A critique of the negative values in the Pashtun society in the short stories of Noor ul Amin Yousafzai

Abstract

This study offers a scholarly analysis of negative values embedded in Pashtunwali, the unwritten Pashtun code of life, as depicted in the short stories of renowned Pashtun writer Noorul Amin Yousafzai. Pashtunwali is defined as a comprehensive, enduring system of social, cultural, and moral norms that regulate Pashtun communal life, encompassing both positive ideals (e.g., hospitality, honor, justice) and negative elements that often lead to societal harm. The study highlight several key negative values like Badal, (Revenge or retribution, perpetuating cycles of violence and feuds), Swarah (offering girl as compensation to end enmity), Peghor (the demand for revenge, often generational), Barmata (capturing other resources to obtain benefits) and Gondi ao Para (partisanship in conflicts). These values are contrasted with positive principles but critiqued for causing social discord, violence, generational trauma, and stagnation, often conflicting with modern ethics and Islamic values. Through detailed examination of Noor ul Amin Yousafzai's short stories, the study illustrates how these narratives portray destructive behaviors, internal human struggles, exploitation, and the need for societal reform. It is concluded that his short stories served as a mirror to Pashtun society, advocating peaceful evolution of Pashtunwali to prioritize harmony, justice, and progress while preserving cultural essence.