Safi (tribe)

Sāpī (Pashto: ساپی Sāpai; plur. ساپي Sāpī) is a Pashto and Pashayi-speaking Dardic tribe from Afghanistan and Pakistan.^[1][2][3]

The exact population number of this clan is not known; however, it is estimated to be around 2.5 million both in Afghanistan and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Sapis have played an important role in Afghan society, especially in the Afghan Government; they were known to be opposed to the Afghan monarchy. The Sapis have also had an important role in Pakistan. Currently, Safis serve in key posts in different public sector institutions. On 10 September 2007, Sapi elders in the Mohmand Agency played a key part in reaching an agreement with TTP fighters to stop attacks on the Pakistani military and security forces, and on institutions such as schools and hospitals in the Mohmand Agency.^[4] The Safis, because of their association with the Mohmand, are also called Sapi Mohmands but in fact are not Mohmand in origin.

According to a work published by Jeffrey H.P Evans-von Krbek at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Durham in 1977, the ancestry of the Sapi reaches back to the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Gandhara, and they are related to the neighboring Nuristanis.^[5]

Currently, the Sapi tribe is well known for its resistance to the Taliban regime, and many fierce clashes have broken out between the two. Some Sapi tribesmen also live in Zabul Province close to the Durand line led byled by Haji Khudai-Dad Khan Sapi, Haji Qalam Khan Sapi, Haji Esmatullah Khan Sapi, Haji Mohammad Juma Khan Sapi, Dr Abdul Wali Sapi, Mohammad Wali Sapi and Abdullah Sapi in Quetta District, with two sub clans: the Meerzai; and the Kamalzai. Sapi also live in Zobh District In Baluchistan; they are together under Sapi Ithad and their office is located at Mizan Chock in Mizan Plaza quetta. In Sibi, Sapi have the majority of water, 8 Pao of water in Nari River.^[6]

People

• Amanul Mulk, leader of the tribal revolts under rebel King Salemai
• Amanat Lewana, rebel Prime Minister of Afghanistan's Eastern Provinces
• Jamil al-Rahman, Afghan Salafist and Amir of the Islamic Emirate of Kunar
• Amanullah Sailaab Sapi, Afghan poet and writer
• Turabaz Khan, Royal Afghan Army General and served as Kabul’s Police Commander
• Mohammed Asif Safi, Afghan army serviceman during the Monarchy and Republic

References

1. Allan, Nigel J. R. (1994). "Dardestān". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica, Volume VII/1: Dārā(b)–Dastūr al-Afāżel. London and New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp. 26–31. ISBN 978-1-56859-019-6.
2. Minahan, James B. (2014-02-10). Ethnic Groups of North, East, and Central Asia: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 217. ISBN 978-1-61069-018-8.
3. West, Barbara A. (2010-05-19). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania. Infobase Publishing. p. 646. ISBN 978-1-4381-1913-7.
4. "Safi tribe, Taliban reach peace agreement". DAWN.COM. 10 September 2007.
5. Evans-Von Krbek, Jeffrey Hewitt Pollitt (1977). The Social Structure and Organization of a Pakhto Speaking Community in Afghanistan (Thesis). Department of Anthropology, University of Durham. pp. 20–.
6. Wilson, Jamie (19 January 2002). "Jail for Afghans in Stansted hijack". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.