[Original caption] An Afridi Girl. The Afridis are an Afghan or Pathan people, numbering about 300,000, inhabiting the mountainous region south of the Hindu-Kush. They consist of a number of separate clans, often at feud with each other. In these districts female children are in a minority, and when a girl is in the matrimonial market - after the native custom - they frequently fetch good prices. The Afridi children are very shy and fearful of sitting for their portrait. [end] |