PATHANS

ORIGIN/ HISTORY:

The Western region of Pakistan, which includes a major portion of NWFP, a part of Quetta Division in Balochistan and 3/4 of Afghanistan consists of mainly hilly areas divided between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This part of the world is home to the largest group of tribesmen with a population of over 30 million called Pathans, Pashtuns, Pakhtuns and sometimes Afghans. Over a long period of time, Pakhtun history and culture has attracted the attention of a large number of scholars. In the modern era, more and more researchers, which include unusually large number of Western scholars, are taking a keen interest in understanding the lifestyle and traditions of Pashtuns.   
Because the region is inhabited by a large number of tribes each making varying claims about the origin of their culture, there are mixed views about the historical background of this area by the researchers.

It is important to first discuss the origin of the name of Pathan. According to Raverty, a Pashtun dictionary, the word is derived from ‘Pusht’ meaning “back”. As Pathans lived on the backside of the mountains, they were known by the Persians as Pashtuns. Some researchers also think the word originated from an old Iranian word parsava, which means “robust men” or “knights.” Some historians also suggest that the people who speak only Pashto language should be called Pathans (those living in NWFP and Balochistan) and those speaking Persian along with Pashto should be called Afghans in order to distinguish between Afghans and Pashtuns.

Many Western scholars maintain the belief that an overwhelming majority of the Afghan/Pathan tribes are positively descended from the Sakas, Kushans, Huns and Gujjars. Along the Pak-Afghan border, there are a large number of tribes living on both sides, which include Shinwaris, Mohmands, Mahsuds, Khattaks, Afridis, Orakzais, Achakzais, Bannuchis, Waziris, Bangash, Yusufzais, etc.  Numerous tribes dwelling in this region make it the largest conglomeration of tribal people in the world.

LANGUAGE:

The language spoken by Pashtuns is Pashto. The alphabet in Pashto language comes mainly from the Arabic alphabet. Researchers claimed that before Arabic letters were in incorporated, the language was mainly written in “Kharoshti”. Rehman Baba and Khushal Khan Khatak are considered to be the legendary poets and writers of Pashto language. Some Pashto words come from Greek and Persian too. The first written records in Pashto language come             from the 16th century describing the Sheikh Mali’s conquest of Swat. Pashto stems from languages used in Eastern Iran. Today about 9 million people in Pakistan, including people of Vale of Peshawar, the NWFP and the Northern Balochistan, speak Pashto.

As a consequence of life in mountainous regions, the Pashtuns have weak socio-economic interrelations. There are also many dialects in Pashto language, which are divided by Western or Eastern dialects. The difference between these dialects is only the use and pronunciation of some words. Pashto language is not taught in schools but people use it in homes and everyday life. During the recent years, a great deal of development has been made in Pashto language due to journalism and therefore many new words in this language have been conceived.

FESTIVALS:

Pashtun celebrations and special events are also national holidays in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The most prominent are Muslim holidays, which include Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Muslim holidays tend to be the most widely observed and commercial activity can come to a halt as large extended families gather in what are often both a religious duty and a festive celebration. A common Turko-Iranian New Year called Nouruz is often observed by Pashtuns.

ARTS AND MUSIC:

Pasthtun are zealous participants in various physical forms of art which include traditional Pashtun dance, sword fighting and other physical feats. One of the most prominent dances in Pashtun Culture is ‘Attan’. This dance is performed by enthusiasts with musicians playing dhols (drums), Tablaas (percussions) and a wooden flute. Another type of Attan known as Braghoni require much more skilled performers due to the use of upto three swords and spinning nature of the dance. It is common to see young Pashtun girls entertaining at wedding ceremonies with the help of tambourine.

Choral singing is part of the Pashtun culture. Pashtuns have a folk song tradition that includes special songs for marriages and funerals. Poems known as ‘matal’are very popular.

Pashtun women are known for their handicrafts, which are popular worldwide. The Pashtuns in the city sew unique designs on their clothes and wear small hats made of silk.

RELIGION:

Some historians believe that Pashtuns may have been Zoroastrians, Hindus or Jews before Islam was introduced in the 7th century. A number of them may even have practiced Buddhism. However, these theories remain without conclusive evidence. Islam was introduced to the Pashtun in the 8th century. A legacy of Sufi activity remains common in Pashtun regions, which is evident in song and dance.

Pashtuns are strict followers of Islamic rituals. They are automatically considered Muslims since birth. All the members of a family participate in prayer five times a day. Children practice Islamic rituals at a very early age. Islamic practice enforces Pashtun women wear a ‘burqa’ (a loose garment which is veiled with holes for the eyes). Pashtun women must strictly follow the verdict of confining their daily activities inside the house.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

Most Pashtuns do not have very high standards of living. Inhabitants along the Pak–Afghan border live a nomadic lifestyle. They move frequently from place to place in search of pastures for their animals and carry all their possessions with them. They often feed on the meat and milk of these animals. The Pashtuns living in fertile valleys of Northern Pakistan are active agriculturists. They grow fruits, such as apples, grapes, and pears to earn their living. Most Pashtun women are known for their craft in making carpets, rugs and mats known worldwide.

SPORTS:

Pashtun Culture is rich in traditional sports. One of the most prominent sports played in the region is ‘Naiza Bazi’. This involves horsemen competing to throw spears. Another ancient traditional sport amongst Pashtuns is POLO. This also involves teams of horsemen trying to score goals against opposing team. Pashtuns are true enthusiasts of wrestling and several competitions of ‘pehlwanbazi’ are held amongst them.

Pashto Web
2004 History of Pashto. Electronic Document, http://www.pashtoweb.com/HistoryPashtoE.htm, accessed July 25, 2009.

Advameg Inc
2008 Pashtun. Electronic Document, http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Afghanistan-to-Bosnia-Herzegovina/Pashtun.html, accessed July 25, 2009.

The Gale Group, Inc
1999 Pashtun. Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures

Written By

Salman Hakim, 2009