THE KITE RUNNER Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 1

THE KITE RUNNER
PASHTUNWALI
leaders and exemplify Pashtun values; that is, they have to be generous and brave. They
are not absolute rulers of their fellow tribesmen, but rather, each clan decides matters
of its welfare by council, the jirga, who also arbitrate disputes. Pashtuns adhere to
their traditional code of behavior, the Pashtunwali, which guides the jirgas in resolving
disputes. It contains sets of values pertaining to honor (namus), solidarity (nang),
hospitality, mutual support, mediation, protection, self-respect and retaliation which
determines social order and individual responsibility. The defense of namus, even unto
death, is obligatory for every Pashtun. Violation of the Pashtun code will bring dishonor
and shame, not just to an individual, but to the entire tribe or community. The process
of detribalization has led to a weakening of the practice of Pashtunwali, although urban
Pashtuns still have a direct or emotional link to their tribes.
What does Pashtunwali require
Pashtunwali can be summarized under the terms of
nanawati, mediation or protection; badal, retaliation;
and melmastia, hospitality.
Nanawati is the obligation to give protection to
anyone seeking asylum, even at the risk of the
protector’s life, and to mediate for the weaker party
seeking peace with someone he has injured.
There is no act more wretched than
stealing. A man who takes what’s
not his to take, be it a life or a loaf of
naan, I spit on such a man.
– Baba, The Kite Runner
Badal is required for personal insults, damage
to property, or blood feuds, until a jirga of elders
succeeds in mediating a solution. Each injury
has a price: at the turn of the century, 180 to 300
rupees had to be paid for a life; the loss of an eye,
ear, arm or leg carried certain value.
Melmastia is considered the sacred duty of
hospitality. Each village has a guest house or
uses its mosque as a shelter for visitors. A guest’s
person and property are protected, and a Pashtun
is proud to offer the guest or stranger what he
cannot even afford for himself.
Costume Design Sketch for Rahim
Khan by designer Kish Finnegan
-from The Kite Runner: A Study Guide reprinted with permission from
San Jose Repertory Theatre
Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 18