In one of the most inaccessible regions on earth live the poorest and most despised people of Afghanistan. Although the Hazara are the oldest inhabitants of the region, little is known about their origins. One theory is that they are the descendents of Genghis Khan and his Mongol soldiers. Their Asian features lend support to this idea, as well as the fact that 10 percent of their dialect uses Moghol words. During the Taliban's rule, every effort was made to destroy their cultural identity and whole villages were displaced or slaughtered.

Although no reliable census has ever been made, the Hazara are thought to be the second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, numbering anywhere from two to eight million. Most live in central Afghanistan, in a region known as the Hazarajat or Hazaristan. This land of high mountains, and narrow valleys lies under snow from October to April. The Hazarajat has no major towns and only one major north-south road. Although some primitive roads exist, they are obstructed by snow much of the year. The Hazara have a reputation for being talented, hardworking, determined, brave, and more recently, strongly nationalistic.


CULTURE

Arts

With their love of poetry, they have great esteem for those who can recite it. Hazaras are also skilled weavers. Many who fled to Pakistan during the Taliban's regime were able to support themselves by weaving carpets. They are also known for their embroidery, calligraphy and music, which is distinct from the other peoples of Afghanistan.


Language

The traditional language is Hazaragi, an unwritten dialect containing elements of Farsi, Moghol, Arabic, Urdu and Turkish. Hazara authors, poets, and scholars have always written in Farsi, Arabic or even European languages.


Food

In the Hazarajat, an average diet consists of rice, beans, bread and whatever people can grow or produce from their livestock, such as buttermilk, yogurt and cheese. They drink both black and green tea. When on the move, shepherds cook a thin, crispy bread known as nan-i-kak, baked on a stone placed near hot coals. In good years, their diet is barely adequate. Several bad years in a row can lead to severe malnutrition or starvation.


Dress

Traditional clothing for women includes brightly colored red and green dresses, large necklaces containing coins and headwear with elaborate beading. Those living in the mountainous region typically wear hand knitted, thick woollen stockings inside their boots, which may be lined with fur. Men dress in the typical baggy trousers worn by most Afghan men.


Housing

Village homes at lower elevations consist either of sun-dried bricks covered with mud and straw or simple mud huts. In the higher regions of heavy winter snows, Hazara build stone houses with log and branch roofs. However, portable yurt-like tents provide shelter during the short summer when they move their flocks to mountain pastures.


ECONOMY

Primarily herders and farmers, the Hazara grow wheat, barley and potatoes. A family might own a few cows, sheep, goats and one or two donkeys. What the people cannot grow themselves, such as tea and rice, must be traded for with peddlers or at the nearest town. This often means a journey of several days on foot, the most common method of transportation.

The Hazarajat supports no industry at present, and services and infrastructure are virtually non-existent. Most Hazara who move to the cities, live in slums and perform the most menial jobs. Their jobs as domestics, porters and laborers have become known as "Hazara occupations." Many, ashamed of their ethnic identity, try to hide it. Some however, have small businesses, manufacturing and selling butter, wood and charcoal. Still others work as artisans making pots and pans.


SOCIETY

Social organisation

Hazara society is organized by six or seven tribes, which are identified more by village location than kinship. Central to their society is Dig Shariki, the custom of the entire village participating in social occasions, such funeral and mourning rituals when one of its members dies. Weddings and religious festivals are celebrated together as well.

Village leadership is typically an inherited position filled by an older male known as the Mir. Historically the Mir has had significant power, controlling the economic and social relations with other villages.

Generosity is one of the most valued qualities in Hazara society. The more wealth a person has to give away, the more his reputation grows. However, anyone who gives generously to help kin or community gains respect.

As with other ethnic groups in Afghanistan, Hazaras practice arranged marriages, often to improve their economic or social status. Because the male pays for his bride, he can have an inexpensive wife by marrying someone from a lower class. Such marriages are not necessarily advantageous to the brides, however, as they are often little more than slaves in their new families. A man who cannot afford the bride price, may agree with another man to marry each other's sisters, often first cousins.

Before the Taliban came to power, Hazara women occupied a high place in society. Many attended University, eschewed the traditional, shroud like burkah, and worked as professors, teachers, doctors and medics. Unlike other Afghan females, they fought as soldiers next to Hazara men, served in the political sphere and attained a place in legends and folk tales.


RELIGIOUS LIFE

Most Hazara are Shia Muslims, which is considered a heretical sect by the Sunnis who comprise 85% of the population of Afghanistan. This has contributed to their persecution.

The Hazara, like other Muslims, have two types of religious leaders. The first, known as a sayyid, claims to have descended from the prophet Mohammed. Sayyids have an elite status, and collect a religious tax from the people. The other religious leaders, called sheikhs, perform marriages, help resolve disputes among villagers, and teach children to read the Koran.


Contact with Christianity

Due to the isolation of the Hazarajat, most Hazaras have not heard the gospel. Only a few Christian organizations are currently working to reach the Hazara. Some Christian radio programs have been broadcast over short-wave radio. The JESUS film has been translated and dubbed into Hazaragi. Because only five percent of the population is literate, audiocassettes have been made of Genesis, Acts, some of the epistles and parts of the gospels.


PLEASE PRAY:

• That the Hazara would all have a chance to hear the Good News.
• For more workers to the Hazara; people who can learn the language as well as help in practical ways in the areas of development and medical services.
• For the Christian organizations and people already working with this group.
• For protection of Hazaras who have already begun to follow Jesus. Embracing Christ can have life threatening consequences.
• For boldness among the few Hazara believers and for opportunities for them to share the Gospel with others.
• As the Hazara are primarily oral communicators, that the oral Scriptures would spread among them quickly.
• That the "veil covering their hearts" might be removed so that they can turn to Christ.