Ahmadzai (Ghilji clan)

Not to be confused with Ahmadzai (Wazir clan).

The Ahmadzai (Pashto: احمدزی) is a Pashtun subtribe of the Ghilji confederacy. Ahmadzai Pashtun tribe is a Powandah tribe and are traditional nomadic merchant warriors. They are considered as the pioneers of trade among other Powandah merchant tribes. The tribe is more prosperous and are greeted with respect. Ahmadzai tribe is the largest tribe among Pashtuns. They follow Pashtunwali rigidly and are known for their Jirgahs. In history Ahmadzai are one of the strongest tribes and had control of power in Afghanistan. Ahmadzai tribe is known for their hospitality and strict code of conduct. There are some rules which no one can break and if they took responsibility they mean it. Currently, they are living in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have properties in Islamabad and Peshawar. Large number of Ahmadzai have fought against the USSR invasion of Afghanistan. Traditionally, the Ahmadzai ranged from Logar to Jalalabad, but mostly in Paktia, Paktika, and Khost. A large portion of the tribe live as Kochi nomads. Khels of Ghilzai Ahmadzai are Babakar khel, Isa Khel, Jabbarkhel, Maruf Khel, Musa Khel, Zandak Khel, Ya Khel. There are some other tribes within these sub-tribes. Mohammad Nabi the Afghan cricket team skipper and the former Afghan presidents Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (2014–2021) and Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai (1987–1992) belonged to the Ahmadzai tribe.

Notable Ahmadzai

• Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, former President of Afghanistan, 2014-2021
• Hashmat Ghani Ahmadzai, Grand Council Chieftain of the Kochi people
• Mirwais Ahmadzaï, France-based musician and record producer
• Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai, President of Afghanistan, 1987–1992
• Mohammad Sarwar Ahmedzai, politician, 2014 Afghan presidential candidate
• Abdul Haq, Afghan Mujahideen leader

Sources

• Anderson, Jon (1975). "Tribe and Community among the Ghilzai Pashtun. Preliminary Notes on Ethnographic Distribution and Variation in Eastern Afghanistan". Anthropos. 70 (3/4): 575–601. JSTOR 40458776.