ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the basis and structure of the study. It provides an ethnography deriving from the empirical work and the data analysis. Most of north west frontier province is occupied by a large ethnic group, Pukhtoons, who live in both settled and tribal areas, with a code of life based on Pukhtoonwali, unwritten customary laws prevalent for centuries, and including the concepts of vendetta, guest house, lineage system and hospitality. The Khel, the centre of all social and political activities, controls all inter village and supra-village activities and politics, and is also the nucleus of interpersonal relations. The Hujra or guest house is the place where all the male activities take place. Hujra is maintained by a Khan or Malik, or collectively by the Khel or Cham or Kandai or Palo depending on the socio-economic and political status of a person or persons.
