Shakhsi Jarga and Peacebuilding in Pakhtun Society: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

Jarga is a respected institution in Pakhtun society and has been kept in high regard by Pakhtuns all the way through their history. In Pakhtun society, majority of the interpersonal conflicts are transformed into peaceful relationship by the intervention of a sub-type of Jarga called Shakhsi Jarga. The present study examines how Shakhsi Jarga establishes the process of building peace between disputants. The current study, qualitative in nature, is designed with a constructionist paradigm. How Jarga plays its role in peacebuilding is explored through interviewing the people who are involved in the process such as Jargamar, Aliman, and disputants. A total number of 20 interviews and 5 FGDs were conducted in district Mardan. The study uses a grounded theory approach for data collection and analysis. Local Pakhtuns of Mardan consider Shakhsi Jarga as an integral part of their social structure, that works for the prevention of conflict on one hand while peacebuilding on another. The findings show that Shakhsi Jarga works for peacebuilding by healing the social wounds and re-establishing the social interaction and social relations that are damaged due disputes. Through this way, the social degradation caused by interpersonal conflicts like trust deficit and break-up of social relations is transformed into peaceful situation.