1. What is Pashto?
It is the native language of the Pashtun people of South-Central Asia.
2. Who are Pashtuns?
Pashtuns speak Pashto and follow Pashtun-walai. Geographically they are found in areas from Kabul to Peshawar in North and from Kandahar to Quetta in south. All Pashtuns call themselves Afghans. Pashtuns living in areas now constituting Pakistan also call themselves Pakistanis.
3. What is Pashtun-walai or Pakhtun-walai?
It is a concept of living or philosophy for the Pashtun people and is regarded as an honour code and a non-written law for the people. Though Pashtunwalai dates back to the pre-Islamic times, its practice by the Pashtuns does not necessarily contravene Islamic principles. It is practiced by Pashtuns in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and by Pashtuns around the world. For a Pashtun his Pashtun-walai comes first and then his religion. If you want to know what Pashtun-walai is, ask any Pashtun around you and he will explain it to you. Some elements of Pashtun-walai are Nanewatai (Forgiving your enemy) Melmastia (Hospitality) Ghundi (Balance of power) Rohgbar (Way of Greeting).
4. Women in Pashtun Society
Women are the wombs of the patrilineage which is the source of honor and continuity. The Pashtun woman is not resentful of purdah and expects a man to have Toora (literally Sword, but means bravery) and Marrana (chivalry and courage). Women feel proud of husbands possessing such laudable attributes. They possess courage themselves and admire such qualities in others
5. Who is real Pashtun?
There is no such thing as real or fake Pashtun. Pashtun is one who follows Pashtun-walai. Life of Urban Pashtun may be different from Tribal Pashtun but the basics of Pashtun-walai have not changed.
6. Why there are no sects in Pashtuns?
There is no concept of sects in Pashtuns because Pashtuns embraced Islam during the life of Holy Prophet (SAW). Kase or Qais who was given the title Qais-Abdur rashid by Holy Prophet(saw) is said to be the common ancestor of all Pashtuns, all tribes being progeny from his sons or daughters.
7. Why there are no Sardars, Nawabs and Waderas in Pashtuns?
The titles of Nawabs and sardars were bestowed by the British to the people in return for their cooperation. People with such titles do exist but only in Pashtun areas now constituting Pakistan.
8. What is meaning of "Khan" in Pashtuns?
In Pashtun tribal society Khan is title of the person who is head of the tribe.
Historical perspective of the "Khan"
1206: firstly Muhammad Ghori appointed his governor at Delhi and the nobles during that period were called khans.
1742-77: Ahmad shah Abdali rewarded his warriors with the title of khans who fought against the British.
1919-29: King Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan had the title of Khan.
1857-1947: During British rule in subcontinent, they gave the title of "Khan Bhadur" to Muslims and "Rai Bahadur to Hindus for their loyalty towards British.
9. Why prejudices formed against Pashtuns?
People of Indian subcontinent were enslaved for more than 1000 years. There was not a single local who ruled India at any point in history.
Among many Rulers from Muhammad bin Qasim to the last viceroy of British, many were Pashtuns/Afghans such as Ghaznavi, Ghori, Khilji, lodhi, Abdali, etc.
Prejudices against the conquerors are found in many cultures around the world so it is a natural process.
10- Common Stereotypes?
Most people call Pashtuns as Lala, The word lala in Pashto means "elder brother" so not all Pashtuns are elder brothers. Pashtuns are also called as Khan Saheb or Haji Saheb. Every Pashtun has his own name, just like the person who is reading this has his own name. Not all Pashtuns have performed the holy journey to Makkah to be called as Haji Saheb.
Pashtuns are also called as Pathan, it is actually a Hindi word mostly used by indians to refer to Pashtuns in India. At last there is the Taliban badge. There is no such thing as Taliban in Pashtun-walai. For a Pashtun his Pashtun-walai comes first and then his religion. Taliban refers to version of Islam imported from Saudi Arab by Pakistan.
