Authors’ Sala readings series, Sept 29, 2006

Readings by Dr. Agnes Glenn and Glenys Carl Friday, October 6, 5–7pm Posada San Francisco, Plaza Principal 2 50 pesos, includes wine reception

A writer and editor, Dr. Agnes Glenn has recently completed a book titled Mashaal’s Missions. Dr. Hassan Mashaal, world-renown malariologist, worked for over 45 years in many countries for the World Health Organization. From Mashaal’s journals, Glenn relates anecdotes of his experiences and observations of customs and traditions of common folk in several countries. 

Glenn has written educational handbooks and articles and an unpublished book on the history of community colleges in Canada. She earlier completed a medical book for Dr. Mashaal that was published in Japan. Her more than 40-year career in education includes stints as a teacher, administrator and program and curriculum developer in secondary schools and colleges in Canada and a university in the United States. 

Glenn will be reading from her new book, Mashaal’s Missions: A Traveling Medical Officer’s Recounts of Healing and Traditions Unveiled. Following is an excerpt from that book. 

Tribal Traditions in the North-West Frontier

The Pakistani government assigned a devoted physician from Punjab, Pakistan, to the province of Waziristan in the North-West Frontier Province. The local people admired and trusted him very much. The tribes in these provinces bordering on Afghanistan had traditions and customs different from other parts of Pakistan. Women were not permitted to work and they rarely left their homes except when their husbands allowed them. Of course, they must veil their faces with a burka that had a small opening covered with mesh for seeing, and they must not talk to anyone. These rules were strictly enforced and many females were killed if they did not follow local rules of family and tribe.

Pakistan’s North-West Frontier borders on Afghanistan’s Pashtu tribal territory and the famous Kyber Pass.

In spite of the problems among the tribes in Waziristan, the Punjabi physician decided to choose his future wife from the local tribe. He was not allowed before the wedding day to see her nor to speak to her. But those were the traditions of the tribe and he accepted them. Also the Waziristan tribe accepted him as a son-in-law although he was from the Punjab, but he had lived among them for several years and had treated them medically. So the physician married the young lady according to local custom. 

According to tradition, since their marriage about three years earlier, the wife had remained in her home and was rarely allowed to leave even to visit her family. During this time, no children were born and the husband was blaming her for not conceiving and giving him a son. Finally, the situation got out of control and on many occasions the husband would insult his wife and frequently he would even beat her. Finally, he sent her to her family. This is an extreme insult within the tribe. The physician should have asked her family to take her back. He should have told them that he wished to divorce his non-child-bearing wife and most probably her family would have agreed to give him a divorce. He should never have forced his wife from their home.

One night, members of his wife’s tribe came at midnight to his home and broke down the gate to his compound and entered the house. First they caught him, then they beat him badly with a stick. Then they put a chain around his neck and pulled him outside like pulling a dog. Next, they blindfolded him and took him to a remote mountainous area and left him there. 

He spent three days and nights in that dangerous area before he was able to regain enough strength to try to find his way home to his village in Waziristan. While searching for his way back, he slept in caves and ate berries to stay alive. Luckily, poisonous snakes that are common to those mountains had not bitten him, for he surely would have died. He lost a lot of weight and his legs were severely scratched. His shoes became badly damaged so he was obliged to walk over the rough terrain in his bare feet. On the third day while trying to find his way home, by chance, he met a tribesman from another tribe who directed him out of that area. Finally, in very bad condition, he arrived home and to his village clinic. After reporting his ordeal to the authorities, he was given a few days off to recover before he returned to his medical duties. Eventually, back on duty in his clinic, he was fearful that he might meet patients from his ex-wife’s tribe and possibly they might kidnap him a second time or even kill him.


The Authors’ Sala readings series presents short works by local authors. The San Miguel Authors’ Sala presents author readings and workshops for writers and aspiring writers. For up-to-date information on upcoming events, visit www.sanmiguelauthors.com