Pashtun Culture

Pashtun culture ( ps, پښتون کلتور ) is based on Pashtunwali, as well as speaking of the Pashto language and wearing Pashtun dress. Culture is native to the native Pashtun belt of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pashtunwali and Islam are the two main factors which make the baseline for the social behavior in Pashtun society. They are very strict, conservative regarding preservation of their culture and are highly traditional people.

Social code of honour: Pashtunwali

Being the worlds largest tribal society, Pashtun Society is guarded by a code of common rules, customs and subconscious social behavior which is known collectively as Pashtunwali. The code is honour based and promotes Courage, Self respect, Independence, Leadership, Justice and Hospitality

* Honour (Nang): The highest personal value of a Pashtun and the central point of their society. It is the preservation of ones self honour and families honour they will go great length to maintain it. Temporary loss in ones honour will trigger an automatic requirement for revenge. It is also be defending the weak, dependant people around him.
* Hospitality (Melmastiya): One of the primary obligations of a Pashtun. He is required by his sense of honour, to offer hospitality to all guests without distinction of race, religion, nation, status and they will go great length to show it. This can be something simple as offering food, tea, comfort to his guests to protecting his guests from their enemy.
* Bravery (Turah): A Pashtun must defend his land, properties, and family from incursions as well. He must stand bravely against tyranny and be able to defend the honour of his name.
* Justice and Revenge (Badal): To seek revenge and justice. To correct any wrongdoings, revenge against closest male relative can sometimes result in blood feuds that last generations. The act of revenge must be in proportion to the insult received.
* Trust in God (Isteqamat): Complete trust and faith in god.
* Asylum (Nanwatey); When a weaker man surrenders to his enemy, in exchange for mercy. It is the ultimate dishonour but mandatory under the code for the enemy to give mercy to the person asking. This allows for peace to flourish.
* Loyalty (Wafa): Loyalty is a must, disloyalty would be a matter of shame for himself and his family. Loyalty is owed to his family, subtribe, tribe, than the Pashtun nation as a whole.

Traditional dress and clothing

Pashtuns are very traditional in their dress code; both men and women like to wear modest clothing; They prefer their traditional clothes, which give them an identity as well as a sense of modesty, Although they have a set of common clothing. Style differs from regions to region and tribe to tribe.

Men Clothing

The men wear a 3-piece set of clothing; a loose baggy outfit called " Khat Partoog" in Pashto. It consist of a loose comfortable thigh length trousers which is belted around the waist and a loose sleeved shirt worn on top - a sleeveless waist coat is also worn on top of the outfit to complete it. This type of clothing is practical with the mountain environment they live in. The dress is similar to the Salwaar Kameez and throughout parts of South Asia referred to as a " Pathan suit". The colours worn are on the dark spectrum. Additionally depending on the region, they wear a traditional thick woolen Shawl which acts a blanket and worn around the upper body, covering them. The Shawl usually comes in a brown and earthly colour and is very practical for colder environments.

Pakol hat and the traditional tribal turbans are also adorned and worn in day to day life.

Headwear and turbans

One of the trademark and historical headwear of Pashtuns is an adorned turban about 7 metres long wrapped tightly around a hat with one of its ends loose over the shoulders, a sure sign and recognition of a Pashtun, the turban itself has been a symbol of pride and the centre of many Pashto proverbs. However it should be noticed that different tribes have different types of turbans almost unique to them, such tribal styles are persevered for hundreds of years, and other Pashtun can easily distinguish the tribe and occupations with knowledge of these turbans. They are worn in day to day life by elders, adults and tribal leaders as sign of status and respect. The common turban comes in a spectrum of colours mainly so; dark blue, grey, military green, black in colour with a unique striped patterns. This turban style and way of wearing it is uniquely associated with Pashtuns only throughout the whole of Asia. However, other Afghan ethnic groups have also however adopted the Pashtun turban style.

Another common headwear of Pashtuns is the Pakol hat, which is a soft rolled up flat wool hat, that is worn on the head and worn like a beret. It comes in a variety of earthly colours and is used to keep the head warm, although this isn't a traditional headwear and was adopted in the 19th century, it is worn by many of them today in day to day life

Women clothing

Being raised to be and being modest; Pashtun women when outside their compounds of their own homes, or when visiting cities or in the presence of male strangers, have always strictly observed the Burka. They cover themselves with Burka from head to toe, whilst leaving latticed slits, or nets to see through. It is made from cotton and comes in a variety of colours such as blue, white, brown and black. Burka is an essential part of women in Pashtun culture as it conveys honour and respect to others, in society, however it is not worn by children, young girls or elderly women. It is worn in all Pashtun regions from Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as by some diaspora women. However in the presence of their own family and other women only areas; they take it of. Burka is historically associated with women of higher class and suggested women didn't need to work. Women themselves insist upon wearing it to preserve their self respect and honour

Contrary to the false beliefs and propaganda by outsiders that it was introduced by Taliban, the earliest recorded mention of Pashtun women wearing traditional Burka outdoors was in the early 18th century, by a British soldier of the British Empire, James Rattray records that

When out of doors, or taking Horse exercise, these ladies don an immense white sheet, reaching from the top of the skull cap, to the feet, a long square veil, attached by a clasp of gold, or jewel to the back of the head, conceals the face, across where there is an opening of network to admit light and air. This dress is called a Boorkha. It conceals the whole figure, all outlines which is so entirely lost, that a stranger, on viewing a party of these shrouded beings flitting about him on the streets, might as well be at a loss to guess to what class of creatures they belonged. In addition to the winding sheets, they wear long loose white boots of calico, fastened by a silken garter above the knees and turned back like a falling collar, in order to display the lining. The soles of these baglike leggings are of shawl and the garters, in their glittering tissues bear emblazed holy memorials, acts of zeal, and love recorded eminents from - from the Quran, the loose boots and veils are also embraided in white and coloured silk. They sit aside on horse back generally behind their own husband or one of their own sex

However, In the presence of other women and her own Family. they take it off. Women wear long, colourful traditional clothing similar to the Khet Partoog. The colour of the dress is usually red and is covered with variety of other ornaments. They adorn themselves in various traditional jewelry such as ornamental headpieces, bracelets, nose rings, earrings, necklaces are also worn. Henna is also done of the fingers, feet and hands to beautify themselves

Tattoos

Amongst the Ghilzai tribes of Pashtuns, a 1000 year old tradition exists, the Sheen Khaal, which is regarded as a sign of aesthetical beauty for young girls. Sheen Khaal, being a tribal custom, are geometric blue markings which are marked on the chin, cheeks, mid-brow, and forehead of young Pashtun women. It was once quite common amongst the Ghilzai Pashtun women. However nowadays it is often seen on elder ladies or nomads normally referred to as Kochi. This practice is slowly being abandoned due to the influence of Islam which forbids tattoos and this is also because most of the nomadic Ghilzai tribes have slowly have become more settled. Despite this many elderly ladies still have it as well as a few younger ones in Southern Afghanistan. As a substitute, many women now use Sheen Khaal temporarily with henna, on special occasions such as weddings. Different sub-tribes of the Ghilzai tribe have different patterns. It is thought that originally it was used to protect them from the evil eye as well as tribal identification and were seen as beauty marks.

This same Sheen Khaal culture or facial tattoos on women is also coincidently found thousand of miles away, in many Middle Eastern cultures, like the Kurds and Berbers/Amazigh of North Africa. All three, Pashtun, Amazigh, and Kurdish facial tattoos are done by the nomadic tribes of those ethnic groups.

Jirga and Hujra

Jirga (tribal council)

Within both Afghanistan and Pakistan, one of the oldest recorded traditions of Pashtun society, centuries old, is Jirgas which are tribal councils. It is an assembly of the respected elders and chieftains of a tribe get together in a circle and make descicons for the tribe. The Jirgas or tribal councils passes laws, resolves conflicts, deals with the government, murder cases, rewards fines and death sentences, declare war and peace, and banish people such as criminals from the tribe. Unlike Western court system, Jirgas are faster effective, and ritualised with prayers.

Outsiders like the British Empire attended Jirgas during the 18th and 19th century, in order to maintain relationships with the tribes and settle any conflicts. Today both Afghan and Pakistani government honour this system and use Jirgas when settling deals and talks with the tribes. Jirgas can hold from 5 men up to 2000 men.

There is no hierarchy in Jirgas, no president or spokesmen's; with respect to the elders, all the participants are equal, all can participate and speak, no one has authority over another. It has been described as "the closest thing to Athenian democracy that has existed since the original".

Hujra

Hujras are a male only guest house, and used to entertain male guests in Pashtun households, it acts as a community club that is as old as the Jirga itself. Every village has a Hujra and is occasionally owned by a wealthy family but is shared by the entire community. Male members of the community who hang out and associate like a larger family commonly visit Hujra, which serves as more than just a place to hold collective ceremonies Apart from hujra, the other place for gatherings in Pashtun society is mosque (Joomat). The mosques are considered a place for religious congregations. One the other hand, the Hujra is social and political in nature. It is the place where guests too are entertained, thus a symbol of hospitality. Elders spend their days enjoying chatting over tea, younger men listen to seniors' stories and discuss issues in their spare time, and children continue to play about, waiting for a call from one of the elders to take a message or deliver fresh tea.

The Hujra building is used as a guest home, wedding club, entertainment club, local council for Jirgas to take place, and men's shared residence. This club valued Rubab, songs, poems and amused and nourished hospitalities, nurtured the spirit of revenge, in short, it protected and projected the Pashtun culture.

A man can enter a Hujra at any time of the day, month or year and be sure of getting safety, food and shelter. No questions are asked from the guest until he is taken care of and served the best food. It is only after he has been adequately fed that the members ask him how they can help him and assure him that he can stay as long as he wishes. This goes under Pashtunwali code, to be Hospitable to guests.

Similarly, Kor (home) and Godar (water spring) are a particularized place for Women to interact and enjoy themselves.

Cultural dance

Attan dance

Amongst Pashtuns, a part of their traditional pre Islamic culture is the Attan, which is a war dance still done today. Historically Pashtuns did the Attan just before or after a successful raid or tribal war, used to instill confidence before a battle and spiritually be ready, however today its usually done more specifically for celebrations such as weddings - some still do it before a tribal war.

Historically said to be linked with Zoroastrianism. It is a circular dance ranging from two to over a hundred people, and the performers will follow each other going round and round in a circle to the beat as the rhythm and beats faster. It is typically performed in a circle of tribesmen, around a drummer beating a double-headed barrel drum, the rhythm of the speed of the Attan is based on the rhythm of the drum. The dance, which is intensive, usually lasts up to 30 minutes, and is finished until exhaustion of all the performers. It historically is accompanied by weapons; today some of the tribes still dance with weapons during the Attan; The Wazir and Mahsud tribe use guns, and the Khattaks use swords. Traditionally done by men, women do not participate, however if women do Attan, it is usually segregated away from a man view in respect and out of the culture, and done amongst themselves privately and happily - men and women do not do Attan together.

There are various types of Attan done in the Pashtun belt of Afghanistan and Pakistan, they differ in motions, and even accessories. The differences are unique to the different tribes such as, Khattak, Wazir, Mehsud, Kochi, Zadran, Zazai, Wardaki, Mangal and more.

Attan, being recognised as the national dance of Afghanistan, had made other ethnic make their own variations of it such as the Kabuli Attan done in Kabul and abroad, very different from the traditional Attan.

Marriages and weddings

Pashtun marriages are very similar to the way Islam recommends. A large group of people are gathered, there are different sections for men and women to go to. Food such as rice, khabab and meat are served.

Cuisine

Pashtun cuisine is characterized by their own traditional dishes as well as some influence by outsiders. Rice dishes and kebabs feature prominently in Pashtun cuisine. Lamb is eaten more often in their cuisine than any other culture in the region, Kabuli palaw, Chappli Kebab, Mutton, are the most famous dishes. Historical variations include Peshawari cuisine. Although it varies from region to region the Pashtun cuisines are traditionally non-spicy and are heavily meat based. Naan bread is consumed with most meals and tea also called Chai is generally consumed daily in large quantities; it is a major part of hospitality and often served with breakfast or drank at social gatherings.

The cuisine is based on halal principles, which forbids pork and alcohol consumption in accordance with Sharia, the religious laws of Islam.

Holidays and celebrations

Eid (Islamic Holiday)

Nowruz

Independence day of Afghanistan (19 August),

Independence day of Pakistan (14 August)

Usually, it is not uncommon for Pashtuns to start firing guns shots joyously into the air during on hearing a special event or celebration. Celebrations include weddings, birth of a child, end of Ramadan etc, This tradition is also found in other parts of the world such as the Middle East and Europe.

Pashtun Culture Day

Pashtun Culture Day is celebrated on 23rd of September every year since 2014. In 2014 many Pashtuns from different cities of Pakistan started a struggle for a day on which they promote their Pashtun culture worldwide. So after a brief struggle of the Pashtun community of Pakistan, some People of the Pashtun community gathered in Karachi and they held rallies on Thursday, 23 September 2014 and organized an event at The Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) as they staged a folk dance at sea view. They designated 23rd September as the Pashtun Culture Day.

Religion

Islam is the religion of the Pashtuns, all the tribes follow the Sunni sect except the Turi tribe of Kurram, who follow Shia sect.

Cultural Sports

Buskashi (Bûz Kashi)

'Buz' means Goat and 'Kashi' means dragging or pulling in Pashto language. The sport dates back to Genghis Khan’s reign and continues with very little alteration today. The basic objective is to carry the headless carcass of a calf or goat around a flag and back to the starting point while on horseback with other riders trying to do the same thing by taking the carcass away from you. It’s not a team sport, it’s every man for himself and that becomes apparent as soon as the game starts. It is played on a large open dusty field which does not appear to have many boundaries. The game is a microcosm of power politics in Afghanistan. Although Buskashi is primarily an individual sport, alliances are built up between various players. And then, between the alliances, the strongest players finally take control (or in this case the remnants of a headless calf) and ride off to victory.

See also

*Pashtun people
*Pashtun tribes
*Pashtunistan

References

{{Pashtun nationalism