Stories from the past

The Khan family are Pathans, (sometimes referred to as Pashtoons), part of a tribal society descended from Afghanistan. They are distinguished by a very particular history as one of the world’s largest tribal societies and speak a unique archaic language ‘Pushtu’. As the language is nearly always received through nurture in childhood, a particular feeling of being distinct resonates with many Pathans, as it did with Jaan. Although the uniqueness of his people and their history of heroism, religion, Hebrew origin and strife was to be discovered later, through his academic studies and research, his early schooling fuelled an interest of language, English and the arts, which has set him many times outside the restrictive domains of his working class environment and wider ethnic community.

Jaan has noticed a number of changes over the years, in Sheffield and Rotherham. The increase in wealth amongst people generally, which is also reflected in the Asian community. A better state of education amongst the Asian community as many young Asians break free of the shackle of illiteracy, which governed and confined their parent’s existence. Also a marked increase in entrepreneurship, as people attempt to get on with a second or third property to their name, however a cost if any that communities are paying is a breakdown of their social fabric, a cohesion which would at times regulate itself, for the betterment of the community at large and wider society.