TheAimaq (Dari:ایماق,romanized: Aimāq),[b] also known as theChahar Aimaq,[6] are a collection ofSunni and mostlyPersian-speaking[7]nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.[8] They live mainly in the central and western highlands ofAfghanistan, especially inGhor andBadghis. Aimaqs were originally known aschahar ("four") Aymaqs:Jamshidi,Aimaq Hazara,Firozkohi, andTaymani.[9] TheTimuri, which is a separate tribe but is sometimes included among Aimaqs, which is known asAimaq-e dīgar ("Other Aimaq").[10]
The Aimaq speak several subdialects of theAimaq dialect of thePersian language, but some southern groups of Taymani, Firozkohi, and northeastern Timuri Aimaqs have adopted thePashto language.[11]
The Aimaqs claim different origins based on their tribal background. Some claim to be descended from the troops ofGenghis Khan.[12] TheTaymani andFirozkohi claim descent fromPashtun tribes.[13]
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.[12]
^The last census in Afghanistan was conducted in 1979, and was itself incomplete. Due to theongoing conflict in the country, no official census has been conducted since.[1]
^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"
^abSpuler, B. (2012-04-24),"Aymak",Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Brill, retrieved2023-07-14
^Janata, A."Aymāq".iranicaonline.org.Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved4 April 2021.A Kākaṛ Pashtun from Baluchistan, Tayman, formed a coalition in Ḡūr around 1650. The traditional chiefs of the northern Fīrūzkūhī, Zay Ḥākem, claim descent from Ačakzay Pashtun ancestors.
1 Central Asian (i.e.Turkmeni,Afghani andIranian)Turkmens, distinct from Levantine (i.e.Iraqi andSyrian) Turkmen/Turkoman minorities, who mostly adhere to an Ottoman-Turkish heritage and identity.2 In traditional areas of Turkish settlement (i.e. formerOttoman territories).
