Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
LOD, perhaps you can elighten us on the Hindko speaking people
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
Hindku is an Indo-Aryan language. Hindku-speaking people are mixed with ethnic elements drawn from neighbouring communities e.g. Dards (Kohistanis, Pashais, Abbasis, etc.), Potoharis ( Awans, Jatts, Gujars, etc.) Pashtuns (Dalazaks, Swatis, Tarins, Jaduns, Mashwanis, Kakaizai, Youasfzais, Sardar Khel, etc.), and Qazalbash, Tajaks, etc. In Hazara, the ethnicity and culture seems to be combination of Kashmiris, Pashtuns, and Potoharis with Pashtun and Kashmiri influences pre-dominating in upper Hazara and Potohari in lower Hazara...
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
I've never heard the Batkhela point before..that is interesting: makes sense though, the pashtuns made a northward migration towards the swat valley quite late and forced many of the local tribes to migrate to hazara. Hence you have tribes or clans in Manshera called Swati (they are the descendants of the original inhabitants of swat).
Ethnicity and Mother tongues also have to do with the local society and its structue, segmentary or sedendary. Ethnic-linhuistic groups like hindko speakers and Punjabi speakers are less linked to ethnic origins compared to the pashtuns and Baloch for example..
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
ok i hope this doesnt de-rail your thread. WHen meeting new people, a typical question is "where are you from?"...as an american, what to answer?
I could say that I'm from America. I could say I'm from new york. I could also say that I'm from Northern Europe because thats where my ancestors came from generations ago - Holland, Scotland, England. So what is the proper answer to the question? Alot of foreigners thing you're being arrogant when you answer "I'm a new yorker", they think you're avoiding the question when you tell them about your descent. WHen you live in a melting pot, there really isnt an answer to the question, yeah?
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
There are such terms as ethnic Muslims, ethnic Asian with interpretation depending on the political and socio-cultural environment in which it is applied. "Ethnic Punjabi" is a valid term to use insofar it sets a Punjabi apart from a Sindhi or another cultural group in Pakistani context (for example). However, in the context of Punjab, it will mean being a Jatt, a Gujjar etc.
mamof3, in a diverse environment it will refer to distinct physical traits i.e. wether you are white, or Black, or Mongoloid, or Red Indian.
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
Thanks for the info LOD
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
mm3..the US is a second generation empire..these are classically supported by multi ethnic groups which identify themselves because of multiple factors ranging from a belief in manifest destiny to language and a belief in certain symbols..so realistically you could be from anywhere but your overriding sense of belonging would be American.
Re: Origin of Your Ethnicity and Mother-tongue
I hail from a small ethnic group (Halai Memon) from India which is fast loosing its identity. I know a lot about my own community but I'll certainly appreciate if you can throw more light on this group.