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The Pukhtoon social
structure, which has attracted the attention of many a
scholar is mainly governed by conventions and traditions
and a code of honor known as "Pukhtoonwali". This
un-written code is the keystone of the arch of the
Pukhtoons' social fabric. It exercises a great influence
on their actions and has been held sacrosanct by them
generation after generation. The Pukhtoonwali or the
Pukhtoon code of honor embraces all the activities from
the cradle to the grave. It imposes upon the members of
the Pukhtoon society four chief obligations.
Firstly, “Nanawatey” or repentance over past hostility
or inimical attitude and grant of asylum; secondly
“Teega” or a truce declared by a Jirga to avoid
bloodshed between two rival factions; thirdly “Badal” or
obligation to seek revenge by retaliation and fourthly
“Melmastiya” or an open hearted hospitality which is one
of the most sublime and noble features of Pukhtoon
character. In a broad sense hospitality, magnanimity,
chivalry, honesty, uprightness, patriotism, love and
devotion for the country are the essential features of
Pukhtoonwali.
The history of Pukhtoonwali is as old as the history of
the Pukhtoons and every individual of Pukhtoon society
is expected to abide by these age old traditions. The
non-observance of these customary laws is considered
disgraceful and may lead to expulsion of an individual
or even a whole family. Pukhtoonwali, Pukhto and
Pukhtoon have become almost synonymous terms.
Some useful words that signify individual or collective
Pashtoon Tribal functions are given below. These words
are common to Pathan society and language but some,
unfortunately have fallen into disuse in the settled
areas.
Chillum
It is said that all the
credit of the beautification of the Hujrah goes to the
Chillum, i.e., without it the Hujrah will be incomplete
and dull. The chillum is simply a water-pipe (called
Sheesha in the Arab World and Hookah/Chillum in the
sub-continent and Afghanistan).
Social Life of Pakhtoons
Family
An attractive feature of the Pukhtoon way of life is the
joint family system which signifies their deep love for
the family's solidarity and welfare. The desire of
communal life emanates from a consideration of economic
security and integrity. All the family members, even the
married sons, live jointly in a house large enough to
separately accommodate each married couple under the
authority of the father who, as head of the family,
manages the family affairs and exercises an immense
influence in his own domain.
The mantle of authority falls on the eldest son's
shoulders after the death of the father or when old age
renders him unable to discharge his functions
efficiently. The system of Nikat (ancestral line) which
regulates the shares of losses and gains, debts and
liabilities of each family, is the mainstay of Pukhtoon
society. The internal management of the household rests
with the mother who exercises her authority within her
own sphere of influence. The joint family system,
however, is gradually giving way to individualistic
trends under the impact of modern influences. It is
losing its hold, particularly on educated classes and
well off sections.
Respect for Elders
The Pukhtoon children are taught to show a great degree
of respect to their parents and elders.
The elder's opinion prevails in all important matters.
Kashars or youngsters of the community rise from their
seats as a mark of respect when an elderly person enters
the Hujra. Youngsters are normally not expected to talk
or laugh loudly or smoke a cigarette or huqqa in the
presence of their elders. Even in tribal Jirgas the
younger members of the village are not allowed to speak.
Everything is left to the discretion of their elders.
Manners
The Pukhtoons have several ways of greeting and
salutation. The Pukhtoons usually embrace their friends
and relatives when they meet them after a long absence
and warmly receive each other by a hearty handshake.
When meeting a pious or an elderly person, a Pukhtoon
bows a little and keeps his hands on his chest as a mark
of veneration.
Love of Independence
One of the outstanding characteristics of the Pukhtoons,
as gleaned from their record, is their passionate love
for freedom and violent opposition to any infringement
of their liberty. They have preserved their liberty by
the force of arms despite heavy odds. In spite of their
ignorance of military science, modern techniques of
warfare, lack of sophisticated
weapons and material resources, they held their own
against every invader, including the British who were
one of the most powerful empire builders of their time.
It is one of the striking features of Pukhtoons in
general and Afridis in particular that they give up
their individual disputes and tribal feuds, sink their
differences temporarily according to the exigencies of
the time, form a Sarishta or take a unanimous decision
for collective action and fight shoulder to shoulder
against their common foe.
The Pukhtoons are fond of firearms which they possess
for their personal protection, honor and defense of
their homeland.
Character
Summing up the character of Pukhtoons the Hon
Mountstuart Elphinstone wrote, "they are fond of
liberty, faithful to their friends, kind to their
dependents, hospitable, brave, hardy, frugal, laborious
and prudent".
Names
The Pashtoon name, either boy or girl, usually consist of
two words (The First Name and the Last Name)
The first name is commonly a typical Pashtun name and
the last name, the main tribe name, e.g. Muhammadzai,
Isupzai, Marwat, or Mohmand etc. So a complete name may
be, for example, Turyalai Muhammadzai for boy, and
Shaperai Isupzai for girl.
The history of the name "Khan" is quite vague but
interesting. Historians claiming Turk or Arab descent
claim that it is derived from "Kan" which means Lord of
Warriors. Those that claim Jewish descent claim that it
is derived from "Kahn", a title given to those rabbis
who had the duty of giving animal sacrifices. Whatever
its origins, Pukhtoons give this title to somebody who
is a Chief, Leader, or a respectable person.
The "Khan" usage can be compared with the use of the
"Turban". Pukhtoons do not wear turbans unless they
achieve a certain level of wisdom. The convention of
Khan is similar. Hence there is no need to include
"Khan" as the middle name. |
