Beginning Research in Afghanistan

Revision as of 20:59, 17 October 2020 by Psleavens (talk | contribs) (Broken links proj: added Afghan culture sites; tried to organize the rest of the page a bit better)

Afghan Culture

Pashtun Tribes

Tribal Groups

Main tribal groups (Wikipedia)

  • Bettani: Ghilji, Akakhel, Alikhel, Andar, Gulwal, Hotak, Ibrahimkhel, Ibrahimzai, Kharoti, Nasher, Nasar, Sulaimankhel, Ahmadzai, Jabbarkhel, Tarakai, Tokhi, Painda, Khel


  • Sarbani: Durrani, Achakzai, Alakozai, Alizai, Hanbhi, Badozai, Barakzai, Nawabi, Barech, Ishakzai, Kiral, Loni, Mohammadzai, Nurzai, Panjpai, Popalzai, Habibzai, Wazirzada, Zirak, Shinwari, Mullagori, Yusufzai, Abakhel, Adokhel, Akazai, Babuzai, Balarkhel, Chagharzai, Degankhel, Hassanikhel, Hassanzai, Kamalzai, Khwaja, Khel (Khwajgan), Madakhel, Mahabatkhel, Mandanr, Khadarzai, Niamatkhel, Ranizai, Tahirkheli, Utmankhel, Kamal, Khel, Babar, Gigyani, Ghoryakhel, Chamkani, Khalil, Mulagori, Kasi, Gumoriani, Kheshgi, Mohmand, Halimzai, Muhammadzai, Sherpao, Storyani, Tareen, Tarkani, Kakazai, Mamund, Salarzai, Wur
  • Allied tribes Awanzai, Ismailkhel, Sakzai, Sheikh Mohammadi


  • Gharghashti: Babai Dawi Gandapur Hafizkhel Ibrahimzai Nattuzai Yaqubzai Jadun Kakar Bazai Jalalzai Khudiadadzai Mirdadzai Ludin Mandokhel Musakhel Nasozai Panni Barozai Safi


  • Karlani: Afridi, Adamkhel, Kalakhel, Bangash, Baizais, Banuchi, Dawar, Dilazak, Khattak, Khogyani, Kharboni, Sherzad, Wazir, Mahsud, Bahlolzai, Shamankhel, Mangal, Muqbil, Orakzai, Mamozai, Zaimukhts, Ormur, Tirahi, Turi, Wardak, Wazir, Ahmadzai, Darweshkhel, Utmanzai, Zadran, Zazi



The electronic Afghan identity card (e-Tazkira) is a national identity document issued to all citizens of Afghanistan. It is proof of identity, residency and citizenship.

Primary Source: Your Family! Ask yourself the following questions: Who of the family still lives in Afghanistan? Whom do I know that still reads and writes Arabic? What family members are living in the US? You want to go to the website below with the US-Phone listings entering your surname http://switchboard.intelius.com. There are ways to find the addresses of family members What do I want/not want to express in a letter to family members that I am not close to anymore? INTERNATIONAL GENEALOGICAL INDEX (IGI) Please, don’t underestimate the IGI

Go to www.familysearch.org

Click on ‘Search’ -Click on ‘Search For Ancestors’

Type in only the Afghan surname

Click on ‘Exact Spelling’ and ‘Enter’

Check how many of those names listed are part of your ancestry. Should you find one or more of those listed might be of your own family glean and add the information to your data/records.