Pashtunwali


Pashtunwali, also known as Pakhtunwali and Afghaniyat, is the traditional lifestyle or a code of honour and tribal code of the Pashtun people, from Afghanistan and Pakistan, by which they live. Many scholars widely have interpreted it as being "the way of the Pashtuns" or "the code of life". Pashtunwali is widely practised by Pashtuns in the Pashtun-dominated regions, and dates back to ancient pre-Islamic times.

Overview

The native Pashtun tribes, often described as fiercely independent people, who inhabit the Pashtunistan region follow this traditional code of conduct that governs the social behaviour and values of the Pashtuns, which is called Pashtunwali, and it is described as being ancient, which the Pashtuns follow and predates Islam. Because of that, much of their mountainous territory has remained outside government rule or control. Pashtun resistance to outside rule and the terrain they reside in is sometimes speculated to be why Indigenous Pashtuns still follow the "code of life".
Pashtunwali rules are accepted in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and also in some Pashtun communities around the world. Some non-Pashtun Afghans and others have also adopted its ideology or practices for their own benefit. Conversely, many urbanized Pashtuns tend to ignore the rules of Pashtunwali. Passed on from generation to generation, Pashtunwali guides both individual and communal conduct. Practiced by the majority of Pashtuns, it helps to promote Pashtunization.
Pashtuns embrace an ancient traditional, spiritual, and communal identity tied to a set of moral codes and rules of behaviour, as well as to a record of history spanning some seventeen hundred years.
Pashtunwali promotes self-respect, independence, justice, hospitality, love, forgiveness, revenge and tolerance toward all. It is considered to be the personal responsibility of every Pashtun to discover and rediscover Pashtunwali's essence and meaning.

Pashtun institutions

Pashtuns are organised into tribal or extended family groups often led by a "Malik".
Disputes within clans are settled by a jirga.
In times of foreign invasion, Pashtuns have been known to unite under Pashtun religious leaders such as Saidullah Baba in the Siege of Malakand and even under Pashtána female leaders such as Malalai of Maiwand in the Battle of Maiwand.

Main principles

Although not exclusive, the following thirteen principles form the major components of Pashtunwali.
The three primary principles:
  1. Hospitality – Showing hospitality and respect to all visitors, regardless of race, religion, nationality or wealth, without any expectation of repayment. Pashtuns will go to great lengths to show their hospitality.
  2. Asylum – Protection given to a fugitive from his enemies, at all costs. Even those running from the law must be given refuge until the situation can be clarified. Nənawā́te can also be used when the vanquished party in a dispute pleads for forgiveness in the house of the victors, a form of chivalrous surrender. In a notable example, US Navy PO1 Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of a US Navy SEAL team ambushed by Taliban fighters, was aided by members of the Pashtun Sabray tribe. The tribal chief Mohammed Gulab gave the soldier refuge in his village, fending off attacking tribes until he was returned to nearby US forces.
  3. Justice and revenge – To seek justice or take revenge against a wrongdoer. No time limit restricts the revenge period. Even a mere taunt may count as a mortal insult. Monetary compensation can be an alternative to badal, for example to expiate murder.
The other main principles:
  1. Bravery. A Pashtun must defend his land, property, and family from intruders, killing them if provoked.
  2. Loyalty. A Pashtun must be loyal to family, friends and tribe members.
  3. Kindness. Pashtuns should act for the welfare of others.
  4. Arbitration. Disputes are to be resolved through the Jirga.
  5. Faith Trust in Allah. The notion of trusting in the Creator generally equates to Islamic monotheism.
  6. Respect and pride. A Pashtun man's pride must be respected, and he must respect himself and others, especially strangers. Respect begins at home, among family members and relatives. A man without respect is unworthy of being a Pashtun. In the poetry of Khushal Khattak, “The loss of life and wealth should not matter, what matters is pat."
  7. Female honour. A Pashtun must defend the honor of women at all costs and must protect them from all harm and disrespect.
  8. Honour. A Pashtun must defend the weak around him.
  9. Manhood or chivalry. A Pashtun must demonstrate courage. A turban is considered a symbol of chivalry.
  10. Country. A Pashtun is obliged to protect the land of the Pashtuns and the traditional customs.