An Analysis of Freudian Concept of Mourning In Pashto Tappas on The Theme of Migration

Abstract

The folk literature of any nation is its collective asset and is the preserver of its social history and culture. The most important genre of Pashto folk poetry is tappa. Tappa is composed of a couplet. It covers all aspects of the Pashtuns’ way of life, both individual and collective. Another importance of Pashto tappa is that it has a dominant participation of Pashtun women, as it is anonymous, so provides her with an opportunity to express her innermost feelings without any fear of social restrictions and inhibitions. This genre tells a lot about the customs, traditions, religious and other approaches, like weddings, griefs, celebrations, festivities and so many other areas about Pashtuns and their way of life. One important dimension of tappa is migration. Pashtuns since olden times have been migrating to far-off lands due to the poverty in their land due to the mountains and scarcity of resources or for trade and business. The migration of men has negatively affected Pashtun women, as they face social and financial insecurity in his absence. The larger number of Pashto tapas on the theme of migration portray the voice of Pashtun women, thus also revealing the gendered nature of this genre. Pashto tappas for the current study on the subject of migration have been analyzed in the light of the Freudian concept of Mourning.