Pashtuns/Pathans

Being a Pathan myself, I am very intrigued by the cultural background, historical significance, and origins of Pathans.  In Pakistan, they make up a large percentage, although they’re still in the minority.  I believe in Afghanistan, they roughly account for 40 percent of the population.  Thus, the Taliban presumably consisted of mostly Pathans.  My question is, how much of what the Taliban preached was Pasthunwali (the presumed code of Pathans) code, as opposed to true Islamic law.

Pashtunwali code is pretty out there.  Most of it is represented through uneducated Pasthun tribes, whose cultural practices are quite bizarre, relative to “the West”  even in regard to Islamic teachings.  The whole not allowing girls to go to school and forcing them to stay at home thing is really more so a cultural practice and not necessarily an Islamic one.  Take for instance, the wife of the Prophet, Khadijah.  She was a business women and it was through her business that the Prophet was provided for!   Most of what is covered in the news regarding the Taliban and its practices really simply sounds like, to me, more than anything,  cultural practices of uneducated villages.

Anyhow, does anyone really know where Pathans come from?  There is little research available regarding the origins of Pathans.  The most common thought is that they are descendants from Persian tribes. However, many mirgations have taken place as well as invasions. Thus, I’ve also heard that they may be descendants from Alexander the Great or the remnants of a lost Jewish tribe. I’m so confused. *sigh*