The Pathans

The Resource The Pathans
Label
The Pathans
Statement of responsibility
directed by Andre Singer
Contributor
Director
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
There are twelve million Pathans. Bound by a common language, a common heritage and the unifying force of Islam, these proud and independent people do not acknowledge the geographical boundary which divides them between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This film was shot at the same time as Khyber in Pakistan, close to the Afghan border. The Pathans accept no imposed leadership, from without or from within. Their laws are the decisions of the democratic assembly of the village, known as the jirga. To disobey the jirga is to court heavy penalties against which there is no appeal. Their code of living is called pukhtunwali the way of the Pathan. At its core are the principles of hospitality, personal honour and revenge. A man will fight to the death to avenge a wrong done to himself, his family or friends or, above all, his women. The film is noteworthy for the way in which it brings out the importance of these values. Their fierce loyalty, coupled with the independence of spirit which tolerates no formal leaders, makes the Pathans a formidable enemy, as the British once found out and, more recently, the Soviet invaders of Afghanistan have discovered
Member of
Additional physical form
Previously released as DVD.
Cataloging source
VaAlASP
Characteristic
videorecording
Date time place
Recorded in Pakistan
Language note
This edition in English
Runtime
39
Series statement
  • Disappearing world
  • Ethnographic video online, volume 2
Target audience
general

Context

Context of The Pathans

Work of

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