Ahmadzai

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Aḥmadzai ("descendants of Aḥmad") is a Pashtun tribal last name. There are many separate and distinct clans, sub-clans, tribal fractions, large families etc. that trace their ancestry to different Aḥmads.[1]

There are in fact many subdivisions of larger tribes by the name of Ahmadzai. After the Ghilzai or Ghaljai Ahmadzai the largest and most renowned tribe by the name of Ahmadzai is a division of Wazir tribe, which is a Karlani tribe.

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[edit] Ahmadzai of Pakistan

The Wazir Ahmadzai tribe lives in the south-eastern side of the Durand Line in Waziristan, Pakistan. In late March 2007, fighting between local tribes and Uzbek militants in the restive south Waziristan region escalated on the 21st, raising the total death toll to 110. Most of the dead were of Central Asian origin. Pakistan has cited the fighting as a success in its efforts to get ethnic Pashtun tribes to root out al-Qaida militants hiding in the region. But experts say the bloodshed underscored the government's inability to police the region and could unleash a cycle of violence between warring factions.[2]

[edit] Ahmadzai of Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, there are two distnict clans of Ahmadzai: the Durrani (a.k.a. Abdali) branch and the Ghilzai branch of Paktia and Logar.[1] The Ahmadzai of the Ghilzai branch are known for following Pashtunwali (the way of the Pashtun).[1]

The Ghilzai Ahmadzai is one of the classic Kuchi (nomads) tribe. Alldough majority of the sub-tribes are settled in villages and small cities and communities, they still keep their nomadic identity intact. In fact most people refer to Ahmadzi as Kochian. It is a title or nickname which refers to their conservative character that is significant for Afghan nomads. The Ahmadzi tribes are spread all across Afghanistan. Yet their accent which is a classic Kochiani accent is similar everywhere. Which a root vocabulary of the Pashto language.

In the last two centuries the Ghilzai Ahmadzai is divided in several large families and sub-tribes. Amongst them are:

Musah Khel; Isah Khel; Taghar; Jabar Khel; Abu Bakr Khel/Babakar Khal/Bakur Khel and many other sub-tribes and assimilated tribes like Maruf Khel.

Musah Khel, Isah Khel and Taghar still have nomadic sub-divisions. Unlike Jabar Khel & Abu Bakr Khel.

In the course of history, the Ghilzai Ahmadzai has developed itself as a prestigious tribe. The reason for that is that it use to have strong leaders and a very primitive war-monging character.[citation needed] They use to be a very powerful. In fact, the Abu Bakr Khels & Jabar Khels are referred to as "Khanan" ( "Lords" or Aristocrats). Even in present time, there are many tribesmen who own hundreds of hectares of fertile land across the country.

[edit] Famous Ahmadzai

[[*Dr. Ashraf Ghani,http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Ashraf+ghani+ahmadzai&spell=1

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Kieffer, Ch. M. "AḤMADZĪ". Encyclopædia Iranica (Online Edition). United States: Columbia University. 
  2. ^ [1]


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