The Kafir race occupy the most inaccessible portions of tho Indian Caucasus between the Bajawar, Kasligar river, and Barnhill, in the mountainous region of Northern Afghanistan, with Bajur and Kuner on the south. Kafiristan is bounded on tho west by the Belut Tagh, on the east it touches Chinese Turkestan and Little Tibet, to the south lies Afghanistan, and to the north Khokand or Farghana, where the population is Chaglitai Turk. They are independent, have defied all attempts at reduction, their enmity to Muhammadans has been inveterate and unceasing, and they give no quarter ; but of the Kafir clans, 18 in number, 8 have now become Muhammadans.
The Kafir are fond of honey, wine, and vinegar, music and dancing, the sexes dancing apart. They have no written character, and are said to speak a language resembling Pushtu. They wear a lock of hair on the right side of their heads. They are persecuted by all the surrounding nations, who seek to capture them as slaves. Their women do all the out-door work, and follow the plough. The ex posure of the dead adopted by the Siali Posh has con tributed probably to their being suspected to be a remnant of the reformer Zertusht, but in no account is the least mention of fire-worship amongst them. The marriage ceremonies are extremely simple, consisting merely of procuring two twigs or rods, of the respective height of the bride and bride groom, and tying them together. They are then presented to the couple, who preserve them with much care, so long as they find it agreeable or convenient to live together. If desirous to sepa rate, the twigs are broken and the marriage dis solved. The Siah Posh build their houses of wood, of several storeys in height, and much embellished with carving. These accounts are trustworthy, as we witness that the Safi of Kaziabad, in the hills west of Lughman, and who have been converted, actually reside in such dwellings. Their arms are bows and arrows, long knives and daggers.
Khaibar District—One of the most northerly of the passes beyond the British frontier leads through the Khaibar mountains. It is 18 miles in length, leading from Peshawur towards Kabul. As it approaches the northern outlet, it becomes more formidable. The pass is of an irregular form, but the average breadth is about 1500 paces ; the hills which border it may be about 700 feet high.
The Afridi, Shanwari, and Mohmand are the chief tribes in its vicinity. Nadir Shah paid a sum of money to secure his passage through it. The Daurani rulers of Kabul also acknowledged certain of the Afridi and Shanwari to be real paspmen, and paid five Afridi clans, Zakha Khel, Sipah, Kuki Khel, Malik Din Khel, and Kambar Khcl, also paid the Loargi and Sings Khel of the Shanwari. The British, likewise, from their first invasion of Afghanistan, have paid the passmed to keep the Khaibar clear.
The Shanwari inhabit a portion of the Khaibar mountains, some of the eastern valleys of the Safed Koh, and are also found on the borders of Baja war. They have five sections—Abdul &him, All Sher, Sangu, Sipai, and Manduzal. They have been continuously predatory since the British approached their borders. They are the most industrious carriers between Peshawar and tho other marts on the way to Kabul, using mules and camels for carriage. They are stalwart and hard-working, but inveterate thieves.
The Lowaghar Shanwari have three sections near the British territory, with 1050 fighting men.
Tho Tirai tribe live among the Shanwari; they speak a language differing from that of their neighbours.
The Afridi are a large and very important tribe. They inhabit the lower and easternmost spurs of the Safed Koh range, to the west and south of the Peshawur district, including the valley of the Barn and portions of those of Chura and Tim. To their east they are bounded by the Khatak of Akora and the Mohmand and Khalil divisions of the Peshawur district ; the Mohmand are on their north ; to their west are the Shanwari ; and the Orakzai and Ban gash are on their south. They claim descent from Khalid ibn Walid, a Jew who embraced Muham madanism, but take their name from Afrid, who, in the 10th century, at the time of the advance of Malunud, fled for refuge to the wilds of Sheratala.
Their clans or khe], and the strength in fighting men, are as under: Kuki, 3500 Zakha, 4000 Malik Din, . . . 3300 Aka, 1200 Kambar, . . . . 3500 Sipah, 1500 Kamr, 1500 Adam, 3500 These give their names to the divisions of their country. In the northern portion of their country is the Khaibar range, barren, rugged, and inhospit able to the last degree ; to the south is the water shed of the Bara river.