The Pashtun

Anthropology 105 Research Assignment

Presented by Chris Matthews

Overview
The Pashtun, (pronounced PASH-toon) which are also known as Pushtun, Pashtoon, Pathan, and Pakhtun, are a people located in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Afghanistan, as well as, northwestern Pakistan. Several tribes, which are organized into clans, sub-clans, and families based on patriarchy, lead to well organized tribes. The Pashtun continue to thrive as one of the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

Location and Population

The Pashtun make up approximately 15.42% of Pakistans 174 million population and 42% of Afghanistans 29 million people
(https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/fields/2075.html?countryName=Afghanistan&countryCode=a f&regionCode=sas&#af)

About 60 tribes each maintain their own territory Specific population numbers are unknown, as many Pashtun have been displaced.
Pashtun locations in gray

History
Much is unknown about the history of these people Oral tradition and folklore tell varying stories of their beginnings.

The origins of the Pashtun are unclear. Pashtun tradition asserts that they are descended from Afghana, grandson of King Saul of Israel, though most scholars believe it more likely that they arose from an intermingling of ancient Aryans from the north or west with subsequent invaders. Several Pashtun tribes are known to have moved from Afghanistan to Pakistan between the 13th and 16th century.
(http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/445546/Pashtun)

Settlements
Traditionally the Pashtun are a nomadic people, primarily herders, who move frequently

Typical homes are made from mud and/or brick Because of ongoing conflict, today many settlements sit in ruins

Settlements cont.
Architecture includes public and private areas of the house because women are not to interact with strangers. Most families sleep together in one room, where a mattress is laid in the evening. Very basic furnishings make up the rest of the house. A large portion of Pashtun continue to be nomadic and rely on tents for housing.

Subsistence
Landowners often send family members to work in cities. Poor workers are tenant farmers on the land. They poor workers, often in debt, are dependent on their landlords. Major crops are wheat, rice, barley, corn, almonds and fruits. Poppy cultivation, used for heroin trade, is a major source of cash.

is

Religion

The primary religion of the Pashtun is Sunni Islam

Orthodox view of Islam People of Tradition

Six Articles of Belief 1. Belief in God, (Allah) the one and only one worthy of all worship 2. Belief in the Angels 3. Belief in the Books sent by Allah 4. Belief in all the Messengers sent by Allah 5. Belief in the Day of Judgment and in the Resurrection (life after death). 6. Belief in Destiny

Religion cont.
Automatically considered Muslim at birth
Male circumcision and birth celebration coincide Children begin practicing rituals of prayer and fasting at an early age A call to prayer is whispered in the ear of the child at birth

Pashtunwali
Ethical code that rules Pashtun life
hospitality Revenge for any perceived injustice protecting one's "women, gold and land" admission of guilt for a wrong committed

Marriage and Role of Women

The male is the dominant head of the household. Marriage is arranged by the bride and grooms parents When men marry, the bride moves into the father-in-laws home.
The grooms parents agree to pay in cash an agreed upon amount to the girl's parents on the day of marriage. A part of the payment, is made on the spot. The rest of the money is paid on the marriage day.

Marriage and Role of Women cont.

Most women have very few rights. There is a high illiteracy rate among women. Women often take care of large extended families. Swara is a tradition practiced where a woman relative is given to someone to solve a dispute. Although, a few women work jobs and have moved to powerful positions, much work towards equal rights remain.

Family
Tribal groups are divided into sub-tribes, clans, and families. Households may include: Nuclear families. Extended families. Multigenerational families. Families are patriarchal in structure and headed by the most senior male. There is a high level of birthrate and low level of divorce.

Economy and Politics

The Pashtun people are at an emerging point, politically and economically, during this time in history. (This presentation will
focus on the economy of the Pashtun in Afghanistan, as it is the most densely populated area.)

Civil war and international conflict have caused an economic upheaval. For the Pashtuns, as well as all of Afghanistan. "Pashtuns are at the heart of insurgency in both
Pakistan and Afghanistan," said Hassan Abbas, research fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. "Because they have been used and abused in the last three decades by regional as well as international players. Their social fabric has been torn to smithereens and their tribal ethos has been under severe stress and strain due to the rise of fanatical religious elements. Pashtuns today are a victim of circumstances. - Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009686374_pashtunistan19.html

Economy and Politics cont.

Pashtun politics reflect the greater nation of Afghanistan Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic, which recently has been reframed to include executive, legislative, and judicial branches An elected president, currently Hamid Karzi, serves as head of state, along with two vice-presidents and an appointed cabinet of ministers. Currently, Afghanistan is largely influenced by NATO and the United States.

Economy and Politics cont. President Karzi

Ethnic Pashtun Chosen as interim president in 2002 Elected president in 2004 and 2009 Denounces the opposing Taliban Khair Muhammad Karzai, his grandfather was head of the Popalzai tribe of the Pashtun

Economy and Politics cont.

Constitution
"Freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance with provisions of this constitution. Every Afghan shall have the right, according to provisions of law, to print and publish on subjects without prior submission to state authorities. Directives related to the press, radio and television as well as publications and other mass media shall be regulated by law. Article 34

Newly approved in 2004 Executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government Islam is the state religion Right to free speech Equal rights for men and women Pashto and Dari are official languages.

Economy and Politics cont.

Agriculture is credited for the major source of the economy Fruits Nuts Wheat Poppies (for opium trade) Small scale industry and service also make up the Pashtun (Afghan) economy 36% of the population live below the poverty line

World Fact Book

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/

Two Faces of the Pashtun

Taliban
Islamic Militia Group Has ruled Afghanistan at various periods Follow strict interpretations of Pashtunwali Known for unfair treatment of women Known for violent massacres in Afghanistan Alliance with Al-Qaeda Small insurgency minority of Pashtuns

Two Faces of the Pashtun cont.

Badshah Khan and Non-Violence
Social activism and reform used to benefit the Pashtuns Founder of schools and advocate of education Led non-violent political opposition Formed close relationship with Mahatma Gandhi Champion of womens rights Died under house arrest in 1988 Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Legacy continues through family, history, literature, and film

Concluding Remarks
The Pashtun are a misunderstood people, with a varied history. While struggling with their own survival and identity as a culture, they have not only been subjugated to extensive violence, but massacre and oppression by ruling nations and terrorists. As American citizens continue to form relationships and provide economic support to the Pashtuns, we must be careful to study and become aware of the culture and true nature of these people. We must not judge the worth of the whole of a people based solely on the violent acts of a few. It is imperative to come to an understanding of the depth of history and traditions that have contributed to this culture today. As the Pashtuns rise from the ashes of war and oppression, we have the opportunity to share in relief and support to a community that can thrive, and write new histories within their own cultural context.

Bibliography
Easwaran, Eknath 1999 Nonviolent Soldier of Islam. Nilgiri Press Zaehner, R.C. 1888 Encyclopedia of the Worlds Religions. Barnes & Noble Books Vogelsang, Willem 2002 The Afghans, Blackwell Publishers Gannon, Kathy 2009 Pashtuns Key to Region's Past, Future Seattle Times Aug. 19, 2009 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009686374_pashtunistan19.html

Notable Biographies 5-1-11 http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Ge-La/Karzai-Hamid.html

Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4-29-11 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/445546/Pashtun World Fact Book 5-1-11 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html