4.3.2.2 History of Pashtun and Hazaras
The Kite Runner uses the difference of the social class between Pashtuns and Hazaras which exist extremely since long time ago as the important setting
social of the story which later influence Amir’s general description as the main character. The book Amir read, described how Pashtuns treat Hazaras as a
different social group in Kabul. Hazaras is a group of ethnic people live in Kabul who have a different
physical appearance than Pashtuns do. Pashtuns called Hazaras as a flat-nosed because the physical characteristic of Hazaras, who have mongoloid features, with
a pointed nose. Moreover, Pashtuns are described as a group of people who had
persecuted and oppressed the Hazaras for long time ago. They killed and driven Hazaras from their land. The basic reason of Hazaras’ oppression, beside the
difference of their ethnic , is the difference of their group as a Muslim. Pashtuns are a Sunni Muslim and Hazaras are Shi’a.
The dignity of the Hazaras toward Pashtun also described by the nick name Pashtuns give to Hazaras. Pashtuns always call Hazaras as “a mice-eating,
flat-nosed and load carrying donkeys”. The nick name “mice-eating and load carrying donkeys” Pashtuns give to Hazaras describe how Pashtuns see Hazaras
as a people who lack of dignity, since a real and honorable man will not eat mice and will not load a lot of things more than his capacity such a load carrying
donkeys. In addition the word of “donkey” that represent a dullness is used by Pashtuns to intimidate Hazaras as a stupid people.
The explanation above is based on the data number 5 below: They called him “flat-nosed” because of Ali and Hassan’s
characteristic Hazara Mongoloid features. ... In it, I read that my people, the Pashtuns had persecuted and
oppressed the Hazaras. ... The book said that my people had killed the Hazaras, driven them from their lands,
burned their homes, and sold their women. The book said part of the reason Pashtuns had oppressed the Hazaras was
that Pashtuns were Sunni Muslim, while Hazaras were Shi’a. ... It also said some things I did know, like the
people called Hazaras mice-eating, flat-nosed, load carrying donkeys.
Hosseini, 2003:8
4.3.2.3 Kite-Fighting Tournament as a Kabul’s custom
Kite-fighting tournament is a tournament which is held annually, every winter in Kabul. The activity which always be held in a particular time and
continually is known as a custom. Dealing with the explanation above, kite- fighting can be said as one of Kabul’s custom which especially followed by boy in
Kabul and its district. Kite-fighting tournament is one of Kabul boy’s important tournament in
Kabul and its district. The importance of the kite-fighting tournament can be seen by the sentence “the tournament was undeniably ... Kabul, fighting kites was a
little like going to war.”
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