Revenge in Pashtunwali, the traditional Pashtun code of conduct, is a deeply ingrained concept where the timing of retribution is irrelevant; it can be enacted many years after the initial offense.
The Pashtun culture places a strong emphasis on honor (nang) and the defense of that honor. Insults, injuries, or, most significantly, killings must be avenged to restore balance and maintain social standing. This concept is known as badal. The time elapsed before enacting badal is inconsequential. As the Pashtun saying goes, "The Pashtun who took revenge after a hundred years said, 'I took it quickly.'" This highlights the enduring nature of the obligation to retaliate and the patient pursuit of justice according to Pashtunwali.
This emphasis on revenge can lead to long-standing feuds between families and tribes. The cycle of violence continues until reconciliation is achieved, often through the intervention of tribal elders and the payment of blood money (diyat). However, even with these mechanisms in place, the principle of badal remains a powerful force in Pashtun society, dictating social interactions and maintaining order, albeit through a system of reciprocal violence.
