Template:Redirect Template:Infobox ethnic group
The Aimaq (Template:Langx),Template:Efn also known as the Chahar Aimaq,[1] are a collection of Sunni and mostly Persian-speaking[2] nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.[3] They live mainly in the central and western highlands of Afghanistan, especially in Ghor and Badghis. Aimaqs were originally known as chahar ("four") Aymaqs: Jamshidi, Aimaq Hazara, Firozkohi, and Taymani.[4] The Timuri, which is a separate tribe but is sometimes included among Aimaqs, which is known as Aimaq-e dīgar ("Other Aimaq").[5]
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.[6]
Etymology
The word "Aimaq" is derived from the Turkic-Mongolic word "Oymaq" that means "tribe" and "group of tribes".[2][4]
Origin
The Aimaqs claim different origins based on their tribal background. Some claim to be descended from the troops of Genghis Khan.[7] The Taymani and Firozkohi claim descent from Pashtun tribes.[8]
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.[7]
Religion
Aimaqs are largely Sunni Muslim except for the Jamshidi who are mainly Isma'ili Shia Muslims.[9]
Demographics
In 2021, the Aimaq made up 4% of Afghanistan's population.[10]
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ Aimaq | Encyclopedia.com. www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 AYMĀQ – Encyclopaedia Iranica. iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ↑ 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"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Aymak. Brill(2012-04-24).
- ↑ The Afghans{{#if:Vogelsang|, Vogelsang}. Wiley-Blackwell(2002). ISBN 9780631198413
- ↑ The Afghans{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Wiley-Blackwell(2002). ISBN 0631198415
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Human: The Definitive Visual Guide{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Dorling Kindersley(2004). ISBN 0-7566-0520-2
- ↑ Aymāq, Janata, A.. iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- ↑ "Afghanistan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2008.
- ↑ Afghanistan Population 2024 (Live). worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 2025-01-17.
Further reading
- Macgregor, Central Asia, (Calcutta, 1871)
- Aymak. Brill(2012-04-24).
External links
- Aimaq Man with Children, Pal-Kotal-I-Guk, Ghor Province Template:Webarchive
- Aimaq Nomad Camp Pal-Kotal-I-Guk Between Chakhcharan and Jam Afghanistan Template:Webarchive
Template:Commons category Template:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan Template:Iranian peoples Template:Mongol ethnic groups Template:Turkic peoples