Social Organisation Killa Abdullah

Like Pishin, district Killa Abdullah is mostly inhibited by ‘Pashtoons’. Major tribes include Kakar, Tareen, Syed and Achakzai. Kakars are in the majority in Tehsil Gulistan, while Achakzai dominate Tehsil Chaman. There is no ethnic differentiation among them, because they speak a common language, have the same religion and share common cultural values. Their historical background is a shared one. They are descendants of ‘Qais Abdul Rashid’. Their mode of living is almost identical.

The major source of income for the residents of Tehsil Chaman is quite different from that of the residents of Tehsil Gulistan. The majority of the male population in Tehsil Chaman is engaged in trade and commerce. Some of them have trade links with foreign countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Korea etc. Thesil Chaman has a long border with Afghanistan. Pashtoons residing in Afghanistan share a similar language and cultural background. Therefore, visa restrictions are not strictly followed by the local residents on either side of the border. Chaman is the major centre for smuggling activities. It is a paradise for smugglers from both sides of the border. Contrary to this, in Tehsil Gulistan horticulture is the back-bone of the economy. Indeed, Abdulla Khan Achakzai was the man who provided the impetus for fruit growing in this area. Wherever water is available the first preference of the farmer is fruit production. In this part of the district, horticulture/agriculture has been organized along modern lines. Flock owning is also an important source of income for people in both tehsils. Some persons are engaged in the transport sector, while for others, a government job is their source of income.

The majority of the people has two meals daily, one in the morning and the other at sunset. However, with the growing affluence and interaction some persons have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wheat is the staple food grain and is used in the form of Nan and Tikkai (a special kind of bread prepared in ashes). Nan is prepared by the Nan seller in earthen ovens. Meat, vegetables and lentils are used along with the bread. In summer yoghurt and lassi is also part and parcel of the food package. Pistacia Khinjuk (Shina) is also eaten fresh as well as dried, especially in Chaman tehsil. Lhandi is commonly prepared during winter. It is generally made with mutton or goat meat. Sheep are specially fattened and slaughtered. The animal is thoroughly cleaned, salted and rubbed with special ingredients. The animal is hanged and exposed to the air, being ready for use after one month. Before consumption it is cooked for 5 hours in an earthen pot over a slow fire. It is usually eaten during extreme cold weather. Nowadays the diet pattern is changing and people eat rice as well. Steam roast ‘roosh’, which is cooked over slow fire is the most favourite dish and is a speciality of this district. Usually all the male members of a household eat together. Children and women eat separately.

The majority of the male population wears turban, shalwar and kameez both in winter and summer. However, a ‘chaddar’ (piece of cloth) is always on their shoulder in both seasons, albeit of a different material.

The women wear a long frock embroidered at the neckline and sleeves with a shalwar gathered at the ankles into an embroidered strip They also wear a shawl over their heads. They observe purdah. However, with the spread of development and growing prosperity, the dress has become somewhat modernized in urban areas and now women wear the normal shalwar kameez.

In some cases tribes are headed by a ‘Khan’. The sub tribes, often living together in a village, are headed (and controlled) by ‘Maliks’. The titles of Khan and Malik are passed on to their successors. It is worth mentioning that with the advancement of education and spread of electronic media, their role and authority is dwindling.

Usually, decision making in the Pashtoon society is centralised. The policy is formulated by the elders. Some of the decisions are taken for granted. In most of the cases no individual can argue and challenge the validity of the decisions made by elders. Kinship, tribal affiliation and family are the important variables in the decision making process. Political organizations are not following democratic norms. They are organized either on tribal affiliation or on common religious or social backgrounds. Economic status shapes the political organization. Leadership and welfare works, done in the past by a political personality, also influence the political reaction of the masses.

The role of women at household level is confined to such activities as cooking, washing, managing the house, raising the children and arranging the marriage. Unfortunately, at community level their role is negligible or marginal in social, as well as in economic activities. Similarly the women of district Killa Abdullah don’t play any role whatsoever in politics. However, a very small number of women cast their vote by permission and instruction of their males.

This review of the social organization has brought to the forefront the following conclusions and major development issues:

1. The study has shown that there is homogeneity among different tribes regarding mode of living, food habits and dress. They have a common religion, language and cultural background and that is a binding force to keep them socially integrated. It has been found that religion still plays a dominant role in cultural, social and political life.
2. Joint family system is mostly prevalent in the district.
3. Marriages are generally arranged. Pasthoonwaali (a set of norms and values practised in the district) does not permit anyone to divorce his wife. The customs of vulvar and sarai have degraded the status of women and have generated a number of social problems. However, it has been observed that due to the advancement of education, particularly in Khanozai the practice of vulvar and sarai are slowly dying and the right of inheritance for women is honoured.
4. Women are still confined to the boundaries of the house and 50% of the population has no political /social role to play in the development process.
5. The tribal system is deeply rooted because people like living together for defensive or offensive reasons. Kinship is still playing a dominant role in the social and political organization of the district. The result of this situation is that kinship and tribal affiliation are stumbling blocks in rational political decision making and that women are barred from playing their due role in the development process.
6. The tradition of resolving disputes through customary laws is largely prevalent. It is economical in the sense that it saves time and money and is also honoured because of social pressures. However, it has been noticed that poor segments within the tribe are deprived of speedy and fair justice. It is unfortunate that major inter-tribal conflicts have not been resolved through traditional means.
7. It has been reported that sophisticated arms are being sold in the district. It has created a sense of insecurity among the masses. These weapons have found their way to other provinces as well, and this has created law and order problems.
8. Today’s children, who are the guardian of the future, are involved in activities incongenial to their mental and physical health and are deprived of schooling. This gives rise to a number of social problems.