Lok Virsa, Islamabad, in collaboration with the Pushto Academy at the University of Peshawar has accomplished a highly commendable project by bringing out 40 booklets — 10 in English and 30 in Urdu — on various aspects of Pakhtoons including their history, culture and social customs and traditions.
Prominent researchers, scholars and writers have tried their best to trace the origin of the race, their art and crafts and literary trends that have shaped their very fabric down the ages.
The origin of Pakhtoons has always been an interesting debate for both Pakhtoon and non-Pakhtoon historians, intellectuals and writers.
Unfortunately, for various reasons, Pakhtoons have not been able to write their own history though a large number of theories exist concerning their true origin. Different historians have propounded their own theories from the Greek historian Herodotus to Mughal historian Abdul Qasim Fareshtah and even several British writers.
Among these theories, two gained much currency and popularity yet divided Pakhtoon historians. One states that they are one of the lost tribes of Israel while the other argues that they are Aryans.
Hanif Khalil, a young writer and research scholar, has mentioned these two theories in detail in his booklet but ends up refuting both. He has reaffirmed the theory already propounded by eminent scholar and poet Prof Pareshan Khattak in his book Pakhtoon Kon Hai (Who is a Pakhtoon?).
Hanif quotes a non-Pakhtoon writer who argues that they are not one of the lost tribes of Israel as reasons advanced in support of this claim are noticeably curved noses of the Pakhtoons, but this peculiarity is equally striking in the portraits of the Koshan monarchs of the first century CE who had no Hebrew blood in their veins.
Hanif concludes that Pakhtoons are a unique race existing since the pre-historic era with all their characteristics rooted in social norms and cultural values. Also, he dilates upon the evolution of Pushto saying that there were many accents of the Pushto through the ages but two accents became prominent, one is a 'soft Peshawari accent' with a dominant Yousafzai verbatim while the other is a 'hard Kandahari accent'.
Brig (retd) Gulman Sher Afridi traces the origin of the Hujra tradition among the Pakhtoons. He argues that the word hujra might have been a changed form of a Greek word 'Agora' which meant an open space used for markets
or public gathering as the concept of male houses exists in many societies.
Pakhtoonwali is yet another important component of the social fabric. Dr Rajwali Shah sheds light on its pros and cons. It is an unwritten constitution that governs and controls Pakhtoon society by enacting various other bylaws that support its structure.
Nadir Shah Shinwari describes the Pakhtoon jirga, which plays a significant role in formulating and implementing centuries old rules and regulations. Another interesting title by Prof Dr Rajwali Shah Khattak profiles various professions adopted by the Pakhtoons.
Nisar Mohammad Khan, former station director of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Peshawar, has researched the historical evolution of Pushto music.
Alexander the Great, he informs us, had left behind some cultural elements that helped create a lasting legacy. Ghachagah an ancient musical instrument still exists in its original form in the southern districts of the Frontier province and the Marwat tribes living there still play a tune known to the Greeks as 'kasar'.
Regarding Pushto folk music, Nisar maintains that it not only sheds light on the romantic side of Pakhtoons but also shows their true expression of sympathy and feelings of humanism and peace.
Prof Dr Salma Shaheen mentions some important musical instruments in her booklet while Mohammad Javed Khalil records popular versified folk tales in Pushto.
Similarly, Prof Dawar Khan Dawood has translated some interesting Pushto riddles into English. Renowned research scholar and writer Hamesh Khalil unveils poems composed by folk poets during their struggle against the Sikhs and the British. These poems would at times instigate the locals to a very large extent.
Prof Dr Arif Nasim mentions rituals and wedding ceremonies practiced in the Frontier, especially by the Yousafzai tribe. A booklet co-authored by Salma Nasim and Shahida Nasim provides a very informative account of different sports played by various tribes. Two other titles highlight the history and traditions of the ancient city of Peshawar.
Musharraf Khan's account of the historic Khyber Pass offers important information on the strategic significance of the land and the tribes living there.
Dr Mazharul Haq, the director general of Lok Virsa, intends to publish an encyclopedia covering all these titles in the near future. For now they are available for Rs100 each and provide a crash course on the Pakhtoons.
