Harry Davis
The Diverse Demographic Composition and Weather of Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s unique geographical position at the bottom of Asian continent and the top of the Middle Eastern region has meant Afghanistan has developed an extremely diverse population and culture. The borders of Afghanistan seem strained and ‘fake’ if one considers Afghanistan’s diverse cultural composition. Of Afghanistan’s nearly 32 million residents, 42% are Pashtun, 27% are Tajik, 9% are Hazara, 9% are Uzbek, 4% are Aimak, 3% are Turkmen, and 2% are Baloch. 1 Afghanistan has had a long and, especially in modern times, unsettled and war-ridden history; this turbulent history has caused ethnical, social, and cultural division and disruption. Moreover, Afghanistan’s unique topography has had an effect on the location of its various ethnic groups. In fact, the Hindu Kush’s positioning, right in the middle of the country, has divided the population into the northern, southern, eastern, and western regions. 2 These regions have been further divided because of the small-scale topography and historical settlement patterns of the country. 2 For these reasons, Afghanistan can be divided into roughly four regions of peoples who all have varying customs, beliefs, and ways of life.
Tucked in the rough terrain of the east, lay the Tajiks. 2 The Tajiks are classified as those of Iranian descent who speak a form of Persian; there are roughly five million Tajiks in Eastern Afghanistan and a few scattered around the country in other places. 2 Tajiks are predominantly Sunni, but some of the Tajiks who live in secluded mountain villages, are of the Shia faith. 2
In low-lying plains of the west, there are mixture of Uzbeks and Turkmen. Two million Uzbeks live in Afghanistan currently, speaking one of the two dialects of Uzbek, a derivative of the Turkic dialect. 2 Uzbeks are primarily Sunni, but they belong to the strict Hanafi school of the Islamic faith. Uzbeks are extremely devout Muslims and follow stringent traditions on marriage and burial rites. 2 The most common Uzbek profession is that of farming. 2 The Turkmen, on the other hand, are nomadic herders. Turkmen usually follow the Islamic faith, but they are less serious about the religion than other ethnic groups of Afghanistan. 2
In the south of Afghanistan, there are three regions: Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Hazarajat. Kabul’s position as the capital of the country has allowed it to become one the most integrated and diverse regions of Afghanistan. 2 Although Kabul is primarily Pashtun, a ethnic group who speak Pashtu, the south of Kabul is home to some Tajiks and Nuristani, a ethnic group consisting of Sunni Muslims who speak Kafiri, as well. 2 The Pashtun also live in the Kandahar region, and there are some Brahui people also living there. There is a mixture of Pashtun, Tajiks, and Chahar in Herat, the southwestern region, and in Hazarajat, there are the Hazar. The Hazar are Sunni Muslims of Persian descant. 2
Since the Soviet invasion of 1979, the countries demographic trends and population movements have been disrupted. 2 Many of Afghanistan’s inhabitants have fled for the safe havens of either Iran or Pakistan, and many others have headed for the capital, Kabul. During this time Kabul’s population has doubled in size. 2 In the 1980s alone, almost three and half million Afghanis were classified as refugees. 2 Some of these refugees were relocated back to their homelands during the nineties, but since the United States’ invasion of Afghanistan, the numbers of refugees have risen again.
The diversity of Afghanistan’s population is also evident in the food and clothes of Afghanis. Although many Afghanis prepare similar dishes, each chef prepares his or her food differently and uniquely. 3 Furthermore, despite the presence of traditional clothing in Afghanistan, Afghans wear a wide variety of clothing. 4 Afghan clothing is a medley of traditional Afghani clothing, such as Purda, and Western trends, such as striped pajama pants. 4
The diverse nature of Afghanistan’s various ethnic groups and cultures is influenced by the diverse nature of the climate in the various regions of the country. The country, as a whole, experiences below-freezing temperatures in the winter months and hot, dry, arid weather in summer months. 2 Afghanistan’s location nearly 300 miles away from the nearest ocean means that cool sea breezes do not moderate the heat of the summer and mild sea winds do not temper the cold of the winter. In specific regional areas though, the weather may differ. For example, the mountainous region near the border with Pakistan, experiences the humid rains of the Indian Monsoon season.2 Afghanistan’s weather is so diverse that even in the period of a day, the temperature can vary radically. In the southwestern plateau, there can be daytime temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures as low as 35 degree Fahrenheit. 2 Afghanistan diverse climate makes is susceptible to many major weather phenomena: heat waves and cold waves, floods and droughts, and even avalanches.
Afghanistan is country of many cultures, many peoples, and many varying weather phenomena. The effects of this diversity in Afghanistan’s society have been evident in the countries turbulent history and current state of political turmoil. The countries boundaries, which were imposed after World War Two, seem unnatural. Afghanistan’s diversity challenges the idea of the modern sovereign nation. A nation is historically united in customs and believes; the countries populace might have disagreements, but there is still a common identity. Afghanistan’s diversity in many ways out weighs any sense of national identity and unity, for the people do not even experience the same weather. For these reasons, one may wonder whether in fact Afghanistan’s borders should stay as they are, or change to accommodate the country’s diverse cultural composition.
Bibliography:
"Afghanistan." CIA - the World Factbook. 6 Dec. 2007. 12 Dec. 2007 <https://www.cia.gov>.
"Afghanistan." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-21419>.
Qazi, Christi. "Afghan Cooking." Afghanistan Online. 2001. 16 Nov. 2007 <http://www.afghan-web.com/culture/cooking/>.
"Afghan Clothing." 19 Nov. 2007 <http://www.public.asu.edu>.