Defying extremism through Art A case study of Swat Khaybar Pakhtunkhwa
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Date
2024
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UMT, Lahore
Abstract
This research study examines the significance of art and culture in countering extremism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It addresses the imposition of a new identity on the Pashtun people during the Cold War era and the War on Terror, exploring the historical social structure, traditional values, and norms of Pashtun society that were targeted for erasure. The study delves into Pashtunwali, the cultural code by which Pashtuns live, and highlights the role of artists in resisting extremism, along with the costs they have borne for their resistance. The research frames the artistic experience within a social context, emphasizing the unwavering resistance of artists throughout their journey against extremism. It also underscores the importance of art and literature in preserving and upholding Pashtun cultural values and traditions, both historically and in contemporary contexts. Central to this study is the research question regarding the banning of art and how such bans have facilitated the growth of extremist ideologies in the region. Using an exploratory research design, the study captures the experiences of artists and literary figures during the War on Terror and the wave of extremism. Participants discussed the significant obstacles created by extremist groups to suppress art and the crucial role of art in maintaining Pashtun values. The suppression experienced by poets and musicians differed, yet both demonstrated cultural resilience in the face of adversity. The theoretical framework of this research is based on phenomenology and cultural resilience theory. The study is qualitative, employing thematic analysis to understand the subjective experiences of the affected individuals. In-depth, face-to-face, one-on-one interviews were conducted with eight participants involved in art or literature who had keen observations of the phenomena. The researcher coded the collected data using thematic analysis to develop the research findings.