Are blood feuds on the way out? A special report from Khost province

Blood feuds have long been a feature of Afghan society, claiming countless lives and perpetuating conflict that sometimes spans generations. In recent decades, however, this has shifted, particularly as a young Afghans have begun to question tribal traditions. Original research by AAN’s Sharif Akram in Khost province suggests that this shift in social norms springs from greater access to education and increased exposure to other cultures and values. His report is read by Rachel Reid. 

Sharif Akram’s report, Breaking the Cycle of Centuries-old Violence: A decline in blood feuds in Khost province? was published in August 2025. The report refers to another AAN paper by Lutz Rzehak, Doing Pashto, published in 2011. In October 2025 Sharif Akram published another fascinating paper, The Turbaned Traders: The Taliban take over the urban economy. 

 Photo: Chief of the Balkhel tribe. A long-standing feud over land and water has persisted between the Balkhel and the Sabari sub-tribes that inhabit eastern Khost and Paktia provinces for decades. Photo: Wakil Kosher/AFP, 22 April 2024

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