Why do orientalist writers cite Sharia, rattle off the ethnicities of Afghanistan (Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Nooristani), talk about the Pashtunwali code, and never mention Afghaniyat?
Some quotes from Nathaniel Davis 2010 paper, From Colonialism to Neo-Colonialism: Nationalism, Islam, and the Cultural Framing of Conflicts in Afghanistan.
Davis: "Dismissing the idea of Afghan nationality permitted and justified British policy in employing the familiar divide-and-conquer tactics among rival ethnic groups."
Davis quotes AG Constable in 1879 asserting: “there really is no Afghan nation—the races there . . . are all alike in their characteristics, brave,independent, but of a turbulent, vindictive character . . . .”
Have the writers you're reading on Afghanistan gotten past this?
Have the writers you're reading on Afghanistan gotten past this?
Davis: "The British characterizations of Afghans and Afghanistan were broad and demeaning, gaining currency in the United States, as well as in Europe."
Davis quotes Emil Trinkler 1928: “the fanatical Afghans have a habit of getting mixed up in every quarrel.”
Does this crap sound familiar?
Does this crap sound familiar?
Quotes Charles Metcalfe MacGregor's 1879-80 War Diary: “the policy which said we must have... the complete control of Afghan foreign affairs was a right one . . . we will have your obedience, you may chafe as much as you please.”
Charles Metcalfe MacGregor 19th century about Afghanistan: “we have got into a conflict with a race of tigers, and it is only by treating them with a rod of iron that they will ever give in.”
MacGregor again: “all these rows prove to me that
we are thoroughly hated and not nearly enough feared . . . we have been too cruel yet we have not made them acknowledge our supremacy.”
we are thoroughly hated and not nearly enough feared . . . we have been too cruel yet we have not made them acknowledge our supremacy.”
And the kicker from British Major General MacGregor in 1879: “most of us hated Kabul, Afghanistan, and the Afghans generally.” Mostly he refers to them in his diary as "hogs".
All of which is to say, when you're reading about Afghanistan, watch for the following 19thC imperialist patterns:
1-Dismissal of Afghan nationalism, portrayal of the country as utterly divided
2-Fanatical Afghans in need of tutelage in, above all, obedience
3-Hatred of Afghans
1-Dismissal of Afghan nationalism, portrayal of the country as utterly divided
2-Fanatical Afghans in need of tutelage in, above all, obedience
3-Hatred of Afghans
• • •
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