Tokhi

Tokhi is a Pashtun tribal designation used to identify a distinct lineage within the broader Pashtun ethnic group. It is commonly treated as a clan or sub-tribe within the Ghilji (Khilji) confederation, one of the major tribal groupings among the Pashtuns. The name Tokhi is also encountered as a surname in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Geographically, Tokhi communities are found across Afghanistan and Pakistan, with historical presence in southern and eastern Afghanistan and in border regions of Pakistan. Migration and intermarriage have created kin networks extending into neighboring areas, as is common among Pashtun tribes.

Society and culture in Tokhi communities center on traditional Pashtun social structures. They typically organize around kinship ties and tribal councils, or jirgas, to resolve local matters. The Tokhi share language, customs, and codes of conduct with other Pashtun groups, including a strong emphasis on hospitality, honor, and customary dispute resolution. Economic activities traditionally include agriculture, pastoralism, and cross-border trade, adapted to local geography.

History within the Tokhi, as with many Pashtun sub-tribes, reflects the wider dynamics of the region. As a component of the Ghilji confederation, Tokhi lineage has participated in historical political and military developments of Afghanistan and the surrounding areas, often aligning with or resisting rulers and external powers in response to shifting power balances.

Notable individuals bearing the Tokhi name have appeared in regional politics and culture, though comprehensive biographical entries depend on reliable historical records. The Tokhi designation continues to be used in ethnographic descriptions and in identifying people of Pashtun heritage.