Afghanistan

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a land-locked and mountainous country in South Central Asia surrounded by Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east, and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China to the north.

Learn more about Afghanistan

Note: For earlier history of the area of Afghanistan, see Iran.

Ethnic Tribes

Pashtun

“Afghan Girl” is a picture by Steve McCurry that was featured on the cover of the June 1985 National Geographic Magazine. The 12-year-old girl, Sharbat Gula, an Afghan of Pashtun ethnicity, was orphaned during the Soviet War and sent to the Nasir Bach refugee camp in Pakistan. The woman in the picture was identified in 2002.

The Pashtun are Sunni Muslims that make up approximately 42% of the population. They are characterized by their use of the Pashto language and are concentrated in the eastern Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Paktia. There is also a large population of Pashtuns living in Pakistan.

Tajik

The Tajiks are Sunni Muslims that make up approximately 27% of the population. The majority of Tajiks in Afghanistan reside in Kabul. They speak Dari, a dialect of Persian found in Eastern Iran. There are Tajiks in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Russia. In Afghanistan, the Tajiks do not organize themselves by their tribe but rather by the city they are from, for example, Kabuli, Herati, Baglani, etc.

Smaller Tribes

Hazāra

The Hazāras are Shi'a Muslims that make up about 9% of the population. Because of their religion, they were especially persecuted by the Taliban during their rule. They are descendants of the Mongols and speak a dialect of Persian that contains many Turkish words.

Uzbek

The Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims that make up about 9% of the population. They live in the northern regions of Afghanistan and speak a dialect of Turkish.

Turkmen

The Turkmen make up about 3% of the population. They are a very conservative tribe.

Baluch

The Baluchis are Sunni Muslims that make up about 2% of the population. They are nomads who speak Baluchi, an Iranian language.

Literary Language

Arabic

• The majority of texts are written in Arabic. Classical Arabic is reserved for religious writing, while Modern Standard Arabic is used for secular texts. Both Pashto and Dari texts are based on Arabic script.

• For more information, see Arabic.

Culture

Religion

• Islam is practiced by more than 99% of Afghanis and governs much of their personal, political, economic, and legal lives. The two major sects of Islam are Sunni and Shi'a. Approximately 74-80% are Sunni and 19-25% are Shi'a. For more information about Sunni and Shi'a, see Iran.

• Muslims, the people who practice Islam, must pray 5 times a day-at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.

• Friday is the Muslim Holy day. Many offices are also closed on Thursdays, so the typical weekend is Thursday and Friday.

• During Ramadan, Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and may only work for 6 hours a day. Ramadan begins in August and lasts for 30 days. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, smoking cigarettes, or chewing gum. 24)

Health

• Afghanistan has the highest infant mortality rate in the world: about 257 deaths per 1,000 live births. It is considered the most dangerous country for a child to be born in (UNICEF 2009).

• Approximately 80,000 Afghans have lost limbs as a result of land-mines, and over 1 million people have become disabled due to the years of war in the country.

Family

• The family is sacred and is the most important unit in Afghanistan.

• Men's and women's roles are traditionally defined, for example, women take care of household duties and men work outside the home.

• Many marriages are pre-arranged by the family and are determined by tribe, status, and wealth.

• Families live together. When a son marries, he and his wife live under the same roof as his parents.

Social Etiquette

• The handshake is the most common form of greeting. People may also place their hands over their hearts and nod slightly.

• It is custom to inquire about a person's health, family, etc.

• Men and women do not shake hands nor talk directly to one another.

• Eye contact between men and women is unacceptable, and it should be brief between men.

• Alcohol should not be given as a gift, and if so, it should be done discreetly.

• Always remove shoes at the door before entering the home.

• When invited to tea for the first time, it is expected to bring a small gift. Be sure the gift is wrapped nicely and to give the gift subtly.

• Meals are typically served communally on the floor. You will be seated on cushions.

• Meals are eaten with the hands. Do not eat with the left hand. Always pass and receive things using your right hand.

• Leave some food on your plate, or else it will continue to be refilled.

• Business cards give a sense of importance and prestige. Only receive cards with your right hand.

• Initial business meetings should be used to establish trust.

• Afghani communication style is indirect

Afghan Americans in the United States

• People have been immigrating to the United States from Afghanistan since the 1920s. Most of those left Afghanistan for increased educational and professional opportunities. Approximately 38,000 Afghan refugees fled to United States following the Soviet invasion during the Cold War in the 1980s. In the early 1980s, the Afghan immigrants easily adapted to American life as they were educated and cosmopolitan. By the late 1980s, the family reunification project brought in immigrants who were less educated, more illiterate, and less open to US culture.

• According to the Embassy of Afghanistan, there are approximately 300,000 Afghans living in the United States. Because of the family reunification project, immigrants tend to group together in certain areas. There are greater numbers of Afghans on the West Coast (California), in the Northeast, and in the South 30)31)

• The 2001 attacks on the US have increased discrimination and hate-crimes against Afghan Americans even though the attacks were unrelated to Afghanistan. 32)

• The Afghan Diaspora, permanent relocation, has created many of the current problems with reconstructing society in Afghanistan. There is a great shortage of human resources, especially educated citizens. 33)

• Information on Afghans living in the Portland, Oregon area is very limited, as they are not among the top 20 immigrant groups. On the 2000 US Census, 78 persons in the area reported Afghan ancestry.

Original Contributors: Claire Barnes, Katy Brandt, & Devin Dolan; Winter 2010