Pakhtun's history and background have always been controversial, but not much agreement can be made. There were differing views from the Pakhtuns of Aryan, Jewish, Arab, or mixed descent. No one was persuasive enough to make a conclusion. The Patahns are extremely anxious and curious about their ethnic background, but this may not be a major concern for other races. Some people believe that it is also possible that they are related to Khalid bin walid and as a result the Patterns may have Arab origins. While another school of thought connects itself with Adolf Hitler's which has links with Afghans and Aryans and finally with Peshawar Pathans.
Traditions:
Gham card, Wada Koidana, Topak tamacha, hujra, kat bistara and those with the arrival of Sparlay or Spring, known as Nava Wroz (New Day), and celebrated by some Pastuns. It is an ancient Pastun festival celebrating both the beginning of spring and the New Year. Among the Pastuns, Sheshbeeyeh, and the pre-Nava Wroz festival are also celebrated.
Dance:
Attan: In this dance, the dancers make music, the dance is performed by both sexes which involves 2-5 steps, ending with clapping while looking at the center, after which the process is repeated. This dance is usually performed with an artist who means the length of time and the speed.
Khattak Dance: The Khattak dance is performed by the Khattak tribe.
Mahsud Dance: A unique dance practice using guns made by the Mahsud tribe of Pastuns. It was originally used for dance during the war, but later it became a traditional dance. Dancers dance with nothing and need only large drums. In modern times, even during dances, guns are fired from the hands of dancers.
Minister's dance: Two drummers and a flute player play a certain tune. Two people left the circle; go and dance to the beaters, and come back dancing the same way. During the play both people turn twice at the same time facing each other face to face and sometimes keeping their face straight to the other side. After doing this separately they marched while dancing to the crowd that had gathered.
Sports:
Some Pastuns take part in buzkashi, which is a game introduced in the region during the Mughal era. The word "buz" means "goat" and "kashi" means "drag" or "pull". It’s not a team game, it’s every male and that is evident as soon as the game starts. Although buskashi is primarily a game, alliances are formed between different players. Between the unions, the strong players eventually take control .This is very similar to the polo. Football is another game played with the most fun by the pathans of Khyber pahktoonwar.
Poetry:
Pathan is very famous for their poems, they are passionate and love the world which is evident in their poems. Some of the famous poets include Amir Kror Suri, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Baba and many others.