| Username |
Post |
| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 02:18 PM
I would appreciate any information on the following:
I came across a photograph in Time(?) where we can see distressed Afgani people in Quetta. This is whats been bothering me - Those people looked Nepalese! And the reason why I'm inquisitive is because my grandfather was in the THEN Indian Army and my father was born in Quetta which used to be part of Baluchistan (sp?)which I THINK is now part of Afganistan or Pakistan (I'm not sure).
I am wondering if any of the offsprings of these Gorkha Platoons stayed behind like they did in Burma henchforth producing Afgani Nepalese like Burmeli Nepalese!
Like I said, I am null in this subject so any light that can be shed on this matter would be highly appreciated!
ps if anyone is interested in that pic, I will hunt it and post it.
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| Gandhi |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 02:53 PM
Sunakhariji,
Your point seems very interesting and logical too. Since we saw the "Under the Veil" program broadcasted on CNN, my wife and myself were talking about how came the Afgan people and our face are similar? I am not always good at history, neither I knew anything about Baluchistan. Your point is worth taking. CNN showed the footage of women who seemed of non-muslim families only (They are hardly getting any muslim women unveiling their Burka). I am just adding my curiosity on top of yours. May be someone good at history can shed some light into this matter.
Gandhi
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 02:55 PM
Please do.
Pictures make this site even better. They have this telling effect. We have heard
about a few hundred remaining Hindus in Afganistan. But I think Afgans do look
like Nepali ,generally, don't they?
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 03:51 PM
Well, the people in the Northern tip of Pakistan look so much like Westerners (blue eyes, blonde hair {which could be from malnourishment})that its almost shocking. But the group I'm refering to looks so much like Magars and Rai Limbus that it has me thinking.
I found the image in the magazine and its on "page 33" of this week's time.
(I couldn't find it one online - I'm still hunting).
Biswo, the Afganis I've seen/met so far seem to resemble Kashmiris (fair eyes, fair complexion and tall) thats why I'm curious.
Any history buffs amidst us???
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| sg |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 03:59 PM
I think coz nepalis w/ hindu background maybe has origin around Iran.
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| Gandhi |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 05:15 PM
Any Anthropologist? Please help to clear this matter.
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| geography_dude |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 07:02 PM
I guess the people at Afganithan northern region adjoining Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tazikistan do look like mongolians. Also the people you saw could also be the offsprings of some Gorkha. After all they also feel lonely, sometimes ...
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| oohi_ashu |
Posted
on 11-Oct-01 09:20 PM
On a related note,
I have always been struck by how Nepali Thakuris -- at least the ones I have met - of and in Far Western Nepal in the districts of Baitadi, Darchula, Bajhang seem to look like sort of, well, Europeans.
Genetically, our country, thank God, is a salad of various phenotypes, even while
our class/caste and social structures make it look like a 'tiffin carrier' -- with
each group in each different section.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 12-Oct-01 08:53 AM
Has anyone here seen the pic I'm talking about? Page 33 of this week's time.
I apologize for not being able to post it here.
HELLOOO HISTORY BUFFS! Anthropologists.....
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| Well wisher |
Posted
on 12-Oct-01 09:58 AM
Yes Sunakhari,
Yeah , I subscribe to the Time magazine and when I saw the picture I too saw the familiarity. The picture heading is Across the border, in Hazaratown , a village near Quetta, PAkistan, newly arrived Afghan refugees wait for desperately needed food.
In Ladakh there are people who are Tibeto/Muslims and they look very mogolian/aryan. The whole belt is a mixture of Aryans and Mongolians; so perhaps that is the reason why they look like that.
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| VillageVoice |
Posted
on 13-Oct-01 11:11 AM
Afghans in New York
I have been meeting a lot of Afghans in New York City lately. The biggest concerntration is in Flushing, Queens. (The biggest in US is Little Kabul, somewhere in California).
Typically, they are involved in petty trade (as 99cent stores), restaurants, halal meat stores, and the likes.
Their looks seem to vary - maybe not as diverse as Nepali. But most of the people I have seen are - fair (compared to say most Neplis), tallish, black hair, narrowish eyes. If you are a cricket buff (which I am), then think of former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. He will pass for a goodlooking Afghan. I know he is a Pathan, but I am not well versed on ethnic mix in Afghanistan/Pakistan.
But then again, an Afghan lady (in my class) defies all these common traits. She's blond, shortish and has large eyes. No, she doesn't have any western blood as far as I know. She was born in Afghanistan.
Here on, I will definitely ask Afghans about the Nepali connection, and post the results.
(Which Time issue is this, Sunakhari - date, what's on cover?)
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| VillageVoice |
Posted
on 13-Oct-01 11:20 AM
According to The World Almanac 2001, the ethnic mix in Afghanistan - Pashtu 35 percent, Tajik 25 percent, Hazara 19, Uzbek 6. I just found out that Pathans *are* Pashtuns.
No wonder, Gen. Musharaf is in deep trouble in Pakistan.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 15-Oct-01 03:56 AM
Speaking of Afganis, what about all that sumptupous Afgani food that Kabul was famous for in the '60s and the '70s?
Have any of you tried that French-style Afgani Restaurant in Cambridge?
I'd been there twice, and the food -- not to mention the service -- was
excellently memorable both times.
I would recommend that restaurant to all of you, if you wish to try some Afgani food.
I forgot the name of the restaurant, but it (assuming it's still in existence!) is
right near Old Lechmere Building, as you walk toward Boston. (I guess any Boston/Cambridge restaurant guide will infom you about the location!)
Two years ago, all the waiters there were tall, fierce-looking Pathans -- and, thus,
added a dash of adventure and a dollop of intrigue to our dining experiences.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| GP |
Posted
on 15-Oct-01 05:32 AM
Sunkhari ji,
Have you ever met anyone from Kazhkistan? I have met them
in one international conference and talked to them too.
I was also suprised to see them, exactly the way you were
surprised. Kazhkistan, I guess is another neighbouring country
of Afganistan. So, I do not think they have recent genetic
link with Nepalis, but, long long back.
GP
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 15-Oct-01 08:48 AM
Villagevoice,
The picture is in the October 15,2001 Issue. The Main topic on it is Facing the Fury.
I'm afraid not everyone is reading this "I am wondering if any of the offsprings of these Gorkha Platoons stayed behind like they did in Burma henchforth producing Afgani Nepalese like Burmeli Nepalese! "
So my curiousity has still not died down. I hope to hear some more.
Thanks
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| me |
Posted
on 15-Oct-01 04:11 PM
Sunkari, I know exactly which picture you're referring to and those women
do look like "Asians." It's very likely that those women are of Chinese descent,
Han Chinese that is, because Afghanistan is composed of many different ethnic
groups including immigrants from Western China who look more caucasoid (sp?) in appearance than the mainland Chinese peopl.
And someone has already mentioned about the Kazaki people who also migrated to Afghanistan, and the indigenous people of Kazakstan do have mongoloid features.
i know i didn't answer your question and i'm sorry about that because i've no answer for it. However, i don't think the Afghanis look like neplese at all.
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 16-Oct-01 09:47 AM
EVERYONE,
Thank you very much for you inputs.
If you read my initial posting, there is a specific reason why I was curious. I am aware of the migration process of our ancestors in our part of the world. What I was wanting to know was - ARE THERE AFGHANISTANIS OF NEPALESE DESCENT?
I guess I won't find the answers here.
Anyway
Cheers
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| NK |
Posted
on 16-Oct-01 10:08 AM
Ashu, I think you are talking about Helmond.' If you are,s then I don't think their cuisine is French inspired. The food is great nevertheless.
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