Pashtuns

Erica AlvarezHonors English 2/3rd block

What does it mean to be Pashtun?

Being part of the “mountain people” population living in the eastern regions of Afghanistan

Also called the “Sunnis”http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/pashtun.htm

About the Pashtuns

Largest ethnic group in Afghanistan Estimated 40 million people Group belongs to the Eastern Iranian

people High in the caste system Majority of Pashtuns are found south

of the Oxus River and west of the Indus River

Speak Pashto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_people

About the Pashtuns

Most Pashtuns work as farmers or herdsmen

Extend beyond Afghanistan into Pakistan with a population totaling to 14 million

Culture follows Pushtunwali, which contains their social order, responsibilities, values, standards, and behavior expectations

Straight-nosed, black hair, and dark eyes

http://www.photius.com/countries/afghanistan/society/afghanistan_society_pashtun.html

History of Pashtuns

Evidence shows that Central Asia was an area where the ancestors of Pashtuns may have been

The word “Afghan” first appeared in the Hudud-al-Alam in 982 AD

The word “Afghan” had been used as a synonym for the word “Pashtun”

Between the 1st and 5th century, Pashtuns saw unlimited migrations of people from Central Asia and the Middle East

http://www.swatian.com/history/pashtun_history.html

History of Pashtuns

Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of Afghanistan, was a Pashtun (1747)

Arose from a mesh of ancient and intelligent invaders

http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html

Role of Pashtuns

They have ruled Afghanistan since its creation

Removed the British from Afghanistan

They fought off the Tajik king 23 years of war destroyed

everything and made the people more defenseless

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2151194.stm

Role of Pashtuns

Divided into tribal and sub-tribal groups, and are expected to stay loyal to their groups

Live off of agriculture and trade http://www.afghan-network.net/Ethnic-Groups/pashtuns.html

Works Cited

"Afghanistan Pashtun - Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System." Afghanistan Pashtun - Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012.

"AFGHANS: Their History and Culture." AFGHANS: Their History and Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012.

"History and Origion of Pashtun (Pakhtoon)." History and Origion of Pashtun, Pakhtoon. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012.

Works Cited

"Pashtun People." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Oct. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2012.

BBC News. BBC, 25 July 2002. Web. 10 Oct. 2012.

"Pashtuns of Afghanistan." Pashtuns of Afghanistan. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012.