The Aimaq, Aimaq Persians[Tom Lansford - A bitter harvest: US foreign policy and Afghanistan 2003 Page 25 "The term Aimaq means "tribe" but the Aimaq people actually include several different ethnic groups. The classification has come to be used for a variety of nonaligned nomadic tribes"] They live mainly in the central and western highlands of Afghanistan, especially in Ghor Province and Badghis Province. Aimaqs were originally known as chahar ("four") Aymaqs: Jamshidi, Aimaq Hazara, Firozkohi, and Taymani.
The Aimaq speak several subdialects of the Aimaq dialect of the Persian language, but some southern groups of Taymani, Firozkohi, and northeastern Timuri Aimaqs have adopted the Pashto language.
Etymology
The word "Aimaq" is derived from the
Turkic languages-Mongolic word "Oymaq" that means "tribe" and "group of tribes".
Origin
The Aimaqs claim different origins based on their tribal background. Some claim to be descended from the troops of
Genghis Khan.
The Taymani and
Firozkohi claim descent from
Pashtuns tribes.
Culture and society
The Aimaq are largely nomadic to semi-nomadic goat and sheep herders. They also trade with villages and farmers during migrations for pastures for their livestock. The material culture and foodstuffs of the Aimaq include skins, carpets, milk, dairy products and more. They trade these products to settled peoples in return for vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts, and other types of foods and goods.
Religion
Aimaqs are largely
Sunni Muslim except for the Jamshidi who are mainly Isma'ili Shia Muslims.
["Afghanistan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2008.]
Demographics
In 2021, the Aimaq made up 4% of Afghanistan's population.
See also
Notes
Further reading
-
Macgregor, Central Asia, (Calcutta, 1871)
External links
