Abstract
This paper deconstructs popular theories regarding identity formation, sociocultural consciousness and gender construction through a critical analysis of selected Pashto folkloric arts—myths, legends and Tappa. Within the framework of ethnopoetics and sociopoetic and through the tool of Critical Discourse Analysis of the selected Pashto myths, legends and Tappa, the study has laid bare the absolutist generalisations, empirical loopholes and logical fallacies in the imperial, orientalist and colonial constructs of history, culture, identity, gender construction and social relations of the Pashtuns. While elaborating on the nature, structure, performance and function of myths, legends and tappa, the paper has underscored mythical and folklric underpinnings of identity formation, ethnonational consciousness, gender construction and evolution of social relations of the Pashtuns through unpacking theoretical contradictions and ideological consequences of the orientalist and colonial constructs. In the process of understanding relationship between folkloric discourses and evolution of social relations among the Pashtuns, this study has revisited the popular theories related to the fixed, boxed and frozen construct of the cultural code of Pakhtunwali/Pashtunwali. Highlighting the theoretical problems posed by the primordialist, modernist and ethnosymbolist approaches to the study of ethnonational identity and nationhood, the study has attempted to reconcile variations in interpretation of nationhood through diverse analytical approaches to the problem. The study suggests interdisciplinary approaches to explore complexities of identity formation, sociocultural consciousness, evolution of social relations and gender construction among the Pashtuns.
Key words: Identity Formation, Gender Construction, Social Relations, Sociocultural Consciousness, Verbal Arts, Folklore, Mythology, Pakhtunwali, Colonialism, Orientalism, Primordialism, Modernism, Ethnosymbolism.
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