the Afghan villagers who protected Marcus did so out of duty to Pashtunwali—their 2,000 year old code of honor, known as Pashtunwali.
Pashtunwali requires a tribe to undertake the responsibility of safegauarding an individule against his enemies and protecting him at all costs.
These brave men and women still thrive today in the harsh mountains of Afganistan and their fight against the Taliban continues.