Zebunisa Bangash, a Pakistani singer-songwriter from Lahore, has shattered the misconceptions that many might have harboured about the Pashtun community. She challenged the alleged notion that the Pashtun community holds regressive views, projecting herself as an example of a woman who grew up in the Pashtun family. In a candid conversation with Timeline, the singer, popularly known as Zeb Bangash, explained how her family and community supported her while growing up.
The vocalist was responding to a question regarding her upbringing in the Pashtun family. The songwriter was asked how she felt growing up in the community, which seems to have regressive thoughts, especially when it comes to women’s empowerment. The global artist, who has performed shows at various places across the world, including in the iconic Times Square in New York, said that she does not believe that the Pashtun community has regressive thoughts based on her personal experience.
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“I think in different political climates you see different extremist aspects; certain communities come up. You know, it can be anything; it can be gender issues; it can be prejudice. It can be art-related; that does not mean a society or a culture,” the musician stated.
Bangash said that the Pashtun community is a society and culture that is so old and has the sides of many ancient cultures, adding that all of them are in their genetic makeup, music, poetry, culture, and deep spiritual thought. The singer said that she got music while growing up in her Pashto family.
The music artist then shared about the support she received from her Pashtun family throughout her music career. “I got all the support from my father and from my brothers. You know my brother was my manager for the longest time. He visited Kochi with me. I never found anyone stopping me just because of Pashtun or Pathan,” the music artist said.
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Bangash did not hesitate to admit that there can be regressive practices in some families, and she is not saying they don’t exist. “I’m sure there are families out there that would never let that happen,” the singer explained, adding that she shares what she went through as member in Pashtun family.
When you talk about Afghanistan or Peshawar, or a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we talk about great things such as the centre of the Kanishka, the ancient Buddhist sites, travellers, and ancient wisdom, the singer, whose family hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, pointed out, underscoring that it is all about how people view a place.
