Ethnicity in Afghanistan

[Porus]

Very interesting talk by an Anthropologist on what ethnicity means in Afghanistan. Main points he raises are:

• Afghans consider multi-ethnic state to be a natural state
• Every Afghan looks after his own group's interest
• Every Afghan understands this game, therefore it works
• Civil war resulted in ethnic strife
• However no politician has ever called for ethnic separation

[Adam]

Interesting stuff, thanks for posting.

[Samandri]

I have read his book "Afghanistan: a cultural and political history", a fascinating read, very well-written book

[Porus]

I have read his book "Afghanistan: a cultural and political history", a fascinating read, very well-written book

Do you think that a division of Afghanistan based on ethnic lines just wouldn't be possible because of Afghanistan's geography?

If we examine the Durand Line issue; then people do raise this point that, how would you possibly establish a border in a region which is so difficult to manage. It would take years and years to create a border in a mountainous region.

Also Samandri, what are your opinions on Thomas' claim that Afghans consider multi-ethnic country to be natural? Do you think more than Pakistan, it's much more natural for Afghans: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Baloch, Hazara etc. to coexist than for Pakistanis?

[Baserka]

Also Samandri, what are your opinions on Thomas' claim that Afghans consider multi-ethnic country to be natural? Do you think more than Pakistan, it's much more natural for Afghans: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Baloch, Hazara etc. to coexist than for Pakistanis?

Could you elaborate on this a little further? Do you mean to say that in comparison to people of Afghanistan, Pakistanis are more able to coexist with Pakistani citizens of different ethnic backgrounds?

[UnknownUser]

Do you think that a division of Afghanistan based on ethnic lines just wouldn't be possible because of Afghanistan's geography?

If we examine the Durand Line issue; then people do raise this point that, how would you possibly establish a border in a region which is so difficult to manage. It would take years and years to create a border in a mountainous region.

Also Samandri, what are your opinions on Thomas' claim that Afghans consider multi-ethnic country to be natural? Do you think more than Pakistan, it's much more natural for Afghans: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Baloch, Hazara etc. to coexist than for Pakistanis?

Maybe the Afghan ethnics have more benefit in co-existing than seperate....this is how I see IT....A Pashtunistan/Pashtun only country for example would help Pashtuns very little, because geographical such country would be far smaller than Afghanistan and IT would still be landlocked...the same case for Tajiks and a greater Tajikistan...not to mention cultural similarty...someone correct me if I am wrong, but Uzbeks on Afghan side might culturally be closer to Pashtuns and Tajiks of Afghanistan than the Uzbeks of Uzbekistan...