviet efforts, and are renowned for their commercial
prowess. In Afghanistan, many of the Tatars settled after either trying to escape the Russians, or
as traders. In Bamiyan, they are primarily found in Sheber District.

Utmanzai: The Utmanzais represent the smaller, northern branch of the Waziri tribe, the larger
faction being the Ahmadzai Waziris. Primarily located within the Pakistani Tribal Agency of
North Waziristan across the Durand Line, the Utmanzai are known for their independent spirit,
proficiency at smuggling, and the difficulty of their native terrain. Falling under the great
Karlanri supertribe, they are hill people.

Wardak Pashtun: Some leaders of the Wardak Pashtun were notorious for their opposition
to the British in 1879-1880.  The Wardak tribe is subdivided in the Mayar, Mirkehl (which may
be the same as the Amir Khel), and the Nuri. There is some disagreement whether the Wardaks
are Karlanri or Ghilzai Pashtun.  Most evidence suggests they are Karlanri.  Currently, several
Wardak Pashtuns hold important posts in the central government, including the Ministry of
Defense (General Abdur Rahim Wardak), the Ministry of Information, Culture and Youth
(Abdul Karim Khoram), and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.  It is also important to note
that “several Islamic radicals emerged from Wardak who helped to promote and implement
Taliban’s conservative interpretation of Islam."
 

Waziri: Pashtun tribe, primarily located in Pakistan.  The Waziris in Paktika, Khost, and Paktia
live across from the Waziris on the Pakistan side of the border.  According to the State
Department PRT Political Officer, the Waziris are “divided and extremely fractious [and] play
both sides of the fence.”  It is assumed that the Waziris supply a significant number of recruits to
anti-coalition militias. In Pakistan, North and South Waziristan have been the scenes of very
fierce fighting between the Pakistani army and tribal elements, resulting in late 2006 in a brief
peace between the two, generally seen as a climb-down by the Pakistani government. The
Ahmadzai Waziris live in the South Waziristan Tribal Agency in Pakistan abutting Paktika, and
the less numerous Utmanzai Waziris live in the North Waziristan Tribal Agency bordering
Paktika and Khost.

Zadran: Pashtun tribe which resides in Paktika, Paktia, and Khost.  Pacha Khan Zadran is a
one of the most famous of the Zadran tribe.  He was appointed governor of Paktia in 2001, but
never assumed the post after other tribes blocked his progress to Gardez. Jalaluddin Haqqani,
another ACM leader (the Haqqani Network), is another influential member of the Zadran tribe.