Wazir (Pashtun Tribe) - Tribes and Sub-tribes

Tribes and Sub-tribes

Technically, Wazirs fall into three major branches: the Gurbaz Wazir, Mehsud Wazir, and the Darweshkhel Wazir. Whilst the former two are commonly referred to as Gurbaz and Mehsud respectively, the Darweshkhel Wazir are referred to commonly as 'Wazir'. The Darweshkhel trace their descent from a holy man by the name of Musa Darwesh, who is buried in the Birmal region. The other two Wazir tribes are descendants of his siblings. Birmal holds a place of veneration for Wazirs, as it is the final resting ground of most of their earliest ancestors. The Darweshkhel Wazirs are further divided into two groups: Ahmadzai and Uthmanzai.

Ahmadzai are mainly based in South Waziristan (Wana), the flats of Thal, the Birmal plateau, as well as parts of the Bannu District designated as Frontier Regions (Daryubo Agency). There are two main branches: 'Sainkhel (Hussain khel) and Kalokhel.

The Uthmanzai hold sway in North Waziristan (Miranshah). They are divided into three main sections: Ibrahimkhel, Walikhel and Mohmitkhel. These sections are further subdivided into several sub-sections.

The Waziris of South Waziristan and Thal (also called Keerlostai by local people) are of the Ahmad Zai wazir sub-tribes of SEN KHAIL(Hussain Khail)ie Eithikhail, Sarkikhail, Umarzai and Seith khail,and The kalokhail Ahmad zai clains of Sparkis, Paindakeil, bodinkail, while the waziris from North waziristan, ZwoniKheil (Janikheil) and Baka Khail are of Othmanzai wazir sub-tribe.

The Wazirs dominate the hilly tracts; Khaisora, Sherathala Plain, Kaitu valley, Lower stretches of the Kurram River, Frontier regions of Bannu i.e. (adjacent area to Karak), Baka khel, Zwoni Khel (Janikhaeil) (area between North Waziristan and Bannu) and upper parts of the Tochi Valley beyond Kharakamar. Thal IN South Waziristan, Major Centers of Wazir habitations are Shakai, (Hathi Khel, Khonia khel SPERKI etc), Wana plains (all Ahmadzai tribes), Speen Plain, (Zalikheil ahmadzai) Birmal (THE ORIGINAL ANCESTRAL CENTRE OF Ahmad zai Wazirs)

The Wazir tribes are divided into sub-tribes governed by male village elders, who meet in a tribal jirga. Socially and religiously, Waziristan is an extremely conservative area. Women are carefully guarded, and every household must be headed by a male figure. Tribal cohesiveness is also strong, through so-called Collective Responsibility Acts in the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

The indigenous law code of the Waziri tribes is referred to as Waziri or Wazirwali. It is a unique feature of the sociopolitical landscape, which has served the Waziri tribesmen well. Most internal disputes are solved relatively peacefully under this code, sparing the Wazirs the debilitating blood-feuds which plague other tribes. The actual stipulations are derived from a local interpretation of Sharia law, the precepts of Pashtunwali, and possibly, pre-existing tribal codes. The law was originated by the elders of three major septs of the Darweshkhel, who are collectively referred to as Loya Wazir (Greater Wazir). This title purely honorary, and carries no additional privileges other than acknowledgement of the service they rendered their brethren.

They have a formidable reputation as warriors9 (Waziristan MUGHAL, WAZIR BRITISH WARS OF 18th, 19th and 20th Century) and are known for their frequent blood feuds. Traditionally, feuding local Waziri religious leaders have enlisted outsiders while this is not the reality as quoted by the local people who claim they are totally against the foreign militants living here.