Bacha Posh: A Cultural Practice in Afghanistan as Seen in Nadia Hashimi's The Pearl That Broke Its Shell: Resilience against Patriarchy

. Bacha Posh is a cultural phenomenon where a young girl is dressed and raised as a boy until she reaches a marriageable age or puberty by a family with no sons for the sake of a better future. This term considers being one of the cultural practices in Afghanistan, which is famously known as a Patriarchal country. The Pearl That Broke Its Shell is written by Nadia Hashimi and presents two female characters that follow this tradition to survive and get a proper life in the family. This research depicts how the practice of Bacha Posh is claimed to save a daughter in a family from the perspective of Patriarchy and its impact on the psychological side. The article then presents a brief overview of Patriarchy's restraint in Afghanistan, which later evoked this practice (Bacha Posh) to be well-known in society. This article focuses more on gender and identity, which relate to the psychological issue within the main female characters. The psychology of gender and women has been investigated in many specific areas. In this case, it will discuss how the phenomena of Bacha Posh affected the psychology of the female characters represented by the two female characters, Rahima and Syeqiba. This phenomenon happens in Afghanistan in which girls are dressed and raised as boys to get a better life. This research concludes that Bacha Posh in this novel gives better opportunities for the female characters' lives socially and psychologically by leading them into modern and intelligent women in their era. By following this cultural tradition, Rahima can pursue her dreams to be a politician. She managed to be chosen as a member of parliament due to her experience at school during childhood. This article also depicts the ideology behind the Bacha Posh by showing its positive impact, which gives the girls the opportunity to support the family income by having a job, having a long-term chance at school, and pursuing their dreams for a better life.