Final answer:
Kinship, which represents both social and biological ties, unites Afghani people, especially against foreign invaders. Despite ethnic and linguistic diversity, Afghani kinship has historically facilitated alliances across different groups, reinforced by leadership from tribal and clan leaders.
Step-by-step explanation:
A form of kinship unites Afghani people against foreign invaders. This kinship is grounded in a shared sense of identity and solidarity often reinforced in the face of outside threats. This sense of unity and cohesion can surpass the multifarious ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversities that characterize Afghanistan. In times of foreign invasion or conflict, these connections foster alliances that prove vital for collective defence and social stability.
Despite the significant ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity among the Afghani people, including a significant number of different ethnic groups and languages such as Pashtu and Afghan Persian-Dari, kinship ties and a shared sense of belonging have historically enabled various groups to come together. These ties are strengthened by the tribal and clan leaders who play key roles in the local governance and political structure of the country, especially in rural areas where the influence of the central government in Kabul is limited. The concept of kinship has deep roots and can be seen as both a social and biological web of relationships, providing a foundation for uniting people across such divides.
Examples of this kinship in action include the alliances formed to resist foreign invaders, as well as the effort to cooperate on local governance issues, as illustrated in Figure 6.11, where tribal leaders in Afghanistan meet to discuss defusing local unrest. Even during elections, which are crucial for democracy, a sense of kinship and national identity is evoked among Afghans.