Asian Time Zone

With the peoples we know little about Afghanistan. We do not even know whether the Tajiks of the east, the Hindkis of the west, or the Kafirs of the mountainous region are the original inhabitants. From the side of Persia, Islam, and from that of India, the teachings of Bramah have invaded it, and this has produced a curious mixture of manners and customs. The Afghani tribe, which predominates in Kabul, consists of a number of small tribes whose social condition rests on patriarchal-democratic foundations. At the municipalities, land days are held for all free men. These appoint deputies to the feuds of their district (chail) and these again deputies to the feuds of the whole tribe (ulus). The execution of the decisions is entrusted to a committee or to a considerable one. In case of war or planned raids, a chief or a dictator is appointed. Some tribes have a more aristocratic or monarchical form of government. They submit to a khan, who is always chosen from a certain gender. Abuse of authority is prevented by the people’s love for freedom. The Quran is regarded as a religious and civil code. In addition, there is a collection of ancient laws, which in many respects correspond to the Germanic of the 6th and 7th centuries. They deal chiefly with money with which the infliction of wounds must be reconciled. If these precepts are not observed, feuds erupt, which often last a long time and cost a lot of blood. The people possess in their warlike spirit a great measure of dispassion, activity, and common sense. The slaves are treated very well there, but truthfulness is by no means one of the qualities of the Afghans. See paradisdachat for Afghanistan public policy.