'Kuchis' (Those who are on Moving) are a tribe of
Baluchi and
Pashto speaking
nomads in
Afghanistan. The Pashto-Speaking represent an estimated 'six million' of Afghanistan's 25 million people so they put out only 50% of
Pashtun population. They can also be called 'Koochee' or 'Koochi', depending on location. The group is singled out by the
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan as one of the largest vulnerable populations in the country.
Hashmat Ghani Ahmadzai is their ethnic leader. the Kuchis were one of the most important supporters of the ethno-fascistic and radical Talibans.
Provisions are written into the
Afghanistan Constitution (Article 14) aimed at improving the welfare of Kuchis, including provisions for housing, representation and education.
Kuchi means nomad in the Persian language and they are mostly of Afghan origin from the Durrani and Ghilzai tribes. They are not to be compared to the ancient people of Kushans who came from the Chinese province of Ghanzu and had a scythian origin.
See also:
Kochari
Trivia
Traditional Kuchi dress, particularly their colorful textiles and silver jewelry (often made of coins), has gained popularity among the
American Tribal Style belly dance community.