Kooja

Kooja is a term used in anthropology and sociology to describe a fundamental concept in the culture of Pashtun people of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The kooja is considered an important kinship unit in Pashtun society. It is a small family grouping consisting of a single male parent and his wife, along with their children and the sons' wives and children.

The kooja is a patrilineal descent group, meaning that it is based on the male line. Members of the kooja are bound together by ties of kinship and share common property and resources. The kooja is also a social and economic unit, with its members working together for the benefit of the group.

The kooja system is based on a system of fraternal polyandry, where the sons of a single man may share wives. This is in contrast to the more common system of fraternal polygyny, where sons may have multiple wives. The kooja system allows for a high degree of flexibility and cooperation among family members.

The kooja plays an important role in Pashtun culture and tradition. It is often seen as a key component of Pashtun identity and is closely tied to the honor and reputation of the family. The kooja system also influences the social and economic structures of Pashtun society, with its members often working together for common goals.

The study of kooja and its significance in Pashtun culture has been conducted by various anthropologists and sociologists. One of the key researchers on the subject is Fredrik Barth, who conducted extensive fieldwork on Pashtun society in the 1960s and 1970s.