Pakhtunwali is a non-written ethical code and traditional lifestyle which the indigenous Pashtun people follow. The Pathan tribes are always engaged in private or public war. Every man is a warrior, a politician and a theologian. Every large house is a real feudal fortress....Every family cultivates its vendetta; every clan, its feud.... Nothing is ever forgotten and very few debts are left unpaid Winston Churchill (My Early Life - Chapter 11) Main principles of Pashtunwali: Melmastia (hospitality) - Showing hospitality and profound respect to all visitors, regardless of race, religion, national affiliation or economic status and doing so without any hope of remuneration or favour. Pashtuns will go to great lengths to show their hospitality. Nanawatai (asylum) - Derived from the verb meaning to go in, this refers to the protection given to a person against his or her enemies. People are protected at all costs; even those running from the law must be given refuge until the situation can be clarified.Nanawatai can also be used when the vanquished party in a dispute is prepared to go in to the house of the victors and ask for their forgiveness. (It is a peculiar form of chivalrous surrender, in which an enemy seeks sanctuary at his or her enemys house). A notable example is that of Navy Petty Officer First Class Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of a US Navy SEAL team ambushed by Taliban fighters. Wounded, he evaded the enemy and was aided by members of the Sabray tribe who took him to their village. The tribal chief protected him, fending off attacking tribes until word was sent to nearby US forces. Nyaw aw Badal (justice and revenge) - To seek justice or take revenge against the wrongdoer. No time limit restricts the period in which revenge can be taken. Justice in Pashtun lore needs elaborating: even a mere taunt (or Peghor/پېغور) counts as an insult which usually can only be redressed by shedding the taunters blood. If he is out of reach, his or her closest male relation must suffer the penalty instead. Badal may lead to blood feuds that can last generations and involve whole tribes with the loss of hundreds of lives. Normally blood feuds in this male-dominated society are settled in a number of ways. Turah (bravery)- A Pashtun must defend his/her land, property, and family from incursions. He should always stand bravely against tyranny and be able to defend the honour of his name. Death can follow if anyone offends this principle. Sabat (loyalty) - Pashtuns owe loyalty to their family, friends and tribe members. Pashtuns can never become disloyal as this would be a matter of shame for their families and themselves. Khegaṛa/Shegaṛa (righteousness) - A Pashtun must always strive for good in thought, word and deed. Pashtuns must behave respectfully to people, to animals and to the environment around them. Pollution of the environment or its destruction is against the Pashtunwali. Groh (faith) - contains wider notion of Trust or Faith in God (known as Allah in Arabic and Khuday in Pashto).The notion of trusting in one Creator generally comports to the Islamic idea of belief in only one God (tawheed). Pat, Wyaaṛ aw Meṛaana (respect, pride and courage) - Pashtuns must demonstrate courage [ مېړانه ]. Their pride [ وياړ ] , has great importance in Pashtun society and must be preserved. They must respect themselves and others in order to be able to do so, especially those they do not know. Respect begins at home, among family members and relatives. If one does not have these qualities they are not considered worthy of being a Pashtun. Naamus (protection of women) - A Pashtun must defend the honour of women at all costs and must protect them from vocal and physical harm. Nang (honour) - a Pashtun must defend the weak around him. Hewaad (country) - a Pashtun is obliged to protect the land of the Pashtuns. Defence of nation means the defence of Pashtun culture or hasob [هڅوب], countrymen or hewaadwaal [هيوادوال] and of the self or zaan [ځان]. This principle is also interconnected to another principle denoting the attachment a Pashtun feels with his or her land or zmaka ځمکه.
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:29:08 +0000