La
Licorne
PEOPLE
The ethnic and social fabric of Pakistan is as complicate as the history of this sizable and varied country. In an effort to draw some global lines one could distinguish three major groups: the Punjabi in the north-east, the Sindi in the south and the Pathans in the western frontier provinces. To this must be added that migration and settlement throughout the centuries have created additional sedentary and nomadic nations. As an outsider I can only give some off-hand particulars about it. Under the protection of swamps, upgrowth, mountains and deserts smaller tribal entities have taken their chance to persevere, at least for some time, for example in Baluchistan, Kashmir, Swat, Kaghan, Kohistan and Kalash. It is not without reason that the northern and eastern territories are officially indicated as tribal areas. The nomadic Gujars leaving every spring the southern plains to find in summertime grazing for their cattle and goats in the northern hills are another minor but impacting factor in the country.
|
|
|
The traditions are varied and have strong roots. They are reflected in as many ways of live; for example the way of housing is telling. Take the traditional city dweller that lives in his old brick house with carved woodwork and flat rooftops in the inner city, or the educated urban inhabitant of a western styled house in one the classy residential areas. Most impressive are the strongholds in the country site of the tribal areas, which are built to shy enemies, burglars, womanizers and nearly everybody else away.
Tradition as one of the most significant factors for development is difficult to understand for an outsider. Most women loyally follow tradition, but are subject to the whims of fathers, husbands, brothers and even sons, who appear to have a free license for maintaining the rules.
|
For women in rural Pakistan tradition is translated into purdah (literally: the veil), which governs their freedom of movement and hence their ability to take part in society. The most traditional woman is not leaving the homestead without the "burqa", while the more liberal ones permit "chadar" or even "dupattas". Personally I can't understand why girls and women have to lower their eyes and cover their face for me while their younger sisters are granting me an open look. The main rule is to observe purdah to the extent of undisputed behavior; tradition governs how to behave accordingly. Low education in combination with an isolated living environment is a fertile base for gossip about each other, and this strengthens the commitment of the rural woman to respectability and risks-avoidance in that matter. No doubt a shuttered house and a high walled compound provide safe havens for observing the rules, and extending penalties when they are trespassed. |
|
For most rural women some freedom of movement in neighborhood and village is allowed. Taking work on the land out the men's hand is permitted as well. In cities the rooftops are for the women, just as the the streets are for men. The entire way of life and notably the employment status of the female population are heavily dependent of purdah. Educated urban women may have come to term with men. In rural areas the employment possibility for women is practically absent. So a high percentage of the female population above age 14 is married and engaged in housekeeping, pro-creation and caring for husband and family. Altogether the manner in which women observe purdah varies from confinement to the compound in the most traditional rural areas, as well as in some old urban quarters, to free movement of educated and working urban women. It is noteworthy that really poor woman cannot afford the luxury of purdah and are granted a more lenient behavior. Also nomadic and other tribes as the Gujars and the Kalash do not know the veil.
As time goes on mores are changing and young women and men alike would like fewer restrictions. I know Pakistan long enough to have seen teenagers grow up to adults. Ateeq, a young friend in Peshawar, had secret meetings with the girl picked by his parents. After his marriage he confided to me: 'Before my marriage I wasn’t content, but from the day I met my wife I am happy'. In the wake of other men coming home from working abroad and the introduction of electricity, television, dish antennas and video recorders the entire world is on show for the villagers. Liberation is certainly the direction of change as we have seen elsewhere, but double morals and reactionary forces have a long life as well.
|
|
The small ones staying with Mom |
|
|
|
Carpet knitting boys. Indispensable for many a
poor. Easily criticized by those who can afford the luxury |
