Pushun Culture

pashtun Culture
'''Pashtun culture''' is based on [[Pashtunwali]], which is an ancient way of life, as well as speaking of the [[Pashto language]] and wearing Pashtun dress. The culture of the [[Pashtun people]] is highlighted since at least the time of [[Herodotus]] (484-425 BC) or [[Alexander the Great]], when he explored the [[Afghanistan and Pakistan region in 330 BC. Over the different periods in history, the Pashtun culture has been influenced by the people of [[South Asia|South]] and [[Western Asia]] to a certain degree. For example, just like with most other cultures in the area, it has been fully [[Islamization|Islamised]] by [[Arab people|Arabs]] during the [[Caliphate]] period.

Holidays and special events
The biggest holidays for Pashtuns is [[Eid ul-Fitr]], [[Afghan Independence Day]] (August 19) and [[Partition of India|Pakistan Independence Day]] (August 14). Some also celebrate [[Nowruz]], the Persian New Year. During these holidays, Pashtuns set up [[festival]]s in which they usually have [[cookout]]s in parks and go to [[fair]]s.

Pashto poetry
Pashto literature and poetry
Afghanistan was noted for its poetic language even before the [[Islamic conquest of Afghanistan]]. The [[Pata Khazana]] contains [[Pashto literature and poetry|Pashto poetry]] written as far back as the 8th Century. Some notable poets from the region of Afghanistan-Pakistan include [[Amir Kror Suri]], [[Khushal Khan Khattak]], [[Rahman Baba]], [[Nazo Tokhi]], [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]], [[Timur Shah Durrani]], [[Shuja Shah Durrani]], [[Ghulam Muhammad Tarzi]], [[Khan Abdul Ghani Khan]], and many othersClassical Dari and Pashto Poets

Pashtun men usually gather at special events and listen to Pashto poetry. There are TV programs which broadcast such events to the wider Pashtun audiences, one TV program is on [[AVT Khyber]] channel in Pakistan with ''Amanullah Kakar'' as the presenter.

Music and dance
Pashto music

Traditional Pashto music is mostly [[klasik]] [[ghazals]], using [[rubab (instrument)|rubab]] or [[sitar]], [[tabla]], portable [[harmonium]], [[flute]] and several other musical instruments. Today's modern Pashto music is influenced by neighboring music such as [[Bollywood]] [[filmi]] as well as [[Western music|western]] or [[European music|European]].



Attan dance
In this dance, the dancers perform to the beat of the musician. This dance typically performed by men & women. It involves 2-5 steps, ending with a clap given while facing the center, after which the process is repeated again. The hip and arms are put in a sequential movement including left and right tilts, with the wrists twisting in sequence, with ultimately a hand is projected outward and brought in a 'scoop-like' fashion towards the center where the other hand meets it for a clap. This dance is typically performed with the musician dictating the duration and speed.

Khattak dance
The [[Khattak Dance]] is performed by the [[Khattak]] tribe, mainly in Pakistan but also in some eastern parts of Afghanistan.

Mahsud dance
A unique dance routine using rifles performed by the [[Mahsud]] tribe of [[Pashtuns]]. Originally it was used to dance at the time of war, but later on became a cultural dance. The dancers dance empty handed and require only large drums. Nowadays though it is danced with the guns in the dancers hand; loaded guns are taken in one hand, up to the beat of the drum the dancers move forward in a circle. After taking two and half steps, each dancer turns about, and cocks the gun. All the dancers do this in a uniform manner and by completing the turning steps they fire in the air simultaneously. The sound of each of the guns goes on one time and seems to be a single big bang.

Waziri dance
[[Waziristan]] is a large area and has particular Pashtun culture. Two drummers and a flute player play a particular tune. All the Wazirs standing around them. Two persons leave the circle; go dancing towards the drummers, and come back dancing in the same manner. During performing both the persons turn around two times at a time once towards each other facing face to face and once keeping faces in opposite direction. After doing this separately they march while dancing to the assembled crowd. As they reach the circle another pair of the performers start and moving forward in the same fashion.

Clothing
Pashtun dress:
Clothing worn by most Pashtun males.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pashtun dress]] of [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]].]]
Pashtun men usually wear [[salwar kameez]] with a [[turban]] or a [[pakul]] hat. In the [[Kandahar]] region young men usually wear different color [[Sindhi topi|topi]] and in the [[Peshawar]] region they wear white [[kufi]]s instead. Leaders or tribal chiefs sometimes wear a Karakul (hat)|karakul]] hat, like [[Hamid Karzai]] and others.
Women and girls wear traditional [[long dress]]es with a light piece of cloth used to cover their hair.

Buskashi and polo

Some Pashtuns in [[Central Asia]] participate in [[buzkashi]], which is a sport introduced in the region during the [[Mongol Empire|Mongol]] period from the 13th century and onward. The word "buz" means "[[goat]]" and "kashi" means "dragging" or "pulling" in the [[Persian language]]. The basic objective is to carry the headless carcass of a calf or goat around a flag and back to the starting point while on horseback with other riders trying to do the same thing by taking the carcass away from you. Not a team sport, it is every man for himself and that becomes apparent as soon as the game starts. It is played on a large open dusty field which does not appear to have many boundaries. The game is a microcosm of power politics in Afghanistan. Although buskashi is primarily an individual sport, alliances are built up between various players. Between the alliances, the strongest players finally take control (or in this case the remnants of a headless calf) and ride off to victory.