The inhabitants of Afghanistan are diverse in their languages and ethnicity. Chief ethnic groups in Afghanistan are Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras. These groups have been residing collectively for hundreds of years. Despite this fact, the dissimilarities among them is quiet evident. Each of them have their own way of living, own beliefs, taboos, customs, mores etc.
Descent, geography and Shi'ism of Dari speaking Hararas distinguish them from Tajiks.
Pashtuns constitute the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan.They follow Sunni sect of Islam. This is an affluent class. In the novel, The Kite Runner Amir and his Baba were born into the privileged Pashtun Tribe, from well-off social background. For earning livelihood, they work in farmlands. Pashtuns are further segregated into tribes, most popular among them are Durrani and Ghilzai. They can be identified from other Afghan ethnic groups ethnic groups by their Pashtunwali way of living and Pashto language. Pashtunwali refers to the non-written code of lifestyle, ethics, custom and rituals followed by Pashtuns. It mostly deals with self-pride and honour. ..win him the kite......Their homeland lies in south of the Hindu Kush. Most of the respectable places in governmental posts are held by them. They form an educated lot. Amir's mother was a highly educated Pashtun who worked as a professor in university. Amir was well aware of his
Tajiks, with the population of 4.5 million, forms the second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. They speak Dari Persian language. They are not divided into tribes. They are mainly involved in sheep or goat herding and sedentary mountain farming. They grow variety of fine nuts and fruits. They are identified by the region or valley they live in like Badakhshi, Andarabi, Panjsheri and Samangani. Homeland of Tajiks lies in the Panjsher Valley north of Kabul and in the northern and northeastern provinces of Parwan, Takhar, Badakhshan, and also Baghlan and Samangan.
Hazaras are the inhabitants of central regions of Afghanistan. This region is known as Hazarat. They work as farmers and shepherds. They follow the Shia sect of Islam. Hassan and Ali belonged to the lowly Hazara tribe. They are Mogul descendants. Their ancestors lived in Xinjiang region of north-western China. Hazaras often have to face humiliation due to their distinct ethnic looks. Kids in the locality use to mock Ali and call him flat-nosed because of his characteristic Hazara Mongoloid features. They are lowest in the social ring. They are involved in meagre jobs. Thus, majority of them are illiterate. .....Hassan would grow up illiterate like Ali and most Hararas had been decided the minute he had been born...(36)......amir what use did servant have for the written word?......ingrained in his mind that Hazaras can never rise above their standard. ...racism ingrained........This For a long time, they have faced discrimination from other Afghans. People use to call them load-carrying donkeys, mice-eating and flat nosed. Amir often "heard some of the kids in the neighbourhood yell those names to Hassan" (11).However, they are now trying to improve their inferior status.
Uzbeks dwell along the northern areas of Afghanistan, mixed with Tajik population. They communicate in central Turkic dialects like Uzbeki. They are the followers of Sunni sect of Islam. Most of them earn their livelihood by farming and herding. Several of them have become flourishing businessmen and skilled artisans. They follow patriarchal system. Considerable power is enjoyed by the leaders having the title khan, beg or arbab. They can marry with Uzbek and Tajik. They are averse to matrimonial relations with Pushtuns.
Hierarchy in ethnic groups
In Afghanistan, Pashtuns are considered highest in the social ring. Next in the social ladder are Tajiks and Uzbeks. Their order can vary with regions. The Hazaras and the Gypsies form lowest social classes in Afghanistan.
Inter ethnic relations
Pashtun dominated biased government
Afghanistan is conglomeration of varied ethnic groups. With so many ethnic groups living in same territory, tensions and conflicts are bound to take place. Pashtuns form the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Afghanistan government is more often Pashtun dominated. These governments tend to be biased and favour Pashtuns over people from other ethnic groups. Political subjugation has inculcated disillusionment and feeling of resentment among other tribes. It has further given rise to a number of armed conflicts.
Overlapping of ethnic zones has also resulted into tension and conflict among different tribes of Afghanistan.
Rivalry between Pastuns and Hazaras has been going on since nineteenth century. Over half of the Hazaras have been killed in this feud. Hazaras were oppressed and persecuted by Pastuns. In nineteenth century, Hazaras tried to rise against the Pashtuns but they were repressed with terrifying violence. Many of the racist Pashtuns killed them , sold their women, driven them out of their properties and devastated their land. They are treated as possessions, not worthy of the same respect , equality, privileges and opportunities received by Pashtuns.
For centuries, they have been struggling hard to attain their freedom. Over two hundred years, they have been fighting against discrimination, segregation and persecution. So far, they have achieved little success by gaining few respectable political positions.
Qizilbash are mistrust by many Afghan ethnic groups because they supported British in Anglo-Afghan wars. Uzbeks are looked down by Pashtuns because of the deeds done by their forefathers. Even though, these groups have inter-economic relations with each other, tensions continue to prevail between them. The Wakhi and the Kirghiz are economically independent groups. Still, they have plenty of social tensions.
Divisions between rich and poor
The socioeconomic status in Afghanistan is highly correlated with ethnicity. Income inequality is widespread as most of the wealthy people come from the prestigious social classes like Pashtuns and majority of poor Afghans belong to lower social classes like Hazaras and Gypsies. Amir's father Baba, of The Kite Runner is an aristocratic scholar and a Pashtun. Thus, Amir and Baba represent the upper class of Afghanistan. On the other hand, Hassan and Ali work as slaves under Baba. They are from lower social class called Hazaras.
Tribalism, regionalism and ethnicity have created discord among Afghans. A dominant ethnic group often use its power to suppress other tribal and ethnic communities. In this way, the role of oppressed communities is marginalized in the process of decision making. They are deprived of the opportunities to express their opinions concerning the future of their nation's politics. The widening gap between rich and poor one hand and regional and tribal conflict on the other hand greatly hindered the modernization process in Afghanistan. Moreover, all these factors lead to a bloody civil war in the 1990s. It resulted into drastic destruction of the country's social, political, and economic infrastructures.
Elites are mainly Pashtuns. They have access to formal higher education and professional training in Afghanistan. Many of them also go abroad for higher studies. Most of the top governmental positions are occupied by them. They are mainly found in reputable jobs such as army generals, judges, governors, civil service officers etc.
Religious institutions play a crucial role in Afghanistan's political and social affairs. They have significant influence over the constituency of their community. In Afghanistan, religious leaders are known as pirs. Pirs provide guidance and advice to their followers on issues concerning their religious life. Usually, they come from rich families who own large property in rural and urban areas. Most pirs are of Sayyed background and claim direct descent from the family of the Prophet Muhammad and his son-in-law, Ali; however, some of these claims are impossible to substantiate with certainty (). Some of them also claim descent other spiritual figures and renowned Islamic mystics (sufi) families. They are viewed as liaisons between God and the people. Most of the Afghans believe that with the guidance of pirs, they can have better life after death, economically prosper and can be forgiven for past sins.
Another significant social group is formed by clerics (mullahs), who are in charge of religious centers (masjids), religious schools (madrasas) and mosques. Village communities provide food, money and a house to the mullah of their village mosque. The large mosques are managed by the most influential mullahs. Whereas, less influential mullahs are in charge of small mosques. They teach children, the art of Quranic recitation and basic reading and writing skills. The majority of Afghans are illiterate. Therefore, they depend on mullahs for explanation of religious scriptures and for writing and translating letters. This provides them the immense power to influence people by their own interpretations. ..The intensity of their authority in their locality is often viewed as a threat to the central government. ...
Dispossessed are poorest of all and are involved in undesirable occupations like gravediggers, tanners and waste collectors. These people have no access to assistance or support services of any kind. Therefore, they are most susceptible to abuse and exploitation by the wealthy and powerful people. They lived subsistent and bare existence in big urban areas. Their condition was further worsened by the long civil war that destroyed the civic institutions and economic infrastructure. This greatly affected the livelihood of these people. It worsened their hand-to-mouth condition and doubled their numbers.
History
Ethnic relations were tense and competitive before 1978. Various attempts were made by the pro-Soviet government to promote the languages, culture and rights of non-Pashtun groups. Although this endeavour failed, it led to the disintegration of the Pashtun political predominance. In the 1990s, political claims evolved progressively from an Islamic to an ethnic discourse. Islam-inspired resistance to the Soviets failed to provide a common ground for building peace and uniting people. Since 1992, the civil war has been marked by ethnic claims that have led to polarization between Pashtuns (who dominate the Taliban movement) and the other ethnic groups (who form the bulk of the opposing Northern Alliance).
2. Historical connection to class system in Afghanistan
Assef Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be. We are true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this flat-nose here. [Hazaras] pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood". ... Afghanistan for Pashtuns, I say. Thats my vision." (52)
Assef had resentment against Amir even after thirty years of their conflict.
"[Hazaras] did all just go rot in Hazarat where they belong. [They] are a disgrace to Afghanistan"(53)
As a child, Amir often took pleasure knowing that he was superior to Hassan as he was born into an upper class of Afghanistan.
Amir and Hassan were fed from the same breast, took their first steps together and said the same first words under the same roof. Still, " Amir never thought of Hassan and [himself]as friends." (25).
When Amir saw Hassan getting raped by Assef, he did not make any attempt to rescue him. He wanted to save himself the embarrassment of standing up for someone below his standard. At times, he had to face humiliation in public for being a Hazaras friend. One day when Assef mocked him for befriending a Hazara boy. Amir said "but he's not my friend!"... "he's my servant!" (41). But internally knew that he "treated Hassan well, just like a friend, better even, more like a brother".
