North Waziristan - Ethnic Groups and Tribes

Ethnic Groups and Tribes

The chief tribes in North Waziristan are the Utmanzai Wazirs and Dawars. There are also small tribes, like the Gurbaz, Kharsins, Saidgis and Malakshis Mahsuds, and Bangashs. These tribes, except the Saidgis, are Pakhtuns. According to the tribal annals, they are descendants of Karlan, who in turn is descended from Qais Abdur Rashid. Regarding their ethnic origin, some historians believe that they are Semites. The traditions of the tribesmen, however, indicate that they are descendants of Karlan, and are, therefore, generally accepted as being a tribe of Karlanri Pakhtuns. The Saidgis are the descendants of a Syed who accompanied the founder of the Wazir tribe.

The Wazirs dominate the hilly tracts: Khaisora, Sherathala Plain, Spinwam Mirali, Shewa, Kaitu Valley, lower stretches of the Kurram River and upper parts of Tochi Valley beyond Kharakamar. They are divided into three main sections, namely: Ibrahim Khel, Wali Khel, and Mohmit Khel. These sections are further divided into several sub-sections.

The Dawars are divided into two main sections: Tur Gund and Spin Gund. The inhabitants of village Tappi, village Miranshah, and Issuri Haidar Khel are Tur Gund and the remaining are Spin Gund. In the time of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the total number of Dawars was 12,000 (3,000 Tur Gund 9,000 Spin Gund), and Waziris were 60,000. The traditional jirga of Spin Gund are still called "lazariza" (the meeting of all the 9,000 Spin Gund). Those living under the administrative control of Miranshah tehsil are known as "Upper Dawars". Those living under the administrative control of Mir Ali tehsil are known as Lower Dawars. They have settled in the fertile Tochi valley, mostly on the left bank of the Tochi River, from Khajuri to Kharkamar. They are well-educated and well-mannered as compared to Wazirs because most of the educational institutions are in the Dawar area.

The Kharsins are affiliated with Bora Khel and Madda Khel Wazirs. They live near the Durand Line to the northwest of the agency flanked by Madda Khel Wazirs and Saidgis. Mahsuds are the cousins of Wazirs; both have common ancestor, viz. Wazirs. A section of Mahsuds called Bahlol Zai Malakshai occupy a small portion of Razmak surrounded by Bora Khel and Tori Khel Wazirs. The Saidgis occupy Zoi valley, Shawal. Dawegar and Dande plain near the Durand Line. The Kabulkhel contains Miami,Malakshahis,Pipali'Saifali are located in Shewa tehsil.Kabulkhel has two regions in Waziristan namely Shawal and Shawa.They migrate to Shawal in summer.