Pashto poetry’s journey from love to war and resistance
With Pashtuns suffering massive violence from the Taliban, Islamist militants and the Pakistan state, Pashto poetry today reflects the community’s new blood-soaked reality
Manzoor Pashteen speaking at a Pashtun Tahafuz Movement rally. During the PTM's first, seismic protests in 2018, a chant emerged and became an anthem for thousands of disenchanted Pashtun youth. The words articulated helplessness, frustration and collective loss, but nestled within was also a fierce desire for freedom. In this, the anthem illustrated an intense thematic shift in Pashtun poetry over the last 10 to 15 years, going from the subjects of love, mysticism and beauty that earlier dominated the tradition to ones of war, oppression and a longing for peace. Photo courtesy: Voice of America/Picryl
During the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement's first, seismic protests in 2018, a chant emerged and became an anthem for Pakistan's thousands of disenchanted Pashtun youth.
Inqilab! Inqilab! Zwanan mu qatal kegy Da sanga azaadi da? Pukthun pake gharqeqy Da sanga azaadi da? Da jwand berray mattegy Da sanga azaadi da? Inqilab! inqilab!
Revolution! Revolution! Our young are being killed What kind of freedom is this? Pashtuns get ruined What kind of freedom is this? The ship of life is wrecked What kind of freedom is this? Revolution! Revolution!
Che na rakawe mung la huqooq da insaninyat Pakar che bayad okrru spesalay baghawat Azaadi! azaadi! Malaly me guregy Satruna ye mategy Zwanan mu qatal kegy Inqilab! Inqilab!
