The Oscillating status of Pakhtunwali between Religious Extremism and Modernity: A Sociological Overview

Abstract

The current study was designed to find out the intricate interrelationships between the Pakhtun indigenous cultural ethos and radical-liberal influences, which have far-reaching repercussions for the socio-cultural pattern of the Pakhtun society. This study was conducted in two Tehsils of the two districts: Tehsil Barikot in Swat and Tehsil Adenzai in Lower Dir District. The rationale for choosing two different Tehsils was to analyse the historical experiences of both under the former princely states. The data was collected through in-depth interviews from a total of 30respondents, along with 8 FGDs. 15 interviews were conducted by the researcher in Tehsil Adenzai and 15 in the Tehsil Barikot. Likewise, 4 FGDs were conducted in Tehsil Adenzai and 4 in TehsilBarikot. The study reveals that Pakhtunwali, or the Pakhtun way of life, is hanging between the two outlandish concepts of modernity and religious extremism. Both factors have significant implications for the traditional structure of Pakhtunwali. The process of modernity and technological advancement had shattered the traditional patterns and introduced novelty in the political, social, cultural, economic and familial institutions of Pakhtuns. On the other hand, the religious extremism had also brought manifold changes in the social spectrum of Pakhtuns.