ANIMALS AS METAPHORS: AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER REPRESENTATION IN PASHTO PROVERBS.

The article analyzes gender representation in Pashto proverbs through animal-based metaphors, employing the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) by Zoltan Kovecses (2010). It identifies horses and mares as culturally superior animals symbolizing positive and dominant male roles, while donkeys—both male and female—represent inferior or negative traits, with female donkeys particularly associated with low social status. The study categorizes Pashtun men metaphorically into superior (horses), mediocre (male donkeys), and inferior (female donkeys) groups, reflecting social hierarchies embedded in Pashtun culture. It concludes that these metaphors mirror and reinforce gender and social positioning within the Pashtun community, highlighting the cultural significance of animal imagery in shaping social cognition. The research also suggests further exploration of Pashto proverbs for other ideological themes using modern critical approaches.