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The Failing Pashtun Society
I am not an anthropologist nor is this piece an academic work. Neither is the purpose here to be contemptuous to that culture or belittle its value system however non-functional and self-destructive that value system has become. It is based purely on my impressions during a three month long stay in the Pashtun land closely watching and experiencing the life style and culture of the people.
Yes societies do fail and they fail when they lose the harmony and symphony among its components. The five basic components of the human societies that may deter or promote social change are: population, culture, material products, social organization and social institutions.
Two major developments which actually affected the social organization of Pashtun society took place at the same time. The soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the opening up of the Middle East market in 1970s disturbed that harmony and actually changed the network of relationship among the members of the Pashtun society. The traditional Khan who held social positions and political roles were replaced by the prayer leaders or by those who stood lower in the social hierarchy. The power of argument and violence shifted to the Mosque making it the centre of power. Hujra (guest house) has been losing its power.
This social change was too sudden and too drastic and it kind of accelerated reversed the journey from tribal society to a primitive society rather than a modern society. Historically every society pass through a tumultuous period where it foregoes its traditional forms of social organization and adopts modern forms based on function and efficiency.
During the last three decades, this society has become less traditional and more religious and ritualistic but at the same times faithless. Crime and criminals are being glorified. These criminals with Mullahs in a new social role lead Jirgas to decide matters ranging from financial matters to land dispute to family conflicts. Once considered an honour based society, Pashtun society has now turned into a completely materialistic society losing its sense of goodness. Money is worshiped irrespective of its source. How at times I would feel suffocated listening to tales of moral excellence of certain individuals who in fact got rich either because of drugs business or by any other unfair means.
The whole value system has changed. It was considered honourable to be introvert and speak less but today backbiting has become a favourite pastime for Pashtuns. Treachery and betrayal are common things. Greed, deceit, jealousy and hypocrisy have become the highlights of that society. What makes people happy is not their personal achievement or enrichment but the loss of their fellow villagers.
The traditional code of ‘Pashtunwali’ does not exist anymore. Rather no sense of society or community exists. The social fabric has collapsed. Goodness is not appreciated rather it is being discouraged. Theft, lying, cheating and fighting is no more considered odious in that society. One hears frequently that money symbolizes power and since it’s a power hungry society one should get it by whatever means he can. What is really disheartening is the lack of realization that this society is going into the wrong direction and since no sense of reform.
It is no more considered honourable to be truthful and keep your honourable commitment rather people consider it smart to cheat. Straightforwardness was the virtue of Pashtuns and their word of mouth was considered commitment that had to be honoured come what may but it’s not the case anymore. People back out from their commitments with ease and one hears this expression regularly; da khula da ka sa dee? Is this a mouth or what?
When I expressed my desire to launch an informal school that would run on local donations, kind of a payback to the society in which I grew up, I was advised by my family and friends to shun such ideas just because I am an irreligious person. I was asked to go to the village mosque at least on Friday to show that I am a religious person and the idea of opening up school was not meant for importing and instilling secular ideas in the minds of children. This made me feel outsider and misfit in my own town, among my own people. There was a strange kind of unease that I felt roaming the streets where my childhood was spent and hardly anyone was there who could feel my pain.
In the process of history Societies do change and it has to change according to the needs and requirements of the time. But in the case of Pashtun society, people are confused and suffer from a sense of failure to comprehend that the developments that have gripped their society is for the good or otherwise.
Once considered an honour based society, Pashtun society has now turned into a completely materialistic society losing its sense of goodness
Do societies fail? This was the question I kept asking myself when after a decade of dis-connection; I was back in the land where I grew up. It was an enriching but at the same times a very disheartening experience.I am not an anthropologist nor is this piece an academic work. Neither is the purpose here to be contemptuous to that culture or belittle its value system however non-functional and self-destructive that value system has become. It is based purely on my impressions during a three month long stay in the Pashtun land closely watching and experiencing the life style and culture of the people.
Yes societies do fail and they fail when they lose the harmony and symphony among its components. The five basic components of the human societies that may deter or promote social change are: population, culture, material products, social organization and social institutions.
Two major developments which actually affected the social organization of Pashtun society took place at the same time. The soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the opening up of the Middle East market in 1970s disturbed that harmony and actually changed the network of relationship among the members of the Pashtun society. The traditional Khan who held social positions and political roles were replaced by the prayer leaders or by those who stood lower in the social hierarchy. The power of argument and violence shifted to the Mosque making it the centre of power. Hujra (guest house) has been losing its power.
This social change was too sudden and too drastic and it kind of accelerated reversed the journey from tribal society to a primitive society rather than a modern society. Historically every society pass through a tumultuous period where it foregoes its traditional forms of social organization and adopts modern forms based on function and efficiency.
During the last three decades, this society has become less traditional and more religious and ritualistic but at the same times faithless. Crime and criminals are being glorified. These criminals with Mullahs in a new social role lead Jirgas to decide matters ranging from financial matters to land dispute to family conflicts. Once considered an honour based society, Pashtun society has now turned into a completely materialistic society losing its sense of goodness. Money is worshiped irrespective of its source. How at times I would feel suffocated listening to tales of moral excellence of certain individuals who in fact got rich either because of drugs business or by any other unfair means.
The whole value system has changed. It was considered honourable to be introvert and speak less but today backbiting has become a favourite pastime for Pashtuns. Treachery and betrayal are common things. Greed, deceit, jealousy and hypocrisy have become the highlights of that society. What makes people happy is not their personal achievement or enrichment but the loss of their fellow villagers.
The traditional code of ‘Pashtunwali’ does not exist anymore. Rather no sense of society or community exists. The social fabric has collapsed. Goodness is not appreciated rather it is being discouraged. Theft, lying, cheating and fighting is no more considered odious in that society. One hears frequently that money symbolizes power and since it’s a power hungry society one should get it by whatever means he can. What is really disheartening is the lack of realization that this society is going into the wrong direction and since no sense of reform.
It is no more considered honourable to be truthful and keep your honourable commitment rather people consider it smart to cheat. Straightforwardness was the virtue of Pashtuns and their word of mouth was considered commitment that had to be honoured come what may but it’s not the case anymore. People back out from their commitments with ease and one hears this expression regularly; da khula da ka sa dee? Is this a mouth or what?
When I expressed my desire to launch an informal school that would run on local donations, kind of a payback to the society in which I grew up, I was advised by my family and friends to shun such ideas just because I am an irreligious person. I was asked to go to the village mosque at least on Friday to show that I am a religious person and the idea of opening up school was not meant for importing and instilling secular ideas in the minds of children. This made me feel outsider and misfit in my own town, among my own people. There was a strange kind of unease that I felt roaming the streets where my childhood was spent and hardly anyone was there who could feel my pain.
In the process of history Societies do change and it has to change according to the needs and requirements of the time. But in the case of Pashtun society, people are confused and suffer from a sense of failure to comprehend that the developments that have gripped their society is for the good or otherwise.
money, good looking and to have an house is the most important thing
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