Source: Mohammad Enam Wak
WAK Foundation
Email: abdaliwak[at]yahoo.com

Mohammad Enam Wak is the author of the "History of Pashto" section. Hence all credit goes to him and if you have any question he will be pleased to answer them through his email.
 

The Pashtun Customs

Though Pathans are men of swords and guns yet the history of the Tribal areas is full of romance, traditions and glorious adventures. in spite of a though and rigid society, the Pathans have inherited a rich culture wit hall the rigidness on the hand and softness, romance and beauty on the other. The various Pathan clans and tribes, possess rich treasures of literature and poetry, folk, arts and dances, and colorful fairs and festivals. Tribal customs and traditions form an inseparable part of the Pakhtun society. These are close to the heart of every Pathan and are followed rigidly in the tribal policy inspite of the noticeable social changes.

The Pathan society has thousands of customs with little variations. This heterogeneity is mostly the result of geographical locations where a particular tribe is placed from centuries, making in turn all the tribes somewhat distinct from each other in respect of language, psyche, traditions, aspirations, and socio-cultural norms. Inspite of all this a constant and a pleasant uniformity of culture and language amongst them is amazing.
Here, only those Pathan customs, manners and usages are discussed which are nearly common to the entire Pakhtun society. At the very outset I would first describe Pakhtunwali which is not only a word in Pathan language, but also denotes their proud feelings and in a way their code of life.

مېلمستیا (Melmasthia)
ننواتی (Nanawati)
بدل (Badal)
ننګ (Nang)
پښتو (Pakhto)
غیرت (Ghairat)
مېړانه (MeRana)

The following are some of the words that find common usage in Tribal society, explaining at the same time a Pathan's way of life, his custom, his culture and his thinking and approach towards his fellow beings: