Pushtuns

Pushtuns, ethnic group comprising about one half the population of Afghanistan and one fifth the population of Pakistan. They are also called Pathans, Pashtuns, Pakhtuns, and Pukhtuns. Their language, called Pashto, Pushtu, or Pukhtu, is related to Persian. Most Pushtuns live as farmers or nomadic herders and follow Islam. The group is divided into about 40 tribes. Each consists of groups of extended families and is governed by a democratic council. Ancestors of the Pushtuns can be traced to 4000 B.C. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979–89), guerrilla bands of Pushtuns resisted the Soviets.