AP+Pashtun+and+Harza

=Pashtun and Hazara:=



Cultural: Alli Griffin It seems to be that the Pashtun and Hazara are two different cultures that are represented in the novel “The Kite Runner”. Both are cultures of Afghanistan. The Hazara culture, as described in the article “Hazara People”, is based off of, “Highland farmers and although sedentary like the Tajiks, in the Hazarajat, they have retained many of their own customs and traditions” (Hazara People). They come from a “farming” background that affects their “customs and traditions”. These said traditions may differ from those of another culture and cause conflict. (Which is what seems to be the case in “The Kite Runner”.) The Pashtun culture, as described in the article “Pashtun People” consists of, “Pre-Islamic traditions, dating back to Alexander's defeat of the Persian Empire in 330 BC, possibly survived in the form of traditional dances, while literary styles and music reflect influence from the Persian tradition and regional musical instruments fused with localized variants and interpretation” (Pashtun People). Their culture has more of a pop culture influence with “literary styles and music” that cause variation among the different cultures.

In terms of “The Kite Runner”, the Hazara and Pashtun cultures clash. In the article “The Kite Runner”, the conflict is strongly implied. It states, “Amir, a well-to-do Pashtun boy, and Hassan, a Hazarawho is the son of Ali, Amir's father's servant, spend their days in the then peaceful city of Kabul, kite fighting" (The Kite Runner). The distinction between “Pashtun” and “Hazara” shows that Khaled Hosseini, author of “The Kite Runner” is using the terminology of the cultures for his audience’s benefit. He wants to show the audience the clash between the cultures and use that to his advantage in the book. The conflict is a common theme throughout the novel, and the discrimination and differences between the cultures are a cultural aspect in Afghanistan.

//Hazara People.// Wikipedia. January 2012. Web. 2 February 2012. //The Kite Runner.// Wikipedia. January 2012. Web. 2 February 2012. //Pashtun People.// Wikipedia. January 2012. Web. 2 February 2012.

In Pashtun and Hazara are two different ethnic groups located in the middle east. The first group, the Pashtuns is the most diverse and, arguably, the more powerful between the two. What makes them so diverse are the number of tribes they can be found in, "it is composed of at least seven tribal groups: the Durrani, Ghilzai, Jaji, Mangal, Safi, Mamund, and Mohmand" (Idelfonso). Since the Pashtuns have been known as the more powerful between the two groups, they tend to be the ones in higher government rankings. Thus, the other ethnic groups have just learned to "deal" with them. Much of the history behind the Pashtun people is ancient and has yet to be properly researched. Researches say that the history of the Pashtun groups is so obscure it is near impossible to find an exact pinpoint to follow to modern times. The Pashtun's have branched out so much with so many different tribes, they have become a powerful, yet very difficult, group to follow.
 * Historical: Chantal Pelzer**

The Hazara's history is much more clear than the Pashtun's. Hazara's are the largest Shia group in the country of Afghanistan. The first mention of the Hazara people happen in the late 16th century, referring to people living west of Kabul to Ghor. In the 18th century is when the Pashtun and Hazara really began to clash, "Since the beginnings of modern Afghanistan in the mid 18th century, Hazaras have faced persecution from the Pashtuns and have been forced to flee from many parts of today's Afghanistan to Hazarajat" (Wikipedia). When Abdur Rahman Khan became Emir of Afghanistan he continued to polarize and try to rule the Hazara people. Any Hazara people/groups who resisted would face a declaration of war from Khan. In the late 19th century another Hazara uprising was caused due to the rape of a Hazaran chief's wife by 33 Afghan soldiers. The Hazara people put up a fight, but were soon defeated due to the Pashtun cutting off their food supply. All of these conflicts were continued by the Taliban into the 20th century.

For You a Thousand Times Over. Pashtuns and Hazaras, 2008. Web. 3 Feb. 2012 "Hazara People." Wikipedia, The Free Encylopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Web. 3 Feb. 2012

Aim: Hunter Kennedy

Essentially the Hazara's were the people who originally lived a simpler way of life in Afghanistan, and believed in Shi'i Muslims. The Pashtun's however did not believe in Shi'i, and persecuted the Hazara's for this reason. Thus began the conflict between these two people groups. In history though it is important to note, "There really is no way to pinpoint just where the origins of the Hazaras started and there have been many speculations but one thing is clear—the Hazaras have longer, stronger, and more solid ties to the region than the Pashtuns have" (Mongols Influence Over Pashtuns). The aim of the Pashtun's is simply to cause the Hazaras to move from the places where they were "stronger" and had "more solid ties." Although this is clearly not a fair situation, it is a prevalent one that has lead to extreme hate and even sometimes violence among these people. It is common knowledge that the aim of the Pashtuns is an illegitimate one and that they really do not have a right to have claimed the region that they did.

The aim of the Pashtun in the novel, //Kite Runner,// is the same as it was historically. In the novel it will play a role of showing what characters are viewed positively or negatively. One of the characters with the strongest ties to the Pashtun group is Assef, who is described " Assef is the main antagonist of the novel. He is the son of an Afghan father and a German mother and ironically, given that he is of mixed origin, an advocate of Pashtun dominance over the Hazara" (The Kite Runner//).// As previously stated the aim of these terms in the novel are to evoke a historical reference, and show who the antagonist is. In this case, Pashtun's are viewed as somewhat unfair and negative, specifically toward the Hazaras. Thus Assef is the "antagonist" and the other characters who are persecuted by him, and his people group are the antagonist.

"Hazaras of Afghanistan." //Afghan Network INteractive//. Web. 3 Feb. 2012. "Mongols Influence Over Pashtuns." //Afghan Mirror//. Web. 3 Feb. 2012. //The Kite Runner.// Wikipedia. January 2012. Web. 2 February 2012.

Audience: Taylor Rosenow

In Afghanistan many people have been affected by the conflict between Hazaras and Pashtuns, and the author of //The Kite Runner//, Khaled Hosseini, wished to show this large ethnic conflict to the world. The Hazara people mainly live in central Afghanistan and are often connected with the Pashtuns. Hazaras are Shia Muslims who have been persecuted and oppressed by Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns practice Sunni Islam and look down upon those who practice Shia or other forms of religion. The social divide between the two groups has created great tension and discrimination over the years. The discrimination and barrier between them was perpetuated by the people, even after the end of Abdur Rahman’s reign (//Hazara People//). This divide has mainly affected the Hazara people by giving them less opportunity and little respect over the years. They were treated as the lower class and often bullied. Their racial and religious differences were reason enough for the majority of the Sunni Muslims to persecute them. The conflict that existed between them influenced all of society in Afghanistan. Started by early Pashtun leaders to justify expansion and encourage discrimination against other religious practices, the conflict became a national problem. One article states, “Whereas Afghanistan's majority are Sunni Muslims, the Hazara are Shi ʿ a, and the Nuristani practice their own religion. Religion was used to legitimize warfare and ethnic persecution” (//Ethnic Conflict-Afghanistan//). Hosseini exploits this issue within his novel and it is one of his main themes. He wishes to reveal this conflict to the world and exploit all of the flaws behind such ethnic and religious persecution. Overall, the conflict between the Hazara and Pashtun people needs to be recognized. It continues to have a large negative impact on society in Afghanistan and surrounding areas, as well as the history of Islamic people. The residual effects of this conflict are still seen today through hate crimes and unjust treatment. It can serve as a reminder to others to disallow this type of unjust persecution and is valuable information for the world to know when considering the formation and culture of Afghanistan.

Works Cited “Ethnic Conflict—Afghanistan.” //Bookrags.com//. BookRags, n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. “Hazara people.” //Wikipedia.org//. Wikipedia, 29 Jan. 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2012.