Peoples and Ethnic Groups – Summary

Some major points to recall from this lesson on the people and tribes of Afghanistan are:

• The population of Afghanistan consists of a mosaic of ethnic groups including:
  • Pashtun (42%)
  • Tajiks (27%)
  • Hazara (9%)
  • Uzbeks (9%)
  • Assorted minor groups (13%)
• There is a substantial amount of interaction among the different ethnic groups which tends to blur lines of loyalty.
• Tribes usually form the basis for political stability and for the promotion of political interests.
• The conflict between the new Afghan government and the tribes is most evident with the Pashtun tribes and their Pashtunwali code.
• Melmastia (hospitality), Badal (revenge), and Nanawatay (asylum) are key principles of the Pashtunwali code.
• The Pashtunwali principles of Nang, Tor and Namus all deal with honor.
• Not observing these customary laws is considered disgraceful and may lead to social punishments such as expulsion of an individual or a whole family or even death.