Safi (Pashtun tribe)

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Safi (Pashto: ساپی‎ sāpay; plur. ساپي sāpi) is a major branch of the greater Gharghasht Pashtun tribe, originating in the Kohi Safi district of Parwan province. The Safi tribe comprises a majority in the Pech Valley of Kunar and are present in significant numbers in Parwan Province, Kapisa Province, Kabul Province, Laghman Province, Nuristan Province and the whole of Kunar Province. They are also present in smaller numbers in Mohmand and Bajaur Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan and in Zhob District, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Safi divisions

Currently Safi tribesmen are all around Afghanistan and in North-West Pakistan. The Safi are divided into 3 main clans. The four major clans are the Gurbuz, the Masood, the Qandahari and the Wadir.[1] The exact population number of this clan is not known; however, it is estimated to be around 2.5 million, both in Afghanistan and in Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Safis have played an important role in the Afghan society, especially in Afghan Governments and also were known to be against the kings. The Safis have had an important role on the other side of the Durand Line as well. On September 10, 2007 Safi elders of Mohmand Agency played an important role on reaching an agreement with Taliban fighters to stop attacks on Pakistani military, security forces, and government installations such as schools, and hospitals, etc. in Mohmand Agency.[2] The Origin of Safi Tribe

Qais (Abdur Rashid) founding father of Pashtoon Nation.Qais was born in Ghor Afghanistan and was the 37 descendent of King Soul (Malik Talut) , upon the advent of Islam he was send to Madina by his tribe to meet Mohammad and embraced Islam, and was given the name of Abdur Rashid by Mohammad. He returned Afghanistan and introduced Islam to his tribe.

Safi Refers to the Pashtun sub-tribes that are descended from Gharghasht, one of Qais Abdur Rashid's sons Safi is a major branch of the greater Gharghasht Pashtun tribe, originating in the Kohi Safi district of Parwan province. The Safi tribe comprises a majority in the Pech Valley of Kunar and is present in significant numbers in Parwan Province, Kapisa Province, Kabul Province, Laghman Province, Nuristan Province and the whole of Kunar Province. They are also present in in Mohmand, Bajaur Agency, and (FATA) Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan.

The Safi is divided into 3 main clans. The four major clans are the Gurbuz, the Masood, the Qandahari and the Wadir. The exact population number of this clan is not known; however, it is estimated to be around 2.5 million, both in Afghanistan and in Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

History

The ancestry of the Safis reaches back to the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Gandhara, and they are related to the neighboring Nuristanis. Besides Pashto, some clans of the Safis speak a Kohistani Pashayi dialect. Throughout Afghan history, the Safi have been mentioned, most famously during resistance against Aurangzeb, when a major war broke out in 1668. A rebellion was sparked by a general in the ranks of the Mughal Empire who had insulted a woman of this clan; in revenge Safi tribesmen killed the General. When news reached Aurangzeb that his general was killed, he appealed to the tribe to hand over the killers, but the elders refused and challenged the Emperor. Soon Aurangzeb set out with a large force against the Safi and their allies from among other Khattak, Afridis, Shinwari, Mohmands in the command of Khushal Khan Khattak which was at that time the tribal chief of Khattak tribe. Afghan sources claim that Aurangzeb suffered a humiliating defeat, with a reported loss of 40,000 Mughal soldiers.[3] Currently the Safi tribe is well known for resistance to the Taliban regime, and many fierce clashes have broken out between the two. Some Safi tribesmen also inhabit Balochistan Province, Pakistan, in Sibi District, with two sub clans: the Meerzai and Kamalzai. Safi are also living in Zobh District. In Balochistan they are together under Safi Ithad and their office is located at Mizan Chock in Mizan Plaza quetta. In Sibi, Safi have the lion share of water, 8 Pao of water in Nari River.[4]

Prominent Figures

  • Director general Shams-o-Qamar Safi Director general,federal accountability bureau, Pakistan
  • General Rahmatullah Safi colonel in Afghan Royal Army
  • Amanullah Sailaab Sapi (Afghan Poet)
  • Haji Khudai Dad Khan Safi a prominent leader Safi tribe in Zabul
  • Saleem Safi Journalist
  • General Nasrallah Safi ( Lecturer at Military University, Writer, and Deputy to General Rahim Wardak )

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/Docs/Pakistan/Tribes/Safi2.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/2007/09/10/top8.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.afghanland.com/poetry/khatak.html
  4. ↑ Guardian News
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