ABSTRACT
The Hazaras are mostly Shi’a Muslims, and inhabit the heartlands of Afghanistan, surrounded by Sunni Muslims. ‘Culture’ in its wide ethnographic sense is used as: that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. The culture of the Hazaras has been deeply influenced by their neighbours. The Hazaras are led politically and religiously by Sayyed, Hazara, and Afghanistani Shi’a mullas, acting as leaders of the Shi’a community. The mosque and takiya khana are the main Shi’a religious centres of assembly where a range of religious activities from legal and marital matters to religious ceremonies and meetings are held. The relation between Hazaragi and the major languages that are influenced Hazaragi, such as Farsi, Mogholi and Turkish, and the extent of the influence of each of these on Hazaragi.
