Khattak dance

Aside from the Pashtun's classical literature, popular ballads, the Pashtunwali (the common code of social values), the khattak is part of the group's collective identify.

Athena seems to appeared era[vague] while Athan survived in present eastern Afghanistan and north western Pakistan amongst Pashtuns.

A Khattak dancer performs with the zeal of a hero, displaying his physical fitness through body movements while holding one, two or even three swords at a time.

It is performed very quickly, set to uptempo music featuring the piper, Clarion, and drums beaten with sticks.

The fast tempo of Khattak distinguishes it from other attan, which start slowly and pick up speed as the dance progresses.

[7] The steps could appear strange for an onlooker since they involve exaggerated backward and forward strides, punctuated by swordplays such as air thrusts and parries.

The rhythm transitions are often accompanied by hand movements while the finale features the continuous twirling on the dancers' toes until they were completely exhausted.

Qamar balbala is exercise to get control on stepping and stable body balance at the top of hill and it is performed with swords.

Individual performance of Khattak dance comprises 12 steps, which require great skill on the part of the dancers.