PASHTO MATALUNA (PROVERBS) AS ENSHRINED CARRIERS OF WISDOM OF PASHTUN ELDERS: NARRATIVES OF PASHTUN WOMEN OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pashto Mataluna (proverbs) are considered the vital organs of the Pashtun cultural context. Amongst the other factors, the transmission of Pashtun culture from one generation to the next generation is also dependent on the traditional wisdom of Pashtun elders. The elders, often, present and transmit their lifelong knowledge through the use of Pashto proverbs. This research article presents the stance of Pashtun women on their level of understanding of Pashto proverbs and the worth of these proverbs in their everyday lives. The qualitative research design was adopted and a sample of 39 female Pashtun respondents was selected through consecutive sampling technique. The study was carried out in three districts namely Karak, Charsadda, and Swat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The study revealed that Pashto proverbs are having immense importance in Pashtun societies specifically in transmitting Pashtun culture from generation to generation. Pashtuns are very much ethnocentric in keeping their mother language alive. Multiple mediums are utilized for this purpose. Such mediums range from Pashto poetry to the usage of Pashto proverbs, and folktales. Certain Pashto TV channels and newspapers are also serving the purpose of keeping the Pashto language alive. Even speaking Pashto at the household level also plays an important role. Pashtun women acknowledged and identified the importance of the Pashto language particularly the Pashto Proverbs in the interpretation and dissemination of cultural practices, identities, viewpoints, and everyday life experiences from one generation to another.