Pashtun culture

Being the world's largest tribal ethnicity, Pashtun society is guarded by a code of common rules, customs and social behaviors, known collectively as Pashtunwali. The code is based on personal honor and promotes courage, self-respect, independence, leadership, justice and hospitality.{{Cite web |last=RC |first=Patial |date=2021-12-29 |title=Taliban's Little Known Pashtunwali Code Of Ethics – OpEd |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/29122021-talibans-little-known-pashtunwali-code-of-ethics-oped/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Eurasia Review |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Understanding Pashtunwali |url=https://prezi.com/8hlrmpgrhiei/understanding-pashtunwali/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=prezi.com |language=en}}

One of the trademark and historical headwear of Pashtun men is an adorned turban{{Cite web |date=2011-09-06 |title=Afghan Turbans |url=https://blogs.transparent.com/pashto/afghan-turbans/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Pashto Language Blog {{!}} Language and Culture of the Pashto-Speaking World}} 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 center of many Pashto proverbs. However, it should be mentioned that different tribes have different types of turbans unique to them, as such tribal styles have been persevered for centuries. They are worn in everyday life by male elders, adults and tribal leaders as sign of status and respect. The common turban comes in a spectrum of colors with unique striped patterns. These styles are uniquely associated with Pashtuns throughout Central and South Asia.{{Cite web |title=Afghan Traditional Turban Lungee |url=https://seengar.com/product/pakol/afghan-traditional-turban-lungee/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Seengar.com - Seengar Fashion |language=en-US}} However, other Afghan ethnic groups have also however adopted the Pashtun turban style.{{Cite web |title=Decoding Afghanistan's colourful headgear culture |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/18/decoding-afghanistans-colourful-headgear-culture |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

Another common headwear of Pashtun men 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 colors 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 everyday life.{{Cite web |title=How pakol hat is made. The male headdress of Pakistan and Afghanistan - Nationalclothing.org |url=http://nationalclothing.org/asia/88-pakistan/286-how-pakol-hat-is-made-the-male-headdress-of-pakistan-and-afghanistan.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=nationalclothing.org}}

Traditionally modest, Pashtun women when in public, or when visiting cities or in the presence of men, have observed the Burka, a garment worn by some Muslim women around the world. 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 colors such as blue, white, brown and black. The burka is an essential part of Pashtun culture as it conveys honor and respect to others, in society, however it is not worn by children, young girls or elderly women. It may be worn in all Pashtun regions from Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as by some diaspora women. However, in the presence of their own family members it may be taken off. The burka has historically been associated with women of higher class and suggested women didn't need to work.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Colin |title=Ladies Of Caubul |url=https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/other/019xzz000000562u00024000.html |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=www.bl.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Burqa - The Truth About Why Women Wear Them |url=https://www.newidea.com.au/burqa-the-truth-about-why-women-wear-them |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=New Idea |date=18 July 2019 |language=en-us}} Many women insist upon wearing it to preserve their self respect and honorAhmed, A. (2010). Women's Agency in Muslim Society. The SAGE Handbook of Islamic Studies, 22, 213Agarwal, B. (1998). A field of one's own: Gender and land rights in South Asia. New York: Cambridge University Press.File:Burqa clad Pashtun & Qizilbash women, Kabul, 1840.jpg

Contrary to the false beliefs and propaganda suggesting it was introduced by Taliban,{{Cite web |title=About abayas, niqabs, and the Afghan Taliban going global |url=https://www.trc-leiden.nl/trc/index.php/en/blog/1269-about-abayas-niqabs-and-the-afghan-taliban-going-global |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=www.trc-leiden.nl}} the earliest recorded mention of Pashtun women wearing the burka was in the early 18th century,{{Cite web |title='Ladies of Caubul in their In and Out-of-door Costume', 1842 (c) {{!}} Online Collection {{!}} National Army Museum, London |url=https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?q=searchType=simple&simpleText=&themeID=&resultsDisplay=&page=823&pos=18&total=22141&page=823&acc=1966-08-26-24 |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=collection.nam.ac.uk}} 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{{Cite web |last=Unknown |date=2010-07-29 |title=Ladies of Caubul by James Rattray |url=http://public-domain-images.blogspot.com/2010/07/ladies-of-caubul-by-james-rattray.html |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=Public Domain Photos and Images}}

Amongst the Ghilji tribes of Pashtuns, an ancient tradition exists, the Sheen Khaal, which is regarded as a sign of beauty for women.{{Cite web |last=Mariam |title=Pashtun Culture and History: Sheen Khaal |url=http://pashtuncultureandhistory.blogspot.com/2010/08/sheen-khaal.html |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Pashtun Culture and History}} 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 Ghilji 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 Ghilji tribes have slowly have become more settled.{{Cite web |title=History of Pashtuns: Tattoo markings amongst Ghilzais |url=https://historyofpashtuns.blogspot.com/2016/03/tattoo-markings-amongst-ghilzais.html |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=History of Pashtuns|date=26 March 2016 }}. 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 (e.g., weddings). Different sub-tribes of the Ghilji tribe have different patterns.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-20 |title=Pakistan- Sheen Khal / Blue Tattoo Are The Beauty Marks For Pakhtun Females - Tattoo News |url=https://tattoos.news/2020/11/20/pakistan-sheen-khal-blue-tattoo-are-the-beauty-marks-for-pakhtun-females/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |language=en-US}}

This same Sheen Khaal culture or facial tattoos on women is also coincidentally found thousand of miles away, in many Middle Eastern cultures, like the Kurds{{Citation |title=Deq (tattoo) |date=2022-06-11 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deq_(tattoo)&oldid=1092606117 |work=Wikipedia |language=en |access-date=2022-08-19}}{{Cite web |title=Kurdish tatoos - Google Search |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=Kurdish+tatoos |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=www.google.com}} and Berbers/Amazigh of North Africa.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-26 |title=What do Berber tattoos mean? |url=https://kawa-news.com/en/what-do-berber-tattoos-mean/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=KAWA |language=en-US}}

Within both Afghanistan and Pakistan, one of the oldest recorded traditions of Pashtun society{{Cite web |title=A centuries old mechanism to resolve conflicts: The Jirga - Irénées |url=https://www.irenees.net/bdf_fiche-defis-258_en.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.irenees.net |language=en}} is Jirgas, or tribal councils. It is an assembly of respected elders and chieftains, get together in a circle and make decisions for the tribe. The Jirgas or tribal councils pass laws, resolves conflicts, deal with the government, murder cases, rewards fines and death sentences, declare war and peace, and banish people from the tribe.

Foreign powers, such as the British Empire, attended Jirgas during the 18th and 19th century,{{Cite journal |last=Beattie |first=Hugh |date=2011-11-01 |title=Negotiations with the Tribes of Waziristan 1849–1914—The British Experience |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03086534.2011.615597 |journal=The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=571–587 |doi=10.1080/03086534.2011.615597 |s2cid=144201973 |issn=0308-6534}} in order to maintain relationships with the tribes and settle any conflicts. Today, both Afghan{{Cite news |title=Loya Jirga -- An Afghan Tradition Explained |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-loya-jirga-explainer/25174483.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en |last1=Bezhan |first1=Frud }} and Pakistani{{Cite web |date=2022-08-13 |title=Jirga talks with tribal elders bear fruit |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2370951/jirga-talks-with-tribal-elders-bear-fruit |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

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".{{Cite book |last=Khan |first=Imran |title=Warrior Race |year=1993 |isbn=0701138904 |location=United Kingdom |pages=30–31}}

Hujras are guest houses for men, used to entertain. They act 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 linger and associate like a larger family commonly visit the hujra which serves as more than just a place to hold collective ceremonies.

A man can enter a Hujra at any time of the day, month or year and be sure of getting safety, food and shelter. 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.{{Cite web |date=2014-05-30 |title="Har kala rasha": Hujra, a fading Pakhtun tradition |url=http://tribune.com.pk/article/19892/har-kala-rasha-hujra-a-fading-pakhtun-tradition |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

Amongst Pashtuns, a part of their traditional pre-Islamic culture is the Attan, a war dance. Historically, Pashtuns 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.{{Citation |title=Attan: A Traditional Pashtun Dance Perfected In Waziristan |date=10 May 2016 |url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/waziristan-attan-dance/27728669.html |language=en |access-date=2022-08-17}}

Historically said to be linked with Zoroastrianism,{{Cite web |date=2021-03-06 |title=Afghanistan applies to register Pashtun dance with UNESCO |url=https://arab.news/rnwmy |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Arab News |language=en}} 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.

There are various types of Attan 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.{{Cite web |title=Attan - The traditional and national dance of Afghanistan |url=http://www.virtualafghans.com/attan/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.virtualafghans.com}}

{{Main|Pashtun 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. Bannu Pulao, Kabuli palaw, Chappli Kebab, Mutton, are the most famous dishes.{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Tribune News |title=Chapli kebab and the lingering charm of Pashtun cuisine |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/chapli-kebab-and-the-lingering-charm-of-pashtun-cuisine-389007 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en}}

• Eid (Islamic Holiday)
• Nowruz
• Independence day of Afghanistan (19 August),

It is not uncommon for Pashtuns to start firing guns shots joyously into the air during on hearing a special event or celebration.{{Cite news |last=Bragg |first=Rick |date=2001-10-21 |title=A NATION CHALLENGED: THE ROOTS; Afghan and Pakistani Tribe Lives by Its Guns and Honor |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/21/world/nation-challenged-roots-afghan-pakistani-tribe-lives-its-guns-honor.html |access-date=2022-08-17 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |date=2001-03-27 |title=Northwest Pakistan, where guns are the jewelry of men |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0327/p7s1.html |access-date=2022-08-17 |issn=0882-7729}}{{Cite news |last=Craig |first=Tim |date=2015-01-16 |title=Pakistani tribesmen worry they may lose their right to keep guns — and rockets and grenades, too |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistani-tribesmen-fear-losing-their-guns--and-rockets/2015/01/15/ae055164-9a70-11e4-bcfb-059ec7a93ddc_story.html |access-date=2022-08-17 |issn=0190-8286}} Celebrations include weddings, birth of a child, or the end of Ramadan.

• Pashtun folklore
• Pashtun people
• Pashtun tribes
• Pashtunistan

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

;Overview:

• {{cite journal |last=Bausani |first=Alessandro |title=Pashto Language and Literature |journal=Mahfil |volume=7 |issue=1/2 |date=1971 |pages=55–69 |jstor=40874413}} Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.
• {{cite book |last=Andreyev |first=S. |chapter=Pashto Literature. The Classical Period |editor1=Philip G. Kreyenbroek |editor2=Ulrich Marzolph |title=Oral literature of Iranian languages: Kurdish, Pashto, Balochi, Ossetic, Persian and Tajik |date=2010 |location=London; New York |publisher=I.B. Tauris |pages=89–113}}
• {{cite book |last=Bartlotti |first=L. N. |chapter=Modern Pashto Written Literature |editor1=Philip G. Kreyenbroek |editor2=Ulrich Marzolph |title=Oral literature of Iranian languages: Kurdish, Pashto, Balochi, Ossetic, Persian and Tajik |date=2010 |location=London; New York |publisher=I.B. Tauris |pages=113–134}}
• {{cite book |last=Heston |first=W. |chapter=Pashto Oral and Popular Literature |editor1=Philip G. Kreyenbroek |editor2=Ulrich Marzolph |title=Oral literature of Iranian languages: Kurdish, Pashto, Balochi, Ossetic, Persian and Tajik |date=2010 |location=London; New York |publisher=I.B. Tauris |pages=135–166}}
• {{cite book |last=Wide |first=Thomas |chapter=Demarcating Pashto: Cross-Border Pashto Literature and the Afghan State, 1880-1930 |title=Afghanistan in Ink: Literature between Diaspora and Nation |date=January 2013 |editor1=Nile Green |editor2=Nushin Arbabzadah |pages=91–112 |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |url=https://www.academia.edu/106136889}}
• {{cite book |last=Pelevin |first=Mikhail |chapter=Early Specimens of Pashto Folklore |title=Studies on Iran and The Caucasus |editor1=Uwe Bläsing |editor2=Victoria Arakelova |editor3=and Matthias Weinreich |location=Leiden, The Netherlands |publisher=Brill |date=2015 |pages=479–494 |doi=10.1163/9789004302068_031|isbn=978-90-04-30206-8 }}

;Collections:

• {{cite book |title=Pashtun Tales: From the Pakistan-Afghan Frontier |author1-first=Aisha |author1-last=Ahmad |author2-first=Roger |author2-last=Boase |publisher=Saqi Books |date=2003 |isbn=9780863564383}}

{{refend}}

{{Pashtun nationalism}}