The Pashtuns, an ethnic group spread across Afghanistan and Pakistan, live by an unwritten tribal code known as Pashtunwali, or “the way of the Pashtun.” This unique system of values governs their lives, blending honour, hospitality, and justice. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, Pashtunwali remains a cornerstone of Pashtun identity, distinguishing them from other ethnic groups.
Honour at the core
At the heart of Pashtunwali lies nang (honour), which is intertwined with zan (woman), zar (wealth), and zameen (land). For the Pashtuns, safeguarding honour is a sacred duty. As the 17th-century Pashto poet Khushal Khan Khattak wrote, “The very word honour drives me mad.” Weapons, symbols of protection, are integral to this code. A Pashtun proverb captures this sentiment: “A man’s gun is his jewellery.”
This emphasis on honour often brings the Pashtuns into conflict with external authorities. For Pashtuns, justice is inseparable from honour, sometimes requiring defiance of state laws to uphold personal and tribal pride.
The pillar of hospitality
One of the most celebrated aspects of Pashtunwali is melmastia (hospitality). A Pashtun’s status is tied to their generosity, with a popular saying stating, “There is no khan without a dastarkhan” (tablecloth). Guests, even strangers or enemies, are welcomed with protection and kindness. Offering refuge to an enemy seeking shelter showcases magnanimity, further elevating the host’s honour.
Revenge and justice
Badal (revenge) is another critical element of Pashtunwali. It dictates that any wrong must be avenged, often perpetuating cycles of violence. A Pashtun proverb asserts, “He is not a Pashtun who does not give a blow in return for a pinch.” Revenge is seen as a moral obligation, sometimes taking generations to fulfil. This cultural commitment to justice through retaliation underscores the Pashtun view that grievances must be addressed, even if it means defying time.
In some cases, badal also manifests in the form of negotiated resolutions, such as blood compensation or arranged marriages between rival families, to mitigate conflict. Despite its violent connotation, badal embodies a broader concept of exchange, reflecting the Pashtuns’ pragmatic approach to maintaining balance and peace.
Women and honour
The concept of honour in Pashtun culture is deeply tied to women. Their behaviour directly impacts the reputation of their families and tribes. Violations of their honour provoke intense disputes, often leading to blood feuds. The gravity of these issues is encapsulated in the categorization of such cases as tor (black), with resolutions often involving extreme measures to restore spin (white), or purity.
Offering refuge: Nanawatai
Nanawatai, the act of offering refuge, is another pillar of Pashtunwali. It demands that protection be extended to anyone seeking it, even at great personal risk. This principle was exemplified by Mullah Omar, who refused to hand over Osama bin Laden to the United States, prioritizing Pashtunwali over Islamic Sharia. Such actions underline the primacy of this tribal code over external pressures.
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Challenges to external rule
Pashtunwali has long posed challenges to centralised authority. For the Pashtuns, self-rule and independence are paramount, and external attempts to impose state laws often clash with their cultural values. Analysts argue that Western policymakers have historically underestimated the significance of Pashtunwali when crafting strategies for the region.
The Taliban and al-Qaida, however, have skillfully leveraged Pashtunwali for recruitment and social mobilisation, exploiting its emphasis on hospitality and tribal loyalty.
A code misunderstood
To the Western mind, Pashtunwali often appears contradictory and incomprehensible. Winston Churchill, who encountered the Pashtuns during his military campaigns, described their code as “so strange and inconsistent as to be incomprehensible to a logical mind.” Despite its apparent incongruities, Pashtunwali serves as a cohesive framework for Pashtun society, balancing individual and collective responsibilities.
Conclusion
Pashtunwali is more than a code—it is a way of life that embodies the Pashtuns’ values and resilience. Its principles of honour, hospitality, and justice have sustained their identity for centuries, often in defiance of external forces. While its uncompromising nature may bewilder outsiders, Pashtunwali remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the Pashtun people. As the Pashtun proverb aptly states, “The Pashtun who took revenge after a hundred years said, ‘I took it quickly.’”
