Pukhtoon also spelled Pashtun or Pathan, Pashto speaking people of Southeastern Afghanistan and North Western Pakistan. They constitute the majority of the population of Afghanistan and bore the exclusive name of Afghan before that came to denote any native of the present land area of Afghanistan. Pashtoon tradition asserts that they are descended from Afghana, grandson of King Saul of Israel, though most scholars believe it more likely that they arose from an intermingling of ancient Aryans from the north or west with subsequent invaders. Several Pukhtoon tribes are known to have moved from Afghanistan between the 13the and 16th century.
Pukhtoon history, culture and traditions are very old. Pukhto language is as old as 5000 years. This is language but their constitution, culture, traditions and customs. All Pukhtoons spend their life within the circle of Pukhto. They spend their life in this discussion as "this is Pukhto and this is not". They move around within this circle of Pukhto, and going out of it is disobeying Pukhto constitution and the law.
There are estimated to be about 7,500,000 Pukhtoon in Afghanistan and 14,000,000 in Pakistan. They comprise about 60 tribes of varying size and importance, each of which occupies a particular territory. In Afghanistan, where Pukhtoon are the predominated ethnic group, the main tribes are the Durrani South of Kabul and the Ghilzy east of Kabul. In Pakistan, Pukhtoon predominate north of Quetta between the Suleman range and the Indus River. In the hill areas the main tribes are, from South to North, the Kakar, Sherani, and Ustarana South of the Gomal River, the Mahsud, Derwesh Khel, Waziri and Bitani between the Gomal River and Thal.
The Turi, Bangash, Orakzai, Afridi and Shinwari from Thal to the Khyber pass and the Mahmand, Utman Khal, Tarklani and Yusufzai north and northeast of the Khyber. The settled areas include lowland tribes subject to direct administration by the Provincial government. The main tribes there are, from South to North, the Balauchi and Khattak from the Khurram River to Nowshera, and the Khalil and Mandan in the vale of Peshawar.
Most Pukhtoons speak dialects of Northeastern Pukhto, with the rest speaking dialects of southwestern Pukhto. Every nation has its own distinctive qualities, which it has developed with the passage of time and due to which it can be recognized. The Pukhtoons too, have their typical qualities, which distinguish them from others and from their identity.
Pukhto is not only the language of the Pukhtoons but it's a circle in which they spend their life in. The "Pukhtoonwali" circle Traditions and customs of Pukhtoons are embodied in "Pushtunwali", the way of Pukhtoon.
A Pukhtoon is a mixture of extremes, that is, all his emotions spike whenever stirred. It is as if he has been shaped like this by the geography of the area, where he has been living since times unknown. The region where they live is rough and mountainous, where all seasons reach extreme degrees. A Pukhtoons love is unfathomable. His anger has no limits. His hatred is as strong as his attachment to a friend and son. A typical Pukhtoon leads a rough life but is equally tender at heart. With it, is attached an admirable quality of his natural innocence. This innocence breeds beautiful qualities such as truthfulness, sincerity and affection.
Ego is the strongest characteristic of this man. once he attaches his ego to something, he will perish with it but not relinguish it. Glimpses of his ego can be seen in the social code of Pukhto.
Brave and Gallant
Very brave and gallant as a nation and are known for their qualities since centuries. It can be proved in theirs struggles with other nations over time. This quality is matched by their love for weapons. There is a common saying among Pukhtoons that a gun is the mark of a man. All these make them different in nature.
Another desirable quality of a Pukhtoon is that he is a born politician. To deceive him is impossible. He sticks to the rules in the beginning, but in case of a breach from the other side, he knows very well how to play the game
Self Respect
Self respect is a very important characteristic of Pukhtoon. A true Pukhtoon will sacrifice everything for his/her honour and self-respect.
Shrines
There are shrines held in special regard, viz, that of "Kaka Shahib" in Khattak area, "Pir baba" in Swat and "Pir Maankee" also in Khattak area. People have great belief in the piety of these Mazaars and they visit them frequently.
Pukhtoonwali
Pukhtoons have their own social system called "Pukhto". It has evolved with the passage of time and centuries of practical experience. Honour is the essence life. One cannot be called a true Pukhtoon, if he has no feelings of honour and self-esteem. Pukhtoonwali is an unwritten constitution, which is practiced by all Pukhtoons since 5000 years and consists of customs, ideas and attitudes shared by all Pukhtoons and which makes it culture, are transmitted from generation to generation by learning and practice process. This "Pukhtoonwali" is guided by an unwritten system of rewards and punishments for honouring or violating it.

Pukhto has three basic principles
• The first one is to give shelter to those who demand it. If a quarrel has taken place and a person runs to save his life and demands shelter from another Pukhtoon, it is the duty of the latter to oblige.
• The second principal is not to leave a wrong doer unpunised. Taking revenge is a tradition and a basic requirement of Pukhto.
• The third principal is hospitality. The Pukhtoon is a hospitable person and the guest of a person is considered to be that of all who share the "hujra".
Hujra is a public place constructed by the members of a clan and is a common property. It is used for marriages, condolences, gatherings and musical programmes in the evening called "Tang Takor.
Pashto Culture
Culture is the historically determined level of social and human development. Being common to all mankind on the one hand, culture is a class phenomena, on the other hand socio-economic changes result in the formation of new types of cultures.
The Institutional Arrangement Hujra Hujra can be called a learning institute where Pukhtoons sit and decide about their political, economic and social problems and make decisions. This is a democratic institution. Every one had the right to speak in the above matters, but the decision is taken by the wise members of the "Jirga". Each Pukhtoon male is supposed to visit Hujra for having immediately available information about the village, the inhabitants of the village and about the other regions. Pukhtoons discuss various important issues, express their views, give suggestions to the Jirga members and then a consensus decision is taken after a through deliberation in the best interest of the community. Jirga is one of the important institution of Pukhtoon culture, it includes wise men with a lot of experience in deciding matters of social, economic and political matters.
This was the then Jirga decision, headed by Qias Abdul Rashid, who headed for Madina, met with the Prophet of Islam, and on return, advised all the Pukhtoon community to embrace Islam as it has the same code of life which the Pukhtoons have. This is why all the Pukhtoons living anywhere in the world are Muslims by birth.
The assembly or Jirga by which most community business both public and private, is settled in the NWFP as well as in the province of Balochistan, is probably the closest approach to Athenian democracy that has existed since the original. Jirga is typical of the Pathan society. Jirga regulates life at all levels requiring community attention within Tribal society. It also provides a mechanism by which the decisions or opinions of the tribe are communicated to Government and government's decisions are passed on to the tribes.
Pukhtoonwali is interpreted by jirga's frequently on the advice of particular families who are hereditary preservers of local customs. Throughout the tribal areas death is the penalty for murder, except in the case of a blood feud when the relations between the families involved and kind of provocation is taken in to account. In either case if the deceased relatives agree before a Jirga, blood money may be paid in lieu of execution of murderer, and obligations of "badal" (revenge) are deemed settled. If victim was a relative of the murderer, death by the sword is prescribed. Refusal to go to battle at the call of tribe is punished by "Jirga" , a fine, confiscation of property, and burning of house. Adultery is punished by death of both parties, the woman first. The wise men experienced persons, whose honesty, devotion, dedication is above question for upholding Pukhtoonwali in true spirit could be the member of the Jirga. Their every decision demonstrate their love and affection for Pukhtoonwali. Decisions, which the Jirga make, will have to be accepted by all and the violator is subject to punishment.
Internal or inter-tribal matters are decided on a basis of age-old conventions, customs and traditions of tribesmen. They are saved from unnecessary expenditure on litigation and waste of time. On other hand they are associated with administration and allowed to maintain law and order in area.
Amir Zeb HEC Islamabad