Re: Pathan guppies
You have a point but they don’t usually change their tribe name which makes it easy to discern them from other Pashtuns. Change in racial makeup of nations is inevitable anyway though, just like Swatis, Mushwanis and countless other tribes have assimilated into Pashtun society but are not originally Pashtun. Or if we go by the patrilineal lineage rule even the Ghilzai (Khilji) tribe would originally be Turkish (:D).
In my opinion it’s the language, customs and descent combined together which define an ethnic group. Of course the Pashto speakers of non-Pashtun descent will say it’s only the language which matters, Hindkowan who follow Pashtunwali (e.g. Tanoli tribe) will say it’s only the customs which matter whilst Afrdi’s and Yusufzai’s from northern India and some of my people from Attock will tell you if ones father was a Pashtun they’re a Pashtun and everything else is irrelevant but I think it’s all three language, customs and paternal descent which make up an ethnic group.
No I’m about as Afghan/Pashtun as a husky is a wolf. I’m Hindkowan of Afghan/Pashtun descent.
I’ve played Buz-Kashi in Pak though, does that count? Been horse riding from a young age here in England but didn’t do me any favours, I was an embarrassment compared to my uncles. 