Years of war and drought have increasingly forced Afghanistan's Kuchis, a nomadic tribal group, to abandon their traditional lifestyle and relocate to settled areas.
Afghanistan's Kuchi Nomads Forced To Settle

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Human rights organizations say Kuchis are the poorest and most marginalized group in Afghanistan.

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Over the centuries the Kuchi nomads, whose numbers are estimated from 300,000 to 3 million, have pursued a migratory life, herding caravans of sheep, goats, and camels around the country.

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The Kuchis migrated from warmer lowlands in winter to mountain pastures in summer. They played an important part in the economy by producing meat and fabrics used for making carpets.

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But many Kuchis have relocated to settled areas because of war, drought, and dwindling access to land. Only around one-third still lead nomadic lives.