Aimaq people

The Aimaq (Template:Langx),Template:Efn also known as the Chahar Aimaq,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> are a collection of Sunni and mostly Persian-speaking<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.<ref>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"</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">Template:Citation</ref> The Timuri, which is a separate tribe but is sometimes included among Aimaqs, which is known as Aimaq-e dīgar ("Other Aimaq").<ref name="Vogelsang2002">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name="Vogelsang">Template:Cite book</ref>

Etymology

The word "Aimaq" is derived from the Turkic-Mongolic word "Oymaq" that means "tribe" and "group of tribes".<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Origin

The Aimaqs claim different origins based on their tribal background. Some claim to be descended from the troops of Genghis Khan.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> The Taymani and Firozkohi claim descent from Pashtun tribes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" />

Religion

Aimaqs are largely Sunni Muslim except for the Jamshidi who are mainly Isma'ili Shia Muslims.<ref>"Afghanistan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2008.</ref>

Demographics

CIA map showing the territory of the settlement of ethnic groups and subgroups in Afghanistan (2005)

In 2021, the Aimaq made up 4% of Afghanistan's population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Hazaras
• Moghols

Further reading

• Macgregor, Central Asia, (Calcutta, 1871)
• Template:Citation

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