I am Malala : the Girl who Stood up for Education - Chapter 1

I am Malala - Part One - Chapter - 1

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani female education activist and was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. She is a human right activist and advocate for the education of women. Her autobiographical work “I am Malala” was published in 2013. This chapter deals with Malala’s birth as well as the history of her homeland and family.

Malala was born at dawn, and although Pakistani culture is to mourn over a birth of a daughter, Malala’s family celebrated her birth, especially her dad. Her father named her Malala after the greatest warrior heroine Malalai of Maiwand.

Malala was born into Swat Valley, a lush, mountainous area in Pakistan. The location is very beautiful and a tourist destination for many foreigners. Swat used to be separate from Pakistan and joined after the British gave India its independence in 1948; it is still very autonomous from the Pakistani government. Malala’s family lived in Mingora, the only real city within the valley. Her family, like most others in the valley, did not often leave; no one Malala knew had ever been to the capital, Islamabad, even though it was only 100 miles away.

At the time of Malala’s birth, her family was very poor, living in a small, single-story house made of concrete. Malala slept with her parents leaving the second bedroom available for guests. Malala tells that hospitality is an important part of the Pashtun culture. The house did not have a bathroom and cooking was done on a wood fire on the ground. 

Malala tells that in ancient times Swat was under Buddhist kingdom and the Butkara ruins stands as a remembrance of Buddhist culture. She tells about Mount Elum which Alexander the great succeeded in climbing and Malala too want to climb up this mountain

 Two years after Malala, her brother Khushal was born. Because he was a boy, Malala’s mother was much more enthusiastic about this birth. She wanted to treat him differently and even asked to get a new cradle. Five years later, Atal was born and they made a happy family.

Marriages are typically arranged by families, but Malala’s parents are described as a love match. Her mother, Toor Pekai, is very beautiful. Their marriage took time; the families needed a lot of convincing because the grandparents did not get along with one another. After nine months, the families finally agreed and Malala’s parents were able to get married. 

Malala’s father treats his wife with respect. He never hits her. Malala’s father treats Toor Pekai, Malala’s mother as an intellectual equal and shares everything about his day to her. This is very unusual in Pashtun culture. 

Malala’s father is known as an orator. People would come from all over the city to hear him speak. He would tell stories of the history of the tribes from the Valley. The distinct heritage of the Valley is deeply ingrained in its people. The clash between the Yousafzai tribe and Khan tribe was put to an end by their favouite Badshah sahib and his son did a lot for the tribes. They set  up schools, telephone system, hospitals and roads.

The chapter ends with Malala commenting on the lack of freedom of women in her culture. Women were expected to stay inside as they got older, only to go out if accompanied by a male, even if that male was a five-year-old boy. Malala knew from early on that she would be different and seek more freedom for herself and others.