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Pashtun

  (pŭsh'tūn) pronunciation
n.

A member of the predominant ethnic group of Afghanistan and parts of western Pakistan.

[Pashto Pəštūn. See Pathan.]


 
 
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Pashtun

Any member of a Pashto-speaking people of southeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. The Pashtun, who number about 7.5 million in Afghanistan and 14 million in Pakistan, constitute the majority of the population of Afghanistan. Their origins are unclear: Pashtun tradition asserts that they are descended from Afghana, grandson of King Saul of Israel, but most scholars believe that they arose from an intermingling of ancient Aryans from the north or west with subsequent invaders. Each Pashtun tribe is divided into clans, subclans, and patriarchal families. Disputes among the Pashtun over property, women, and personal injury often result in blood feuds between families and whole clans. Most tribal people are sedentary farmers; some are migratory herders and caravaners. Large numbers of the Pashtun have always been attracted to military service.

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more

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