The Aimaq (Dari: ایماق, romanized: Aimāq), also known as the Chahar Aimaq, are a collection of Sunni and mostly Persian-speaking nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes. They live mainly in the central and western highlands of Afghanistan, especially in Ghor and Badghis. Aimaqs were originally known as chahar ("four") Aymaqs: Jamshidi, Aimaq Hazara, Firozkohi, and Taymani. The Timuri, which is a separate tribe but is sometimes included among Aimaqs, which is known as Aimaq-e dīgar ("Other Aimaq").
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1,593,418 (2021) 4% of the population of Afghanistan | |
| Languages | |
| Aimaq dialect of Persian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Hazaras, Tajiks |
The Aimaq speak several subdialects of the Aimaq dialect of the Persian language, but some southern groups of Taymani, Firozkohi, and northeastern Timuri Aimaqs have adopted the Pashto language.
Etymology
The word "Aimaq" is derived from the Turkic-Mongolic word "Oymaq" that means "tribe" and "group of tribes".
Origin
The Aimaqs claim different origins based on their tribal background. Some claim to be descended from the troops of Genghis Khan. The Taymani and Firozkohi claim descent from Pashtun tribes.
Culture and society
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.
Religion
Aimaqs are largely Sunni Muslim except for the Jamshidi who are mainly Isma'ili Shia Muslims.
Demographics
In 2021, the Aimaq made up 4% of Afghanistan's population.
See also
- Hazaras
- Moghols
Notes
- The last census in Afghanistan was conducted in 1979, and was itself incomplete. Due to the ongoing conflict in the country, no official census has been conducted since.
- Also transliterated as Aymaq, Aimagh, Aimak, and Aymak.
Further reading
- Macgregor, Central Asia, (Calcutta, 1871)
- Spuler, B. (2012-04-24), "Aymak", Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Brill
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