Ashkun (ISO 639-3 [ask]), which is locally known as Wamai, is a member of the Southern Nuristani language family spoken in the mountainous regions of Nuristan and Kunar provinces. In Nuristan province, Ashkun is spoken in Wama, Daub and Nurgaram districts and in Kunar province, it is spoken in the Chapa Dara
district. The language name, “Ashkun,” is taken from the largest ethnic group speaking this language, whereas the name “Wamai” is taken from the largest village in the area. Three dialects of Ashkun exist divided by geographic region: Ashuruviri, Gramsukraviri, and Suruviri.
According to a 2011 survey, there are 40,000
Ashkun speakers in Afghanistan. Most Ashkun speakers also speak one of the surrounding languages such as Pashto. Since the early 1900s, extensive research and analysis has been done describing the phonology and grammar of Ashkun as well as the rich cultural history of Ashkun speakers.