Afridi (Pashtun)

Afridi (Pashto: اپريدي, Urdu: آفریدی), classically called the Abaörteans (IPA2|ˌæbiɔrˈtiːənz; _la. Abaortae), is the name of a Pashtun (pathan) tribe. The Afridis inhabit about 1,000 square miles (3,000 km²) of rough hilly area in the eastern Safed Koh range, west of the Peshawar Valley and east of Torkham, and Maidan in Tirah, which can be accessed by the Kajurhi plains and the valleys of Bara and Churah. Some Afridi clans also inhabit India, most noted are the Kuki Khel of Jammu and Kashmir and in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The tribe contains about 415,000 people.

History

The famous historian Herodotus mentions a country bordering on the banks of the Indus occupied by a people called the "Pactyans" who were divided into fourFact|date=August 2008 nations, one which was the Aparthea, or Aparutai, identified with the modern Afridis. They lay claim to an inaccessible upland area of refuge, the Tirah and its central place, Maidan and at BaghFact|date=August 2008. As a result, they have literally have been able to force every passing conqueror to pay tollFact|date=August 2008 tax for use or passage through the Khyber Pass.

Some writersWho|date=August 2008 think that some tribes like the Afridis and Khattaks are indigenous, considering, for instance, that the Afridis inhabited this terrain even during pre-historic times, which is before the recorded movement of other notable Pashtun tribes to their present abodesFact|date=August 2008. Olaf Caroe and Aurel Stein are reported to have suggested that the Afridis may be the original inhabitants of the Gandhara area rather than an integral part of the great clans allegedly descended from the tribes of Israel. Thus, the Afridi tribe is one of the infamous Karlanri tribes, who have a formidable reputation as warriors.

Some historiansWho|date=August 2008 think that Afridis are the direct descendants of the Greeks. During the time of Alexander The Great, some of his troops made this terrain their permanent abode. The AlbaniansOr|date=August 2008 amongst his troops constitute a considerable number in the Pashtun population.

According to Pashtun folklore, the Afridi tribe can trace its origin back to the eponymous ancestor of all Pashtuns, Qais Abdur Rashid, through his youngest son, Karlan. SomeWho|date=August 2008 claim that Afridis are in fact one of the lost tribes (Ephraim) of the ancient Israelites.

Clans

All of the Afridi clans have their own areas in the Tirah, and most of them extend down into the Khyber Pass over which they have always exercised the right of toll. The Malikdin Khel live in the center of the Tirah and hold Bagh, the traditional meeting place of Afridi "jirgas" or assemblies. The Aka Khel are scattered in the hills south of Jamrud. All of this area is included in the Khyber Agency. The Adam Khel live in the hills between Peshawar and Kohat. Their preserve is the Kohat Pass. In which several of the most important Afridi gun factories are located. The Adam khel Afridis are further divided into seven clans.

Religion

Most Afridis follow the religion of Islam. The Afridis are said to have been initially converted to Islam during the time of Mahmud of Ghazni, and then during the time of Muhammad of Ghor. The Afridis are found to throng the Masjids at the time of prayers. A pleasant surprise comes, at the time of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi (the Holy Prophet's birthday), when the festival is held with unusual fervour and religious zeal, which is a spectacular sight. They are also observed to subscribe to many religious ritualsSpecify|date=August 2008.

Description

Olaf Caroe refers to their Grecian features, standing as a model of the Greek god Apollo, and the elderly lot resembling Zeuspage number. To Spain they convey an impression of an assembly of Old Testament Prophets because of their light skinFact|date=August 2008, Hebraic cast of featuresVerify source|date=August 2008 and beards.

Cuisine

Meat is an important part of their diet which they eat in the form of döner kabab (minced meat fried in oil in a special way), lamb curry (lamb is the favourite meat of Afridis in contrast with other groups in Pakistan who mostly like goat), chicken curry, goat curry and much more. The hotels in Peshawar Namak Mandi Bazar represent the traditional food of Afridis, especially Lamb Karahi. In vegetable cuisine "bindi" (okra), "rajma" (kidney beans), "dal" (lentils) and "sag" (spinach) are notable. Their desserts include "kheer" (rice pudding), "meenchai" (sugared noodles). They drink a lot of "chai" (green tea).

Famous Afridis

* * "Malik Haji Gul Afridi" - Former Senator of Pakistan, born at Village Sharifkhel in Dara Adam Khel in the Tribal Areas in 1946. After having his early education from the local school and qualifying the Secondary School Certificate Examination from Government High School Dara Adam Khel, Haji Gul Afridi opted for business in real estate management. He is looking after exports of the building construction material, and enjoys a good reputation in his area. He is very popular among the people of his area and takes special interest in the welfare of the not-so-fortunate segments of the society.He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in March, 1994 for a six year term. He is a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Defence, Defence Production and Aviation, Culture, Sports, Tourism, Women Development and Youth Affairs and Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis.

"Malik Baz Gul Afridi" - Former MNA of Pakistan elected in 1997 for the Tribal area of KOHAT holds a very popular personality in the region of darra adam khel, a widely known and respected person.

"Malik Majeed Gul Afridi" and "Malik Islam Gul Afridi" - Younger brothers of Malik Haji Gul and Baz Gul Afridi, also holds a well known personalities in the tribal area of darra adam khel.The Gul Haji Family owns a widely spread business around many cities of Paksitan. As the owners of Hotels, Companies, Guest houses, Plaza's and many many others, the four Brothers holds a strong financial capital.

*Nawab Zaman Khan Afridi Kuki Khel Sherkhan Khel, awarded the Khan Bahadur Laqab posthumously. He had three sons Ajab Khan, Muhammad Ali Khan and Khaleefa Khan (original name Saifullah). Muhammad Ali Khan remained a member of the legislative assembly while Khaleefa Khan was the member of Majlis-e-Shura from 1983-84. The White Fort of Tirah in Khaist/Dwa Toey still witness the glory and command of his leadership towards his great tribe of Afridis. He and his family commanded the tribe for almost a century.
*Ajab Khan Afridi, a brave Pashtun who fought with the British soldiers, kidnapped the daughter of the then British Army Chief in the region and handed her back to them himself. She was kept in respect and hospitality and when she went back to her family and army, she used to tell stories of the respect and hospitality that was given to her by the family of Ajab Khan Afridi.
*Khatir Afridi, a prominent poet who wrote over 40,000 poems in his only four years of writing poetry. He died very young at the age of 32. Only one of his sons is still alive, and this man has collected all his poems and made a book out of them, a book which has achieved a good market value among speakers of Pashto.
*Nawabzada Malik Inayat Khan Afridi, Grandson of Nawab Zaman Khan Afridi, he is an Ex-Senator and a promiment leader of the KukiKhel Tribe. He was given the title of "fakhr-e-kabail" (Pride of tribals) by President General Parvez Musharaf. He will be remembered for his untiring and selfless efforts to keep all the afridi tribes united.
*Shahid Afridi, Pakistani cricketer. Holds world record for fastest century (off only 37 balls).
*Malik Nader Khan Afridi Zakka Khel, A leader in the Khyber Agency.
*Barrister Salman Hamid Afridi, a prominent lawyer and philanthropist.
*Dr. Munawar Khan Afridi, Chairman & President of WHO.
*Retd Lt Gen K K Afridi, Ex-Governor of Balochistan (Pakistan).
*Masood Khan Afridi, Deputy Inspector, General of Police .
*Rehmat Shah Afridi, owner and chief editor of the Frontier Post.
*Abdul Latif Afridi, famous lawyer and politician (ex-member of parliament) and current president of Peshawar Bar Association
*Peer Sher Bahadur Khan Afridi Bar Qambarkhel, a respected figure in the Khyber Agency.
*Dr. Ashna Gul Afridi (Shalubar Qamber Khel), A Famous Physician of Bara Khyber Agency.
*Rehmat Gul Afridi (Malikdin Khel), Chief of Pakistan Kyo Ko Shin Karate.
*Farhad Shabab Afridi (Malikdin Khel), A Famous politician of Khyber Agency as well as President of Pakistan Peoples Party Parlimenterian (PPPP) Khyber Agency.
* Saif Ur Rehman (Malik Din Khel),A Famous Politician,Social Worker,Ex general seceratery of JUI Khyber Agency

See also

*Pashtun tribes
*Pashtunistan
*Pashtun Mafia
*Bangash

Hidayatullah Khan Afridi (Adam Khel)

. Former minister Jails in NWFP provincial assembly. Malik Inayat Ullah Khan Afridi (Adam Khel). A famous tribal elder of Adam khel.

References

*"Asia Times", July 9 2002

External links

* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/index.isc?Article=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/unicode/v1f6/v1f6a013.html Encyclopedia Iranica: AFRĪDĪ]