Pashtuns By: Tucker Armstrong

What does it mean to be Pashtun? There are about 40 million estimated Pashtuns To speak Pashtu Be a Sunni Muslim Boys and girls go to separate schools if they go at all Pashtuns in northern Afghanistan enjoy playing “goat pulling” “Religious prohibitions prevent Pashtuns (and all Muslims) from eating pork and drinking alcoholic beverages”( Food).

What does it mean to be Pashtun? (continued) “Live by a strict code of honor and culture, observing rules and laws known as Pashtunwalai, which has kept them straight for 2000 years” (Lone Survivor) “The tribal code Pashtunwalai, has heavy demands: hospitality, generosity, and the duty to avenge even the slightest insult” (Lone Survivor) “The tribe accepts Lokhay, it undertakes to safeguard and protect that individual from an enemy at all cost” (Lone Survivor)

History of the Pashtuns in Afghanistan World’s oldest living tribal group Date back to the first millennium History widely began with Pashtun ghazis( warriors for the faith) invaded and conquered much of northern India during the Khilji dynasty, Lodhi dynasty, and Suri dynasty Origin is unknown

What is the role of Pashtuns in Afghanistan Majority of population Don’t recognize border between Afghanistan and Pakistan; artificial boundary created by the British Believe in Sharia Law Primary ethnic group that comprised the Taliban in the 1990’s Differences among clans and families have led to much violence