Social Organisation Khuzdar

Introduction

Khuzdar is a tribal society. Zehri, Mengal, Mohammed Hasni, Bizenjo and Qambrani are the main tribes in Khuzdar district. All these tribes are branches of Brahvis.

 

The tribe, locally called Qaum, is divided into a number of groups. These groups are further sub-divided into groups called pira, representing families. Zai is the generic term for a group representing either the tribe or any of its divisions. Each tribe has its own leader. The Sardar (chief) of the whole tribe is assisted by Mirs, who are the headmen of the clans (the term is also applied to the Sardar's brothers and near relatives). A Motabar or Kamosh is head of one of the units of which the clan is composed of. The positions of Sardar, Mir and Motabar are hereditary, while the leadership of smaller groups generally depends on the age, influence and intelligence of a person.

 

Individuals and families who live together in the tribe are known as hamsaya (neighbours) who share hardships and happiness together. Previously, most of the tribes were involved in livestock activities and the main source of income was livestock products. The advent of agricultural techniques and relatively better income from agriculture has attracted the majority of the tribes to farming. The people migrate to urban areas of the province and even out of the province, in search of job opportunities. This phenomenon has affected the whole tribal system and the socio-cultural values of the area are under change.

 

The Brahvi always dress in the same style, despite the changes in weather over the year. Clothes are comprised of a loose white shirt, a pair of trousers of the same texture and a turban cap. The dress of a female consists of a long shirt and a pair of trousers both of cotton cloth. The women like to do embroidery work on fronts of their dresses.

 

The majority of the people has only two meals a day, i.e., one in the morning between 10 and 12 a.m. and the other at sunset. The former is called sawaira (lunch) and the latter is sham (dinner). During spring when milk is abundant many of the flock owners have only one solid meal in the evening, subsisting mainly on milk for the morning meal. Only well-to-do families and urban people take a third meal called nihari (breakfast) in the early morning.

 

The tribes residing in Khuzdar district are branches of Brahvis. They identify themselves as Balochs or with their tribal names such as Zehri, Mengal, Bizenjo, etc. Generally the people are very co-operative. They take care of their fellow tribesmen in events such as marriage, death, or murder and assist each other with cash and kind. Officially the Sardari system has been eliminated but people seek help from their Sardars, Nawabs and Maliks in case of any dispute.

Conclusion and major Development Issues

Literacy and social awareness are the main issues in the development of women’s status. The joint family set-up is very much preferred in Khuzdar district, because it provides socio-economic protection to its members. However, in urban areas the trend is changing towards nuclear families. Child labour can be removed by launching apprenticeship training programmes for children which should provide educational opportunities to these children as well. The government and NGOs can play a vital role in solving the issues of women and children. Women are very much involved in their domestic activities, but do not have equal social status. The change can be brought in the area through education and effective use of media. The co-operational activity "hashar" can be utilised for the development activities in the area. Print and electronic media can play an important role in promoting awareness among the masses.

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