Pashtunwali is unwritten?

[Aryob]

Pashtunwali is often defined as "an unwritten law", "undocumented code of honour" which gives me an impression that my forefathers couldn't document it or were not able to write it down. I believe this approach of defining Pashtunwali as an documented law is very colonial and it has now inherited down to Pashtun authors in Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan as well. The reason I think it's a colonial approach is because I've read some British authors from the early 20th or late 19th centuries saying that Pashtunwali is an unwritten law. My main question is "Does it have to be documented?".

Western approach of making studies on Afghans or Afghanistan is that they come down here for 2 weeks (nowadays its weeks) or a few months (30 years before it used to be longer time because of not having electronic communications), find some participants for themselves who live close to the airport, in kabul or pekhawar and they do their research on various topics and they make their conclusion. I'm even fine with that, what I don't like is that there are other "scholars" sitting in the libraries of US/Canada/UK universities, picking up these researches done by "experts" on Afghanistan (who apparently made 2 weeks trip to Afghanistan/Pakhtunkhwa) and after reading a bunch of papers/books they make their own conclusions which are so far from reality and become so biased but yet they make it to these shelves and as end users all we see is a two colours map of Afghanistan with Pashtuns in the south and Tajiks in the north. (I hope you know what i'm mean).

To put this in a real life scenario, to me it seems like the author got off the airport/boat (Bengal) came to a library and tried to find some books on Pashtunwali and he couldn't find anything. so after his research the first words he could come up was "Pashtunwali is an unwritten law", because he was pissed off. He was supposed to finish this project in 2 weeks but rather he had to spent more time to talk to people and "document" it. Probably he had to get back to London to feed his dog i guess, which he left with his neighbours.

Back to my main concern, Does Pashtunwali have to be documented? and Can it be documented? What about morality, that's undocumented law as well. Can we document that?

I believe Pashtunwali just like morality is relative and not absolute. It would be impossible to document all of the laws that are there in Pashtunwali but rather we can document the major topics in Pashtunwali which are melmastia, nanawatai, justice, faith etc etc.

I'd appreciate some comments....

[badmash_khel]

Well, I think pashtunwali is mainly documented by outsiders who want to undrestand the psyche of pashtuns and their culture. They want to undrestand what makes pashtuns tick so to speak. It can be either for educational and curiosity purposes or it could be for ulterior motives; for example if the foreigners know about "Badal" in pashtunwali then they can exploit that to their advantage by killing a member of the opposite tribe and blame it on the other tribe and so on. This leads to endless cycle of war and suffering.

I think pashtunwali needs to be documented or at least the main parts of it need to be documented for future pashtun generations. With the spread of urbanization and exposure to outsider influences, pashtunwali will eventually be lost as its best suited to rural tribal society. This is already demonstrated in big cities like kabul, pekhawar and so on. usually when tribal people visit these places, they don't feel at home, not just because of the weather but because of lack of melmastia and other parts of pashtunwali. As pashtuns become more urbanized, town like Wana will turn into future pekhawars. There is also threats to many aspects of pashtunwali from both secular and religious world view.

[Aryob]

but Pashtunwali was always unwritten and it always has existed. How were we able to understand Pashtunwali, I didn't read any book. And I don't need to read Pashtunwali in a book to practice it. Pashtunwali is in one's blood.

As far as the concern of Pashtunwali in Kabul or Pekhawar is concerned, I think that's not because people in Kabul or Pekhawar are less Pashtun but that has something to do with a small town/village life and a big city.

[badmash_khel]

It might have always existed or developed over time but the fact remains that pashtuns have never faced the challenges they are going to face. Pashtuns of old were isolated and never had exposure to outside ideologies like they do today and will do in the future. The spread of modern technology and communication medium (TV, Internet) will have long lasting effects on pashtuns. It can't be under estimated. Look at the shameful videos already circulating through mobile phones where people's namos is being destroyed. Its just the beginning. Pashtunwali is not in one's blood but its in the tribal societal structure of the pashtun nation which shapes the phsyche of pashtuns. Its codes are developed for the needs of a tribal society.
I am not saying people of pekhawar or kabul are not pashtuns but they certainly don't pratice pashtunwali as the tribals do. This means pashtunwali is evolving as pashtuns are becoming more urbanized to adjust to big city life and its pressures. Toramana already mentioned something about this in one of his posts somewhere.

[یاسمینه]

The Pashtunwali book I posted some time ago in Kitabtoon was written down by a Pashtun. My professor found it in 70's in Kabul.

I know good experts on Afghanistan and Pashtuns who spent years in Afghanistan traveling acorss the country before Russian invasion. And all knowledge they have comes from Pashtuns. They lived with Pashtun (and Afghan families). One of such people - my professor also studied at Kabul University and Pashtun professors were her mentors.

I have to admit, that there are very few people who know have good knowledge about Afghanistan. Lots of exprts mushroomed after 9/11 and they try to apply Western point of view to Afghan reality and it always fail. They publish rubbish books.

[یاسمینه]

Does Pashtunwali needs to be documented? I think it should be. Why? I think of Pashtuns living abroad, of future generations. It's precious heritage.
Modern life, especially life abroad makes that some customs are no longer continued.
Once, my Pashtun friend living in Afghanistan told me about the custom called lokhay, that his grandfather had such a deal with a man from from a naighboring village. But he didn't remember any details, and he said that later generation didn't keep this tradition. Then I posted a question here, on PF about lokhay. Only one person knew what I was asking about (thank you if you read this post ). Then I sent this answer to my friend. He was happy because it was something from Pashtun tradition, what he could tell his kids. Part of history of their family.

That's why I think that Pashtun customs, tradition, should be written down. No, not for us, Westerners. For Pashtuns, whose life was changed by 30 years of war.

[Aryob]

Thanks for all the posts guys, its interesting perspectives so far.
What I wanted to ask is that can we document each and every code of Pashtunwali? I'm not saying if we need to or if we have written a few papers "about" Pashtunwali and yes there are many written books which will tell you what it is and how people practice it. But I meant to ask you if we need to have a written manual on Pashtunwali, a written constitution on the basis of which we make decision on different aspects of life. What has been happening so far is that jirgas make the decision based on their understanding of Pashtunwali.

[یاسمینه]

The Pashtunwali I posted, written down by a Pashtun, it's also kind of interpretation of his understanding. I don't know if it's far or close to common Pashtun understanding. But I heard that some Pashtun, years ago said that certain issues in that book are aren't correct...

[Khostai]

Pashtunwali=afghan cultuur, and I don't know any civilisation on this planet who have writen down there cultural habits and rules. Peopel are forgeting that Pashtunwali is like every culture it is ment to change if the world changes, its not like din that is written and you can not change it. I think that is the reason way it is not written.

[Breshna]

Pashtunwali is a culture a way of life..

Its hard to document a way of life...even if it were documented its no use...

One has to be Pashtun by blood in Pashtunwali to...understand the full

consempt of Pashtunwali .

For example...knowledge the notion of language itself.
Its not possible to learn a language...just by the rules of grammar...a native speaker picks up at a young age unaware of the formal grammar that they may learn later.

So many times... a child will address a adult...ta... parents will correct a

child to use...staso as a sign of respect.

For example knowledge that is difficult...to transfer to another person... for instant stating to someone that Kabul is the Capital of Afghanistan is a piece of knowledge that can be written,...understood... transmitted easily.

However the ability to speak language use algebra or design something... complex requires a lot of different...knowledge experience so its not easy
to transfer.


Pashtunwali for instant if its all written.....a family can't be taught how to live in Pashtunwali by reading a book if...that was the case...then everyone would be..;Pashtun whomever wanted to...learn a different culture would...become that.

So there for my conclusion...to understand and live in...Pashtunwali is to be pashtun by blood.

Live a Pashtun life..as i don't see manuals being held that you do this or that by families..........to live in pashtunwali.

Pashtunwali is a code of natural living cannot be learned...its in your blood

embedded.

Pashtunwali dates back to pre-Islamic...times..its a code of life.

[Blue Flower]

Our Way Of Life

Pashtunwali is a code of life for the Pakhtuns , these values are about 3000 years old and are the basic criteria of a Pakhtun.

Melmastia (hospitality) - Showing hospitality and profound respect to all visitors, regardless of distinctions of race, religion, national affiliation as well as economic status and doing so without any hope of remuneration or favour. Pashtuns will go to great extents to show their hospitality.

Nanawatai (asylum) - Derived from the verb meaning to go in, this is used for protection given to a person who requests protection against his/her enemies. The people are protected at all costs, in many cases even people running from the law must be given refuge until the situation is clarified. It can also be used when the vanquished party 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 enemy's house). A more famous example of this code is of Navy Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Marcus Luttrell, the sole surviving member of a US Navy SEAL team that was ambushed by Taliban fighters. PO1 Luttrell evaded the enemy for days before stumbling upon members of the Sabray tribe who realized the wounded SEAL needed assistance. He was taken to the village and protected by the tribal chief, who even sent word to nearby US forces of PO1 Luttrell's location.

Badal (justice) - To seek justice or take revenge against the wrongdoer. This applies to injustices committed yesterday or 1000 years ago if the wrongdoer still exists. Justice in Pashtun lore needs elaborating: even a mere taunt (or "Paighor") is regarded as an insult - which can only usually be redressed by shedding of the taunter's blood (and if he isn't available, then his next closest male relation). This in turn leads to a blood feud that can last generations and involve whole tribes with the loss of hundreds of lives. Normally blood feuds in this all male dominated setup are then settled in a number of ways.

Tureh (bravery) - A Pashtun must defend his land/property, family and women from incursions wherever he or she might reside. A Pashtun should always stand brave against tyranny and he should always be able to defend his property, family, women and the honour of his name. Death can follow if anyone mistreats these traits.

Sabat (loyalty) - Loyalty must be paid to one's family, friends, and tribe members. Loyalty is a must and a Pashtun can never become disloyal as this would be utterly shameful towards themselves and their families.

Imandari (righteousness) - A Pashtun must always strive towards thinking good thoughts, speaking good words and doing other good deeds. Pashtuns must behave respectfully towards all creations including people, animals and the environment around them. Pollution of the environment or its destruction is against the Pashtunwali.

Isteqamat - Trust in God (known as "Allah" in Arabic and "Khudai" in Pashto). The notion of trusting in the one Creator generally comports to Islamic idea of belief in only one God (tawheed).

Ghayrat (self honour or dignity) - Pashtuns must maintain their human dignity. Honour has great importance in Pashtun society and most other codes of life are aimed towards the preservation of one's honour or pride. 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.

Namus (Honor of women) - A Pashtun must defend the honor of Pashtun women at all costs and must protect them from vocal and physical harm

[Michin Khel]

Lol because i mentioned you, you felt the need to reappear for clarification. You disappeared after your intro thread when i asked you a very deep question about politics of multan.

[Blue Flower]

Dear Luffy

Lol because i mentioned you, you felt the need to reappear for clarification. You disappeared after your intro thread when i asked you a very deep question about politics of multan.

Sir i answered your question day after in that introduction see it. I have never given clarifications before so why now brother.

[Darweshkhel]

It was documented by our forefathers long time ago, how about that? Long before colonial times, maybe during times of Ahmad Shah Baba. How many wars did we fight since then, civilizations have been destroyed. Thousands of historical documents were destroyed by enemies. Have yall forgot even in most recent times, ten years ago we have seen Taliban burning books..
Ahmad Shah Baba was king and didn't have historians at court? Come on.. Not one single Pashtun was able to grab a pen and write down fundamentals of Pashtunwali, his culture and traditions, so his children could preserve it? I don't buy it.

[IamDZJ]

luffy could you try not arguing like women all the time?