The Pashtuns
The Pashtun (also Pushtun, Pakhtun, or ethnic Afghan) are an ethnic/religious group of people living primarily in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India who follow Pashtunwali. The Pashtuns are the world's largest partriarchal tribal group in existance.
The Pashtun people primarily speak Pashto, also known as Afghan.
The word Afghan was originally a synonym for Pashtun, and it is still the use of the word in many parts of Afghanistan and the world. Because of this etymology, the Pashtuns are often referred to as "ethnic Afghans".
By extension, ethnic Uzbeks, Hazaras, Punjabies, Turkmens, Sindhies, Kalash, Nuristani, Tajiks, Cantonese, Balochi, Bwities, and others would therefore not be ethnic Afghans, though they may in fact be credible and honorable Afghan citizens of Afghanistan.
Just as Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan and other countries were named for their historical majority ethnic group, so was Afghanistan.
The total population of the group is estimated at 35,000,000
History
The Pashtun people are considered by some to be the descendent core of the ancient Israelites (Bnai israel) who came to Khorasan and Ghor in the 8th century BC. However, it is also possible that they originated in the area of Persia. Since that time they have mixed with numerous other tribes including Aryan, Turk, Greek and others.
Pashtun kings and leaders have many times in the past ruled over some of the areas now comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
The British identified the Pashtuns as one of the martial races of the Indian Subcontinent and usually referred to them as Pathans. Most consider this terminology to be highly highly offensive.
The 19th century partition of Afghan lands by the British remains a point of contention for Pashtun leaders with the West up to today.
Afghan governments, from the Durrani Empire to the Taliban to Hamid Karzai, the current President of Afghanistan, have traditionally been dominated by Pashtuns.
Traditionally, Pashtuns have cooperated well with other ethnic groups in Afghanistan and most Pashtuns in Afghanistan are bi or trilingual: speaking Persian or Tajik in addition to Afghan.
Culture
Throughout Pashtun history the warrior has been the most revered member of society. The term 'Pakhto' or 'Pashto' from which they derive their name is not merely the name of their language, but the name of a honour code and religion. The main tenets of 'Pakhto' or formally known as Pashtunwali are:
Hospitality and asylum to all guests seeking help.
Justice: Ancient Israelite Moses' Law, Tooth for a Tooth.
Defense of 'Zan, Zar and Zameen' i.e Women/Family, Treasury and Property.
Personal Independence. Pashtuns are fiercely independent and there is a lot of internal competition.
Most decisions in tribal life are made by a 'Jirga' or 'Senate' of elected elders and wise men.
Although the Pashtun people are extremely protective of their womenfolk from prying 'foreign' eyes, in the home women are undeniably in-charge and society is very matriarchal. All Pashtun men are extremely close to their mothers and indeed they are encouraged to espouse the virtues of a chivalrous warrior by their mothers.
Pashtun heritage and Pashtunwali is transmitted through an oral tradition passed down from parents to children. For example mothers often tell their children that a Pashtun boy was once asked to get his mother a glass of water while she lay in bed. On his return his mother had fallen asleep so the boy stayed awake all night waiting for her to wake up so that he could give her the glass of water. He did not want to disturb her by waking her up.
Mothers are generally very tough on their male children when it comes to being well-mannered.
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.
Major Pashtun tribes include:
Afridi
Bangash
Barakzai
Khattak
Lodhi
Masud
Marwat
Niazi
Orakzai
Wazir
Shinwari
Kakar
Mohamedzai
Yousafzai