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Hazaras: Chinese descendants in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, has long been the focus of contention among the world's great powers. Its diverse ethnic composition and long history have made the land a vibrant mix of cultures and people. Of these diverse ethnic groups, the Pashtuns and Hazaras are two of the most prominent.
As the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, the Pashtuns have become one of the main inhabitants of the land due to their West Asian heritage and unique appearance. However, unlike the Pashtuns, the Hazaras have a more mysterious identity.
The Hazara ethnic group, which looks like Chinese, has long aroused curiosity. Is it true that they claim to be descendants of China? Historians have been discussing the origin of the Hazara people.
According to some scholars, the ancestors of the Hazara people may date back to the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. At that time, Genghis Khan's army invaded the region, and some of the Mongol soldiers stayed here and intermarried with the locals and had children. This may explain the similarities between the Hazaras and the Chinese in appearance.
In addition, there is a theory that the Hazaras are related to some peoples of ancient Central Asia. They may have migrated from some peoples of ancient Central Asia and retained some oriental blood. This also explains their similar facial features to the Chinese.
In addition to these claims, there is also an opinion that the Hazaras may have received cultural influences from the East over a long period of history, which may also be one of the reasons why they look similar to the Chinese.
Regardless of their origins, the Hazaras have always played an important role in the land as the third largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Their culture, religion and blending with the surrounding ethnic groups form part of Afghanistan's diverse culture.
Although the origins of the Hazara remain a mystery to this day, it is this mystery and diversity that adds more to Afghanistan's history and culture. Perhaps it is this diversity that has made Afghanistan an indispensable part of the world historical stage.
Hazara: Historical mysteries and diverse origins
The origins of the Hazaras are a subject of mystery, and they did not leave a document of their own national history, so scholars can only speculate about their history through some records from other countries.
According to the writings left behind by Babur, the founding king of the Mughal Empire in India, the Hazaras invaded his territory. Some interpret "Hazara" as "one thousand" in Persian, and speculate that the title is derived from the Mongol Empire's "Thousand Households" system, and therefore believe that Hazara is a descendant of the Mongols. Babur himself, however, believed that the Hazaras were not of Mongol descent, but rather a branch of the Turkmen people.
Today, the official language spoken by the Hazaras is Persian, but some Mongolian vocabulary is also preserved. In terms of ethnic customs, they use the zodiac signs, live by herding, live in houses similar to yurts, love to eat naan and dairy products, and hold wedding wrestling activities, which also seem to confirm the inextricable connection between them and the Mongols.
A Hazara underwent a DNA test that showed that 30 percent of his genes were Siberian, 19 percent Afghan, 15 percent Mongol, and 5 percent East Asian, conclusively proving their "mixed-race" status. According to the study of genes, there is a relatively well-founded theory that the Hazaras should have Mongolian genes in their paternal line, and at the same time integrate the blood of Turkic, Persian and other ethnic groups.
There are various theories about how the Hazaras got to Afghanistan, which is located in Central Asia. One theory is that it originated from the Mongol Empire, which spanned Europe and Asia. The Mongol cavalry led by Genghis Khan was invincible, attacking cities on the way to the west, and Afghanistan was still under the rule of the country of Khamazm at that time, and it was also in its heyday. Legend has it that a caravan from Mongolia was plundered by Afghan soldiers, and Genghis Khan sent troops to conquer it, completely destroying the kingdom of Khwarazm, leaving a group of Mongol soldiers to garrison the area of present-day Afghanistan. These Mongol soldiers lived for a long time and intermarried with the locals, gradually forming the Hazaras of today.
Another theory is that the origin of the Hazara people may be related to the Otsuki people. The Dayue clan originally lived in the area of Dunhuang, China, but were oppressed by the Xiongnu and moved west to settle near Afghanistan and founded the Kushan Empire. It is possible that the Hazaras are their descendants. There is also speculation that the Hazaras appeared much earlier than the Yuan Dynasty, even dating back to the Tang or Jin dynasties, a view supported by the account of the eminent monk Xuanzang in the Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty.
Either way, it shows that the Hazaras have a certain kinship with China. As for the descendants of which people, it is no longer possible to know. The diverse origins and mysterious history of the Hazaras have made them part of Afghanistan's diverse culture and leave endless room for historians to explore.
Hazaras: Struggles and Self-Identity
The status of the Hazaras in Afghanistan has been controversial and discriminatory. Although they are the third largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, they are ostracized by Sunnis because of their Shia beliefs and are looked at differently from Pashtuns.
This discrimination stems from religious, historical and cultural differences. The Pashtuns and Hazaras have different sects of Islam, which has led to long-standing contradictions and antagonisms. In addition, the Hazaras have distinctly different facial features from the Pashtuns, which are considered outliers in Afghan society and have even been excluded by the legal requirement that men must have beards.
This discrimination has historically turned into brutal persecution that has kept the Hazaras oppressed for a long time. The famous writer Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner vividly depicts the contradictions and estrangement between the Pashtuns and the Hazaras, showing this deep social division.
Even in modern times, although this ethnic persecution has been relatively reduced, the deep-seated national sentiment in the hearts of ordinary Afghans remains. In the U.S.-instigated war in Afghanistan, the Taliban composed of Pashtuns fought against U.S. forces, while the Hazaras did not show the same will to resist and lacked a sense of belonging to their country. This has led them to have different attitudes towards the U.S. invasion, and even to believe that it might reduce the oppression of the Pashtuns.
In this environment, the Hazaras try to find their own identity. Their emphasis on their Chinese heritage and, to some extent, their perception of themselves as of Chinese descent may also be an instinctive form of self-preservation. This self-identity is a way for them to find a sense of security and identity, as well as a response to the denial of their identity by the society around them.
Despite the difficulties and discrimination they face in Afghan society, the Hazaras are struggling to find their place in this multicultural country. Their stories also remind us of the importance of inclusion and understanding in a multicultural society, and that every ethnic group should be treated with equal rights and respect.
Hazaras: Hope for equality and peace
The Hazaras are inextricably linked to China, but their self-identification as Chinese descent is more of a cultural identity that has become more prominent as China has become stronger.
As a people who have been discriminated against for a long time, the Hazara longs for an equal and free living environment. As the relationship between China and Afghanistan continues to deepen, and the Taliban and China exchanges are also increasing, the Hazara people also hope to take advantage of this historical opportunity to escape the fate of discrimination in Afghanistan.
When Afghanistan can completely get out of the haze of war, and when the economy and society gradually develop, I believe that the old ethnic and religious contradictions will be eliminated accordingly. We can see that the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran is the best example of this. Such reconciliation will bring new hope and opportunities to Afghanistan.
Let us all wish that the Hazaras no longer have to chase that drifting kite, and that Afghanistan can move towards peace and beauty. May every nation in this land be able to find their own dignity and equality, and create a future of harmonious coexistence.