EPISTEME AND EXPERIENCES ABOUT PASHTUNWALI: THE STANDPOINT OF PASHTUN WOMEN OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pashtun societies are well studied by international and national scholars of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The existing scholarship largely presents a male perspective while explaining the nature, structure, and interpretation of Pashtunwali in Pashtun society. A rigid and fundamentalist view of Pashtun society is usually portrayed such as tarborwali, revenge, honor killings, etc. Our research work was focused specifically on the pashtun females’ experiences and episteme of transmission patterns of Pashtunwali—Pashtuns cardinal code of conduct, among Pashtun women in Pakistan. This study was carried out in three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)—namely, Charsadda, Karak, and Swat of Pakistan. Thirty-nine (39) Pashtun women having diverse backgrounds concerning age, education, and locale were in-depth interviewed for data collection. The data was analyzed through the thematic qualitative data analysis technique using Standpoint feminism (Sandra Harding and Dorothy Smith) as a major theoretical guide. The study has revealed the endowment of Pashtun women (especially mothers, grandmothers, and mothers-in-law) in preserving, sustaining, and transmitting the Pashtun value system towards the young generation (daughters). Unconditionally, Pashtun women (especially mothers) had a significant role in the creation and promotion of Pashtun culture through folklores, proverbs, songs, dress code, arts, literature, and by cooking traditional cuisine, etc. In Pashtun culture, notions of honor, dignity, and shame are described as driving fuel behind all cultural values and structures. The study reflected the perspective of Pashtun women that they were appreciative and insightful about the meaning, history, and cultural composition of Pashtunwali and their identity but at the same time, they were not benighted about the contemporary emerging challenges that have been faced by traditional Pashtun culture. Pashtun women highlighted that Pashtuns are ghairatmand –mind their words and commitments and never compromise on the basic principles. They emphasized that it is necessary to reconsider and revisit social heritage to better reflect on the changing notions and demands of the contemporary age. Hujras/Baithaks have been identified as the most celebrated and accustomed places in Pashtun society.

Keywords: Pashtunwali, Pashtun Women, Standpoint, Experiences