PukhtunWomen

Our recent chat with Samar on the release of her new video for the lyrics sung to the folk song Shinwari Lewangina. She revealed new insight not only into the song, but also into the depth of Samar’s love for her heritage and her deep understanding of her culture and her people.

Sung by Zar Sanga and Daud Hanif, their soul searing voices bring to life Zaitoon Bano's and Watan Dosts beautifully worded lyrics in this documentary - video filmed by Sahar, Tariq Peerzada and Luke Powell. One can see Afghanistan in the background during the dance footage. Samar specially went to Parachimnar to film the dance sequence. The other images are from Swat and Chattar Plains.

Samar got Luke Powell to do the still photos. Luke who has worked for the UN and is a professional photographer, is based in Canada. He has worked in Afghanistan for many years. He manages to catch everyday pictures from an angle that make us look and notice as if we are seeing it for the first time.

As usual Summer does not stop amazing us with her in depth analysis of our culture and tradition. She frankly discussed her motive behind this video and was not hesitant to point out that for us to succeed as a nation we have to give equal opportunity to our female population. the following is an abstract of our conversation with Samar.

Where the Waters Meet
In Nature, diversity exists in harmony. In this region, waters from different sources have always mingled and flowed musically down the streams into rivers and eventually into the ocean.

And the people, though culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, have shared this land peacefully all through history. For those who want to see this region prosper, it is a call to come and participate in its development and progress, rather than merely wishing from afar, that things may improve! They can do so now too!

I chose the title 'Where the Waters Meet' because it is a beautiful sight indeed, to watch the Indus and Kabul rivers meet, the water of the two rivers have two distinct colors, brown and blue, yet they blend and come out as one unique shade of water, just a little way further.

Shinwaray Lawangeena is a folk song that has always been very close to my heart because of its beautiful melody. Although there are many versions of this folk song, and most of them have been sung by famous Pashto vocalists, but for some reason has not been interpreted/portrayed in the form of a video.

In folk songs there is usually a verse that does not have any particular meaning to it but is repeated during the song to give it rhythm. The name comes from the Shinwaray tribe, and Shinwaray Lawangeena celebrates this regions diversity. The song highlights the need for active participation of women, if this region is to participate in the nation building process. This can only be achieved if they are given equal opportunities, that would help them leave the darkness behind. 'Tyara' or darkness is symbolized by Cultural violence in the song, whereas 'ranra' or light is symbolized by equal opportunities for women and girls in all spheres of life .

The first verse goes
Zarsanga.

The separation has weakened my heart. Thoughts of the homeland bring tears to my eyes. Too much love will drive me insane.

This is the traditional form of starting off a folk song and is called 'ghara'. Here the female voice talks about the feelings of separation and the love for ones own homeland, and how it moves people to tears, when one is away from ones root and loved ones. It basically touches the approach of citizenship by showing that how an individual’s identity, roots, everyday experiences is relevant to the concept of citizenship and belonging.

Zarsanga

These flood waters do not scare me. My courage will carry me across.

When sung in the voice of a woman, this verse brings forth the inner strength of the women of this region. 'Floods' symbolize the patriarchal systems, cultural violence and other accepted impediments in the way of women's active participation in a citizenship and development process.

Daud Hanif

Why don't you return to your homeland?
You think you are living like a king, but, away from home, one is merely a beggar.

This verse was written by a renowned Peshawar based Afghan poet Watan Dost, specially for our song. It exemplifies a general experience of people living in countries, where they are not and possibly may never be legal citizens. it forces one to thus question the concept of citizenship in another form. It is a verse to which generally Pukhtuns and Afghans living away from their land can relate to.

Zarsanga.

Help me leave the darkness behind, that I may spread light all across my land.

Within the patriarchal context of this region, women's active citizenship and empowerment has always been dependant or linked to women's rights issues. In this particular verse an image of a girl being given as 'swara' by her father has been added (a piece from my documentary ) to symbolize darkness. The image suddenly shifts to images of girls' education and empowerment to signify the role of women in nation building and development.

Daud Hanif

Your sister and your old mother, they love you.
'Why don't you come home?' they ask.

Written by Watan Dost, it heart wrenchingly makes the feelings of separation slap us in the face and drives home the need to encourage participation in reconstruction of ones own 'state/homeland'.

The Vocalists.

Zar Sanga is one of the most renowned Pashto folk singers of Pakistan. She has won several national and international awards for her contribution to the field of folk music. She has the prestige of being awarded the highest national honor for an artist, 'The Pride of Performance'.

Daud Hanif is a renowned vocalist, with a rich experience of Pashto and Dari music. He has appeared on Afghan and Pakistan television programs. He is from Afghanistan but is currently residing in Peshawar.

Poets

Presidential Award winner, Zaitoon Bano and renowned Pashto poet Watan Dost wrote the lyrics. Both are based in Peshawar and Watan Dost has several publications in Dari and Pashtu.

The Musicians

Asif Ali and Wajid Ali are based in Peshawar. They arranged the music and digitally recorded all vocals and music to give the video high quality sound.

Camera

Samar, Tariq Peerzada and Luke Powell.

Support and Backing

The documentary -song has been made possible with the support of HBF (Heinrich Boll Foundation). Human rights – especially the rights of women and minorities –, sustainable development, grassroots democracy and conflict resolution are the main areas of the foundation’s work. In its partner countries Heinrich Boll Foundation likewise supports the development of civil society structures, an independent media, human rights and women rights organizations as well as movements for environment and sustainability. At present HBF is implementing a three years regional program for Pakistan and Afghanistan.