Authors Mirwais Hotaki
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In this Tweet, Andrew's inquiry led me to reflect.
During my time in the Taliban, I wondered how the issue of tribal interplay will be solved.
I will provide a basic synapsis & some thoughts & examples.
In some remote areas of Afghanistan, tribal dictum is seen as axiomatic in family matters, irrespective if Taliban (TB) exist.
In some rural villages, not all tribal elders are pro-TB & some are pro-Kabul Regime (KR). (recall the son who is TB & father KR)
It may be that the TB presence is reflected by 2-3 men in the entire village.
Though the TB do sustain control, in some cases, due to the cultural context, they wont override an elder's position. Why?
Here's an example. Suppose Bobzai is a tribal elder
Bobzai has 2 daughters & a son. Now the son could be a TB, yet Bobzai himself adheres to Pashtunwali.
Though the TB maintain control over the area, if Bobzai orders his son that I don't want my daughters to leave the home,
the son won't likely challenge the position of his father due to Pashtunwali.
Although, Islamically, the son is correct that his sisters should be allowed in school.
Yet, in this case, culturally, to save "face", the son may keep the dispute hidden.
During my time in the Taliban, I wondered how the issue of tribal interplay will be solved.
I will provide a basic synapsis & some thoughts & examples.
Taliban often try to score political points by claiming they're not against women's education; that it's "the people" who don't want it. Why does a group that imposes its rule need "the people's" approval for anything?
— Andrew Quilty (@andrewquilty) December 30, 2020
In some remote areas of Afghanistan, tribal dictum is seen as axiomatic in family matters, irrespective if Taliban (TB) exist.
In some rural villages, not all tribal elders are pro-TB & some are pro-Kabul Regime (KR). (recall the son who is TB & father KR)
It may be that the TB presence is reflected by 2-3 men in the entire village.
Though the TB do sustain control, in some cases, due to the cultural context, they wont override an elder's position. Why?
Here's an example. Suppose Bobzai is a tribal elder
Bobzai has 2 daughters & a son. Now the son could be a TB, yet Bobzai himself adheres to Pashtunwali.
Though the TB maintain control over the area, if Bobzai orders his son that I don't want my daughters to leave the home,
the son won't likely challenge the position of his father due to Pashtunwali.
Although, Islamically, the son is correct that his sisters should be allowed in school.
Yet, in this case, culturally, to save "face", the son may keep the dispute hidden.