Safi (tribe)

Sāpī (Pashto: ساپی Sāpai; plur. ساپي Sāpī) is a Pashtun tribe situated mostly in Afghanistan with some in Pakistan. Later on many former Pashayi speakers adopted the ethnonym Safi.^[1]

The exact population number of this clan is not known; however, it is estimated to be around 2.5 million both in Afghanistan and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Sapis have played an important role in Afghan society, especially in the Afghan Government; they were known to be opposed to the Afghan monarchy. The Sapis have also had an important role in Pakistan. Currently, Safis serve in key posts in different public sector institutions. On 10 September 2007, Sapi elders in the Mohmand Agency played a key part in reaching an agreement with TTP fighters to stop attacks on the Pakistani military and security forces, and on institutions such as schools and hospitals in the Mohmand Agency.^[2] The Safis, because of their association with the Mohmand, are also called Sapi Mohmands but in fact are not Mohmand in origin.

According to a work published by Jeffrey H.P Evans-von Krbek at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Durham in 1977, the ancestry of the Sapi reaches back to the nomadic Parni. It suggested by Raverty is that the Safi, are a clan of the Parni (also referred to as Panri). These Parnis are according to Caroe Scythian nomads who were allied to the Saka. As the Saka were the tribe which ca. 97 B.C. overran Bactria and Gandhara it is possible that the Parnis moved south with them. ^[3]

Currently, the Sapi tribe is well known for its resistance to the Taliban regime, and many fierce clashes have broken out between the two. Some Sapi tribesmen also live in Zabul Province close to the Durand line led byled by Haji Khudai-Dad Khan Sapi, Haji Qalam Khan Sapi, Haji Esmatullah Khan Sapi, Haji Mohammad Juma Khan Sapi, Dr Abdul Wali Sapi, Mohammad Wali Sapi and Abdullah Sapi in Quetta District, with two sub clans: the Meerzai; and the Kamalzai. Sapi also live in Zobh District In Baluchistan; they are together under Sapi Ithad and their office is located at Mizan Chock in Mizan Plaza quetta. In Sibi, Sapi have the majority of water, 8 Pao of water in Nari River.^[4]

• Amanul Mulk, leader of the tribal revolts under rebel King Salemai
• Amanat Lewana, rebel Prime Minister of Afghanistan's Eastern Provinces
• Jamil al-Rahman, Afghan Salafist and Amir of the Islamic Emirate of Kunar
• Amanullah Sailaab Sapi, Afghan poet and writer
• Turabaz Khan, Royal Afghan Army General and served as Kabul’s Police Commander
• Mohammed Asif Safi, Afghan army serviceman during the Monarchy and Republic