Tajiks

-3,5 million;
- second largest group after the Pashtuns;
- speak persian;
-live in the north east and west;
- are sunni muslims;
- educated elite;
- whealthy;
- significant political influence in Ministries and public services;
- sedentary people;
- principle inhabitants of Tajikistan;
- slender, light skinned, with aquiline noses and black hair (ocasionally red or blond);
- concentrations in Afghanistan:
plains-dwelling tajiks (herat province and indian border)
town-dwelling traders (around Kabul)
skilled artisans, prosperous farmers (in the mountains)

( Land owners emergede as village leaders)

- the poorest live in the mountains and are farmers.