Sarbani
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (several millions) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Afghanistan, Pakistan | |
| Languages | |
| Pashto, Urdu, Dari | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Pashtun tribes, other Iranian peoples |
Sarbaṇī (Pashto: سربڼي) are the largest tribal group of Pashtuns. They are situated in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Sarbani include many Pashtun tribes, among whom the most numerous are the Tareen, Durrani historically Abdali, Barakzai, Alakozai, Achakzai, Gigyani, Yusufzai, Momand, Khalil, Ghoryakhel, Shinwari, Kasi, and Muhammadzai (Hashtnagar). According to the Pashtun legend of origins, the members of the Sarbani group all descend from Sarban, who was the first son of the legendary founding father of the Pashtun people, Qais Abdur Rashid.
The name Sarbani is similar or identical to the name of an historical tribe on Caucasus that was also named Sarbani (the Caucasian tribe was recorded under this name in the 10th century). Pashtuns are believed to be of Scythian descent and their language is classified as East Scythian (Sarmatian language is also grouped within Scythian branch).
The origin of the Sarbani, might be connected with Hephthalites, who had a large nomadic confederation that included present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan in the 5th-6th centuries AD, as well as with Scythians, who are known to have settled where most of Pashtuns live today.
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Wikipedia