Pashtun Tribes

Pashtun Tribes

The Pashtun people are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and the second largest in Pakistan. Pashtun, (also called ethnic Afghan) tribes are divided into four supertribal confederacies: the Arbanee (Sarabani), Betanee (Baitani), Gharghasht, and Karlanee (Krai, Kerlani).

Traditionally, according to folklore, all Pashtuns are said to have descended, at the time of the introduction of Islam, from the tribe of Qais Abdur Rashid, who died in 662 CE, and his three sons: Saraban, Batan and Ghurghusht. Karrān or Karlān was said to be the ancestor of the fourth branch. Estimates of the number of Pashtun tribes and clans range from about 350 to over 400.

• Achakzai (Assakzai)

• Alikozai

• Alizai

• Atmaanzai (Utmanzai)

• Babar

• Baamizai

• Barais (Barech)

• Bangash

• Daudzai

• Jalwaanai

• Gagyanai

• Gandapur

• Gharshin

• Harifal

• Hassan Zai

• Balailzai (Panni)

• Kaasi

• Khalil

• Kheshgai (Khaishagi)

• Lawoon

• Maako

• Malgoorai

• Mandan

• Mohammadzai (Zirak)

• Mullakhel (Mullakhail)

• Mohmand (Momand)

• Noorzai

• Niazi (Ghilzai)

• Oriazai

• Oormar

• Popalzai

• Raanizai

• Sadozai

• Saakzai

• Salarzai

• Swati

• sherani

• Shilmani

• Shinwari

• Tareen (Tarin)

• Tarkanri
• wardag

• Yousufzai

• Gamaryani

• Zeranai

Aramzai