Pashtun

The Pashtuns (also Pushtun, Pakhtun, ethnic Afghan, or Pathan) are an ethno-linguistic group of eastern Iranian stock, living primarily in eastern and southern Afghanistan, the NWFP Province and Baluchistan with large colonies found in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan. There are smaller communities in Iran and India, and a large migrant worker community in the countries of the Arabian peninsula. The Pashtuns are typically characterized by their language, Muslim religion, and their pre-Islamic indigenous code of honor and culture, Pashtunwali. The Pashtuns are the world's largest segmentary lineage (patriarchal) tribal group in existence. The total population of the group is estimated to be about 40 million, but may be much higher as accurate census counts often prove difficult given the migratory nature of many Pashtun tribes as well as the practice of secluding women.

Institutions

The Pashtuns are predominantly a tribal people, however, increasing numbers now dwell in cities and urban settlements. Many still identify themselves with various clans.

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More precisely, there are several levels of organization: the tabar (tribe) is subdivided into kinship groups each of which is a khel. The khel in turn is divided into smaller groups (pllarina or plarganey), each of which consists of several extended families or kahols. "A large tribe often has dozens of sub-tribes whose members may see themselves as belonging to each, some, or all of the sub-tribes in different social situations (co-operative, competitive, confrontational) and identify with each accordingly."

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Some defined Pashtun tribes include:

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• Ahmadzai
• Afridi
• Alekozai
• Awan
• Baburi
• Bangash
• Bhittani
• Barakzai
• Daulatzai
• Dilazak
• Durrani
• Edo-Khel
• Gandapur
• Ghilzai/Ghalji
• Jadoon
• Kakar
• Kakazai
• Kuchi
• Kundi
• Kharoti
• Khattak
• Lodhi
• Mangal
• Mashwanis
• Marwat
• Mohamedzai
• Mohmand/Moomand
• Niazi
• Noorzai
• Orakzai
• Popalzay
• Swati
• Shilmani
• Shinwari
• Shirani
• Shatak
• Suleimonkhel
• Suri
• Tanoli
• Taraki
• Tareens
• Totakhel
• Umarzai
• Wardak
• Waziri
• Yousafzai/Esapzey
• Zadran
• Zazi (Dzadzi)

Pashtun tribes are divided into four tribal groups: Sarbans, Batans, Ghurghusht and Karans.

Related Topics:
Sarbans - Batans - Ghurghusht - Karans

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