Pashtun / Pashtunwali / Pashtunistan (catch all)

[Jedburgh]

Canadian Army Journal, Fall 07: The Way of the Pashtun: Pashtunwali

.....Knowledge of the cultural norms and practices of Afghans is rudimentary at best. Few in Canada, and quite likely Europe and North America, have any real understanding of Afghanistan and its people. Tribal codes and practices seem as distant in time as the American frontier or the “wild west,” and more appropriate to an era dominated by imperial practices and the building of empires, certainly not the 21st Century. Many cannot conceive of a people who do not subscribe to the concept of rights and obligations we in Canada take for granted, and whose lives differ so dramatically from the scope of the privileges that we are afforded in the West. Certainly, few can understand why the Pashtuns of Afghanistan believe what they do, or why it is important to them.

The purpose of this piece is to describe the code commonly referred to as Pashtunwali, paying specific attention to its tenets and guiding principles, as well as its applicability and usage. Additionally, I will examine its relationship with the Islamic concept of shari’a, as well as the role played by women in its day-to-day use. Lastly, I will close with some observations on the code and possible implications it could have for the conduct of ongoing NATO operations within Afghanistan. The topic warrants study and discussion, largely because of the significant interactions which are happening between westerners currently in Afghanistan as part of the “International Security Assistance Force” (ISAF) and “Operation ENDURING FREEDOM” (OEF), but also because if there is any real hope of ever rebuilding Afghanistan and making it a viable nation on the world stage, it is imperative that an understanding of its cultural norms and practices exists beyond that articulated in the popular press.....

[zenpundit]

Though it reads like a book report at times, it was one of the most informative reports on the details of Pustunwali that I've seen. Women appear to be able to influence male behavior under the Pushtunwali by subtlely positioning themselves in such a way that refusal of their request would be regarded as shameful for a man of authority and cause a loss of standing or honor.

I wonder how the Pustunwali compares with the Adat of the Chechens - anyone out there know?

[davidbfpo]

In December 2006 The Economist published an article on the Pashtun code of honour, it is a good account, but is not available freely on their website. It is on this link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/1302/The-E...htunwali-tribeAlas link no longer works (Jan 2010).

This link appears to suddenly end and hard copy of original article is at work, so will check out later today.

Or try this article, from July 2007, written by an Afghan now resident in Australia: http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/1952/81/

davidbfpo

[Jedburgh]

REI, 2 Apr 08: ‘Pashtunistan’: The Challenge to Pakistan and Afghanistan

Summary: The alarming growth of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the Pashtun tribal region of north-western Pakistan and southern Afghanistan is usually attributed to the popularity of their messianic brand of Islam and to covert help from Pakistani intelligence agencies. But another, more ominous, reason also explains their success: their symbiotic relationship with a simmering Pashtun separatist movement that could lead to the unification of the estimated 41 million Pashtuns on both sides of the border, the break-up of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the emergence of a new national entity, an ‘Islamic Pashtunistan’.

This ARI examines the Pashtun claim for an independent territory, the historical and political roots of the Pashtun identity, the implications for the NATO- or Pakistani-led military operations in the area, the increasing co-operation between Pashtun nationalist and Islamist forces against Punjabi domination and the reasons why the Pashtunistan movement, long dormant, is slowly coming to life.

[Entropy]

Excellent articles all. As for blogs, don't forget the Baluchis!

[Jedburgh]

Two products requiring AKO Log-in and BCKS membership to access:

Micro Mission Guide: Afghanistan

Afghanistan's history and culture are complex. This guide is a starting point that draws from the experiences of military operators, academics, and analysts. It complements existing cultural intelligence products on Afghanistan and gives deeper insight into the way Afghans conduct themselves when holding meetings, attending special events, and conducting negotiations.

NWFP and FATA Pakistan Regional Culture Smart Card

This culture smart card provides unclassified information on NWFP and FATA culture. Topics addressed include:

Cultural History
Governing Laws
Pashtun Society
Tribal Agencies
Centers of Authority
Frontier Corps

[Jedburgh]

First issue of a new publication from the Aryana Institute of Regional Research and Advocacy:

Kyber - The Voices of Pashtuns, June 2009

Kyber is an initiative to engage the Pashtun intelligentia and youth, both in the homeland and in the diaspora with the aim to discuss Pashtun issues and contribute to a more informed debate on the Pashtun question on both sides of the Durand Line. The magazine also intends to provide a forum to our youth to remain in touch with their culture, art and literature and at the same time, to illustrate a softer image of the Pashtun to the outer world.

Articles include:

• Pashtun Population: An Estimate

• Pashtun Besieged: Is there a way out?

• Pashtun Ethnic Cleansing and Opportunity for Peace

• What do we (Pashtun) need?

• The code of Pashtunwali

• IDPs Crisis and Governance Confusion

• IDPs updates as on 8-5-2009

• Irfan Khan Revealed Interview with Irfan Khan

• Video (Specially edited for KHYBER)

• Afghani Cuisine

• Green Tea of Peshawar