I think the Aiel are great; I think ji'e'toh is a brilliant idea and to be honest I dont see why the wetlanders-and Rand especially, since he isnt daft-dont understand it. I like the way they boast, the way they set their own punishment, and their sense of humor.

I can only disapprove of a culture which raises a woman like Avi, who is willing to take a knife because of a stupid love triangle

Yet if you really think about Maidens of the spear, they are extremely considerate. A woman like Aviendha chooses to be the way she is, to take up the spear and become a warrior. And because of that, they are not allowed to wed, and must have their child adopted; it sounds harsh but if you think about it, it is a mercy to the child and the husband she never had; you have to divorce the spear before you can settle down with a family, otehrwise the family you start will suffer because you died living the life you chose.

The Aiel are probably my favorite culture in Wheel of Time