Kuchi Nomads

In Afghanistan, the term “Kuchi” broadly refers to all nomadic pastoralists whose lifestyle is characterized by highly fluid groups of approximately eleven households at a time, herding 450-600 sheep and goats along with some cattle, camels and horses and sharing the same the winter and summer grazing area.

Historically, Afghanistan has been a hub for migratory pastoral tribes, who were often warriors and conqueror, migrated across the neighboring regions such as Central Asia, Middle East and South Asia. The Aryan tribes were among the first migrants into Afghanistan from Central Asia whose lifestyle revolved around traditional pastoralism. Other dominant pastoral tribes who invaded and settled on Afghanistan’s land include Turkic and Mangol during 13th century. Over the centuries, serval socio-political conflicts shaped the region, led to the emergence of the Pashtun Kuchi tribe as a distinct ethnic group of pastoralists in 18th century. Today, Kuchi nomads assert that they are first inhabitants of Afghanistan, who have the nomads’ ancient roots in the region.