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    Pme On Afgh Culture Final

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    Fayyaz Ali
    This document provides an overview of cultural and ethnic groups in Afghanistan. It discusses the main ethnic groups - Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Nuristani - and their geographic locations, languages, and roles in conflicts such as with the Taliban. It also summarizes Afghanistan's national holidays, Islamic colors and their meanings, differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, and the tribal code known as Pashtunwali that governs honor, hospitality, loyalty, and revenge.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Pme On Afgh Culture Final

    Uploaded by

    Fayyaz Ali
    48 views18 pages
    This document provides an overview of cultural and ethnic groups in Afghanistan. It discusses the main ethnic groups - Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Nuristani - and their geographic locations, languages, and roles in conflicts such as with the Taliban. It also summarizes Afghanistan's national holidays, Islamic colors and their meanings, differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, and the tribal code known as Pashtunwali that governs honor, hospitality, loyalty, and revenge.

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    Original Title

    Pme on Afgh Culture Final

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    This document provides an overview of cultural and ethnic groups in Afghanistan. It discusses the main ethnic groups - Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Nuristani - and their geographic locations, languages, and roles in conflicts such as with the Taliban. It also summarizes Afghanistan's national holidays, Islamic colors and their meanings, differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, and the tribal code known as Pashtunwali that governs honor, hospitality, loyalty, and revenge.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    48 views18 pages

    Pme On Afgh Culture Final

    Uploaded by

    Fayyaz Ali
    This document provides an overview of cultural and ethnic groups in Afghanistan. It discusses the main ethnic groups - Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Nuristani - and their geographic locations, languages, and roles in conflicts such as with the Taliban. It also summarizes Afghanistan's national holidays, Islamic colors and their meanings, differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, and the tribal code known as Pashtunwali that governs honor, hospitality, loyalty, and revenge.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    of 18

    Cultural Awareness

    Afghanistan

    Created and Presented by


    LtCol Michael S. Grogan, USMC & GySgt Ronald A. Davis, USMC
    Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan
    January 2007

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Cultural Awareness Afghanistan


    Ethnic Groups:
    Pashtuan 40% of population Largest and most dominate
    population - mostly Sunni
    - Speak Pashtu and Dari - urban areas
    - Formed Taliban Core loyal until defeat
    Tajiks No tribal identity. Strong family ties
    -wary of Pashtuan Leadership
    -Opposed Taliban
    -Sunni Muslims of Persian Ancestry
    -Comprises 25% of the population
    Hazara Shia Muslims persecuted by Sunnis
    -Speak Hazagari Language close to Dari
    -Fought with Northern Alliance against Taliban
    -Comprises 10% of the population
    Uzbeks Sunni Muslims of Turkic ancestry
    -Speak Uzbec and Dari
    Fought with Northern Alliance against Taliban
    Nuristani - Comprises 1% of population
    15 autonomous tribes forces to convert to Muslim

    UNCLASSIFIED

    AFGHANISTAN ETHINIC BREAKDOWN

    UNCLASSIFIED

    National Holidays
    Mt Arafat Day 1 Feb
    Navroz 20 March
    Loss of Muslim Nation 28 Apr
    National Day 19 Aug
    Pashtunisan Day 30-31 Aug

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Islamic Colors

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Muslims fly flags to observe holidays or dates to observe personal significance. Each
    color has a specific meaning:

    Submission to God

    Sacrifice

    Purity

    Martyrdom

    Religious Groups Differences

    UNCLASSIFIED

    DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SHIA AND SUNNI:


    The split dates back to the death of Prophet
    Muhammad---Who would take over leadership?
    Sunni believe Islamic political/religious leader should be
    elected based on capability
    Muhammeds close friend & advisor: Abu Bakr First Islamic Caliph
    Sunni is Arabic word meaning: One who follows the traditions of the
    prophet
    85% of all Muslims are Sunni

    Shia believe the Islamic political/religious leader should be


    hereditary
    Decent through Mohammeds daughter, Fatima, and her husband, Ali
    (Mohammeds cousin).
    Shia is Arabic word meaning: Followers; members of a party
    15% of all Muslims are Shia

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Cultural Mindset Education and Religion


    Education:
    Education is lacking by Western standards.
    Most Afghans are illiterate; few can read words or maps.
    Historical accounts are limited to local events, often skewed by Afghan bias and sheltered
    existences, and may be referred to as recent events.
    Scholars and educators bring honor to family and tribe, and their views are considered infallible,
    more so if these views compete with Western ideas.

    Religion:
    Religious credentials are highly respected and often determine leadership in this predominately
    Muslim society
    Religious leaders are considered infallible
    Their instructions and judgments are based on the word of God as cited in the
    Koran or the practices of Muhammad as cited in the Hadith and the Sunna.
    Non-Muslim beliefs and practices (holy trinity, eating pork, etc.) are considered wrong.
    Do not confront a Muslim on his religious beliefs.

    Cultural Mindset Rural/Urban Views

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Rural philosophy is based on religious conservatism


    Urban philosophy is based on secular progressive ideals
    Local power structure is determined by the dominant
    philosophy of each region

    Tribal Characteristics

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Eastern Pashtuns
    (No confederation/alliance)
    Independent tribes on both sides of Afghanistans border with Pakistan.
    Alliances form and are broken based on local conditions.
    Some tribes control routesv passes, and border crossings.
    Hizb-i-Islami Gulbuddin and Taliban operate in this region.

    Southern Pashtuns (Ghilzai Confederation)


    Historical opposition to Durrani Pashtuns.
    Historically, troublesome Ghilzai leaders removed from tribal areas. to northern Afghanistan
    government postings became detribalized Pashtuns.
    Taliban and al Qaida operate in their region.

    Southern Pashtuns (Ghilzai Confederation)


    Durrani elites have been the traditional rulers of Afghanistan.
    The lower class formed the base of the Taliban movement in the Durrani region.
    President Hamid Karzai is a Durrani of the Popolzai tribe.

    Nuristanis
    No formal alliances exist between tribes, due to isolation imposed by the extreme terrain.
    Hospitality is similar to that of the Pushtunwali Code.
    Hizb-i-Islami Gulbuddin and al Qaida forces have routinely operated in the Nuristani region.

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Southern Afghan Tribal Names

    Afghan Names: Some Afghans use tribal names for last names. Others
    adopt local names. These names can provide a general idea of their location.
    The following lists major tribes in Afghanistan.

    Durrani
    Achakzai
    Alikozai
    Alizai
    Barakzai
    Mohammadzai
    Nurzai
    Popolzai

    Ghilzai
    Ahmadzai
    Alikhel
    Andar
    Hotaki
    Jadran
    Jaji
    Kharruti

    Nasir
    Sulaiman Khel
    Taraki
    Tokhi
    Wazir

    Nuristani
    (Non-Pashtun)

    Aroki
    Bushgalis
    Gawarbati
    Kalashis
    Kom

    Ksto
    Lumgalis
    Parachi
    Rumgalis
    Sufeid Posh

    DOS AND DONT

    UNCLASSIFIED

    The essential elements of the Pushtunwali Code are to avoid shame (haya) and seek honor
    (namuz) for oneself and ones family. The following behaviors should be avoided:
    Dont use the left hand for physical contact with others, to
    eat, or to make gestures; it is considered unclean.
    Dont sit with the soles of your feet facing someone. It
    indicates that person is beneath you.
    Dont show a woman attention by addressing, touching,
    or staring at her. Dont ask men direct questions about their
    female relatives.
    Dont walk away from someone who is speaking to you.
    Dont tell an Afghan he is wrong if he gives incorrect
    information. It is considered a slight.
    Dont express emotion in public; it is considered a weakness.
    Dont expect Afghans to be able to read, especially outside
    urban centers.
    Dont beckon or point with a finger. It is considered rude
    and may be mistaken for a challenge.
    Dont wear sunglasses indoors. It is considered disrespectful
    of the buildings status and its host.
    Dont offer an Afghan food or drink or publicly consume
    either during Ramadan, when Muslims fast.

    DOS AND DONT

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Afghans conduct themselves so as to bring honor and respect to themselves and


    their families. The following customs should be practiced:
    Do shake hands firmly but gently in greeting and
    departure. Always shake with the right hand.
    Do try all food offered. This acknowledges the
    hospitality of the host. Often, items offered may have
    been difficult to acquire.
    Do understand the nature of Afghan hospitality as
    an opportunity for the host to display power and gain
    honor. The hosts effort should be recognized.
    Do expect to spend much of a visit socializing and
    drinking tea before discussing business.
    Do use applicable professional or academic titles.
    Titles such as engineer, doctor, and professor,
    confer recognition of achievement and honor the
    individual, his family, and his tribe.
    Do expect Afghans to have a different sense of time
    and punctuality. Afghans believe a task will be

    Pushtunwali Code
    Pashtun cultural practices often supersede religious ones.
    Jihad (religious struggle) can also mean defense of tribal
    honor, family, and loyalty.
    Pashtuns often express religious devotion through the
    Pushtunwali Code
    a standard of behavior centered on honor (namuz)
    and shame (haya).
    Pashtuns place a high value on the following concepts:
    Hospitality (malmastia): Affording shelter and sanctuary to all is
    a social obligation conferring honor on the host.
    Political patronage is a form of hospitality that allows a host to
    retain loyalty from and power over those subordinates.
    Solidarity (nang): The code mandates devotion and loyalty to
    families, tribes, and designated religious, tribal, and political
    leaders, especially those who represent the tribe.

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Pushtunwali Code
    (continued)

    Territorialism (ghayrat): Loyalty to the homeland is displayed


    through a willingness to defend tribal and personal territory,
    property, and individuals. Though often called jihad in
    Pashtun circles, a fight does not need a religious basis.
    Bravery (tureh): Pashtuns consider defensive or security
    roles in warfare shameful and insulting. However, conducting
    a surprise hit-and-run attack against a superior force, and
    other such acts of bravado, brings honor to a fighter and his
    tribe. Coalition leaders
    who use their Afghan fighters in offensive roles will likely see
    higher morale than those who use them defensively.
    Revenge (badal): It is considered honorable to respond to
    slights between individuals or tribes with reciprocation. This
    philosophy limits excessive violence between tribes. Failure
    to take revenge is perceived as shameful.

    UNCLASSIFIED

    Pashtuan People
    Pashtuns are organized into tribes and tribal blocs
    Distinguished by their language, ancestry, and history
    Most are Hanafi Sunni Muslims, but there are some Shia

    Pashtuns in Pakistan
    As many as 3 million Pashtuns in Pakistan are refugees past fighting in Afghanistan
    Most Pashtuns recognize the political, but not the cultural border between the two
    Countries
    Many want to unite the two Pashtun areas into a greater Pashtunistan
    Pashtuns see themselves as the rightful and historical leaders of Afghanistan.
    Jirga
    Pashtuan tribal and religious leaders assemble to deliberate matters of great importance.
    Jirga is employed at all levels of Pashtuan society
    A Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) is a national, deliberative body involving all Afghans
    Afghanistan is governed by a Pashtun code of conduct called Pushtunwali (see panel below).

    UNCLASSIFIED

    UNCLASSIFIED
    UNCLASSIFIED

    AFGHANISTAN GEOGRAPHY

    Afghanistan Terrain

    UNCLASSIFIED

    UNCLASSIFIED

    QUESTIONS?

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