Gai'shain in the old tongue, means "Pledged to Peace in Battle." An Aiel taken prisoner by other Aiel in a raid or battle is required by ji'e'toh to serve his or her captor humbly and obediently for one year and a day, touching no weapon and doing no violence. A Wise One, a blacksmith, a child or a woman with child under the age of ten may not be made gai'shain.
For another example, shame, which also has many levels in ji'e'toh, is considered on many of those levels to be worse than pain, injury, or even death. For a third, there are, again, many decrees of toh, or obligation, but even the smallest of these must be met in full. Toh outweighs other considerations to the extent that an Aiel will often except shame, if necessary, to fulfill an obligation that might seem minor to an outlander.
What it means to me.
I think ji'e'toh tests a persons' maturity, strength and courage. It takes a mature person to understand and accept ji'e'toh. Non-mature people will deny the fact that they violated it and try to resist it in any way they can. It also takes strength, strength as a person. To show that you are loyal to your customs and will obey them to the death. It takes courage to carry your punishments through to the end. It is a dedication you make to your kind, if you did not dedicate yourself, it is like denying who you are.
