Pakistani fence ‘barrier’ to nomadism

It is late evening, the sun is about to set, and in the light of the red edges of the sky, a nomad is waiting outside his tent for the flock to come from the pasture.

To her right, a young nomadic woman in bright traditional dress prepares tea in a black kettle over a bush fire while another elderly woman kneads dough, her children playing around the tent.

This is the scene of an evening in the daily life of an Afghan nomadic family, deprived of amenities whose simple life is interrupted by travel.

They have no permanent abode, wherever they camp and camp, that is their home. Cattle (livestock) is their world and their only purpose of living is to find pastures and water. Life’s sorrows, sorrows, joys, marriages, deaths and other rituals and ceremonies have to be paid during the journey itself.

According to a United Nations estimate, there are 2.5 million Afghan nomads, known locally as Kochi, who for centuries have traveled between Pakistan and Afghanistan or within Afghanistan twice a year as the weather changes.

However, there is no confirmed data of their number anywhere. Their numbers are gradually decreasing after the fencing of the Pakistan-Afghan border, as they say they are not being allowed to cross the border. Neither to enter Afghanistan in February-March nor to return to Pakistan in August-September.

Kochi is derived from the Pashto or Dari word ‘Koch’ which means migration. Kochi are also locally known as Pawanda and Kadwal. It is not a single tribe but a collection of various Pashtun tribes including Dutani, Turkai, Safi, Sulaiman Khel, Sulaimanzai, Ahmadzai and others.

The Kochi still live their traditional lifestyle and spend most of the year traveling thousands of miles in caravans and caravans. They are traveling on foot along centuries-old traditional routes from Daman, Pakistan to Khorasan, Afghanistan, carrying their herds of cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys along with daily necessities. The Pashto-speaking Kochi have unique culture and traditions.

In the spring, with the melting of the snow on the mountain tops and the change of wind, the Kochi begin to return with their cattle and camp in the pastures at the foot of the mountains. They have immense love for their cattle. They start their journey early in the morning by tying their belongings on camels and donkeys to the next destination, where they find water and green grass, take down their tents and camp.

Nomads also use the land of Balochistan during this journey between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They travel through the areas of Chaman, Pashin, Qila Saifullah, Zhob and Shirani to their next destination. The Kochi live near water bodies, including the Zhob River, or in the plains and mountain passes. Sometimes even the stagnant rain water is exploited. Nomadic women fetch water in muskets made of goat skins. In case of illness, home remedies and herbs are used.

The translator of Balochistan Gazetteers Prof. Mir Hasan Khan Atul tells about the history of Kochis that Afghan nomads used to go to Bombay and Calcutta before the partition of India, but after the partition of India these people were limited to Pakistan and Afghanistan and after 1980 these people Others were restricted because they could not travel with freedom and ease due to the war in Afghanistan.

A large group of nomads used to come to Dera Ismail Khan via the river Gomal. Then Kochi used to spread from here to Central and South Punjab. Another group used to go to Dera Ismail Khan via Ghazni and Paktia via Qamaruddin Qariz, Zhob and Dahana Sar and then spread to South Punjab. The nomads who came from Helmand, Sistan and Kandahar mostly went through Pashin Valley and Dara Bolan to Inner Sindh, Dera Bugti and Eastern Baluchistan.

He told Independent Urdu: ‘According to my estimation, the most beautiful and effective work on Kochis was done during the British Raj. Because the British wanted to bring these people under the tax regime, but there are many other historians and writers, who have worked on the nomads. Among them is the book ‘The Wandering Falcons’ by the author Jameel Ahmed, in this book the author has published information about the lifestyle of the nomads and the Bodobash.

According to Professor Mir Hasan, the nomads, also known as Kochi or Pawanda in Pashto, depend heavily on thermal cattle for their livelihood. But at the same time, these people also did small business. For example, these people used to bring dry fruits, kurt, desi ghee, herbs, hing, etc. from Afghanistan and sell them in Punjab, and on the other hand, these people used to sell various tools, jaggery, sugar, commodities, sweets, slippers or other goods from Afghanistan. Used to sell in areas.

Fifty-five-year-old nomad Nik Muhammad, who lives in a tent in a pasture along the road connecting Balochistan with South Waziristan, belongs to the Sulaimanzai tribe. According to him, all his capital and property is only his cattle. Hence, the Kochi make a difficult, dangerous and tiring journey between Afghanistan and Pakistan. God knows how long the life of travel will be their destiny.

Nik Mohammad told Independent Urdu that he was stopped at the border while returning to Pakistan from Afghanistan, but he crossed the border through another route and reached here. ‘We faced difficulties while traveling at night through unfamiliar routes. There was fatigue, thirst, bad sleep and our children were crying because of hunger and thirst. Now we intend to go ahead. He will stay in Musa Khel (Baluchistan) after which he will go to Taunsa Sharif Punjab. It was not possible for us to go back. for our weak and emaciated cattle were not able to go back and travel any further.’

About his long and arduous journey on foot, Nik Mohammad said that he comes to Pakistan from Afghanistan via Qamrudin and Sarwandai. ‘One way to Surondai is to Varsk. A path leads to Minzragha. People cross the border from Khost to Peshawar. The people of Muqar and Nawe regions enter Pakistan from Afghanistan through Toba Kakadi and Surjangal.

Sixty-year-old Ghulam, who belongs to the Dotani tribe, spent his childhood and youth traveling between the two neighboring countries and now along with his family and other nomadic relatives have arrived near Kali Hazrat Sahib on Afghanistan’s Sharan-Wana Waziristan road. . They are weighing up to go further to Mianwali. According to them, they reached Angoor Adda (Wana, a border area bordering South Waziristan) from Afghanistan but were not allowed to enter Pakistan.

Ghulam Khan further said that he was born in Safar. According to him, earlier there was a lot of freedom, they used to come to Pakistan via Kochivarsk, Anguar Adda or Anzara, but now they are stopped at the border. ‘Half of our cattle died on the way, some were unable to walk.’

Gulbat Dotani, enjoying green tea to relieve his fatigue in a black tent (Kezhdai), said that he went to Afghanistan last spring but is now not being allowed to enter Pakistan on his return. “Both our men and women have national identity cards. We collected our identity cards and showed them to the Subedar of the FC in Varsk, then we were told that you are not allowed to cross the border. Our tractor-trailers were allowed to enter Angorad, but people and cattle were not allowed to cross the border. Now we have reached here by unknown routes, leaving behind our sick and weak animals. We are facing a lot of problems, why is the government not allowing us to cross the border and come to Pakistan? Where should we go and what should we do?’

He said: ‘I have six hundred cattle, where should I graze them in Pakistan? I have no other option but to either sell my cattle at a low price or go to Afghanistan permanently. There is no scope to spend more than one month in your area. We are forced to take our cattle to Afghanistan. People do not give us space in Diarghirim, Sulaiman Khel, Mandukhel, Dotani and Wazir tribes have their own areas. They do not allow others to live on their lands.’

According to Gulbat, they come to Pakistan in autumn, stay in Tui, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Kalachi and other warm areas and return to Afghanistan in spring. ‘We live in the mountains there, no one does injustice there, our lives are peaceful.’

Hayat Khan, a migrant from Irgun region of Afghanistan, asks: ‘Why is the border completely closed in front of us? what is the reason? We are Pakistanis, we have identity cards of Pakistan, and our land also belongs to Pakistan. We have been beaten while crossing the border, we have strong suspicions with Pakistan. Poor people were not spared either. Our lives are ruined.’

‘Lifelong journey is our destiny. Our ancient and original path is that of Varsk. But we were completely barred at Varsk. Then we reached Mandukhel region of Balochistan through a difficult route. Now continuing their journey through these mountain passes. We are traveling hungry and thirsty, we have no grain, tea and other foodstuffs, our cattle have either died on the way or are unable to walk. There was neither water nor grass in the desolate mountains. We traveled right and left on the unknown path. Now Toi Khola, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan will go next. The government did not help us, but created difficulties.’

Also, Kochi Akbar, who hails from Tui Khola, an area bordering South Waziristan, is not only suspicious of the government but also of his tribal chief (country). According to him, he is being oppressed by both the government and the country. Despite having an identity card, they are mistreated and harassed on the way. They have nothing but cattle.

We nomadic people go to Bhakkar, Dera Ismail Khan in winter and Afghanistan in summer. Sometimes they cross the border, sometimes they are across the border. We belong to Tu Tui area, we keep moving to different areas only because of wealth. At the border we are told, that you are not allowed. We are Pakistanis, our men and women have national identity cards.’

Nomadic women do not use a veil to cover their face while travelling. However, in Pashtun society, rural women generally have to cover their faces outside the home and in front of strangers. Along with walking, Kochi women spend their time fetching water, preparing curd cheese and lassi, and preparing tea and food. While in her spare time, she applies glasses decorated with traditional designs on clothes and embroiders with wool thread very finely. Married brides and young nomadic girls wear brightly colored dresses, decorated with traditional mirrors. Which not only shines in the sun but also smells while walking. Women use belt while traveling.

About Kochi rituals, Nik Mohammad said that people from different regions are invited on the occasion of marriage. Before marriage, all Kochis camp together. And marriage ceremonies are performed. Even on the occasion of a death, Kochi families gather together and feed them.

On the occasion of marriage, men and women are seated separately. The stalks are slaughtered. Yakhni shorba is prepared by cooking the meat in the traditional way. The bread is cut into small pieces and mixed with the broth. The bread is served to the guests by placing it in the eating vessels (kasas) and placing pieces of meat on top. We people of Sulaimanzai tribe do not perform traditional dance or Atnar to the beat of drum but other tribes do Atnar with drum. Drumming is common in the Dotani tribe.’

The journey of the nomads starts in the morning before sunrise. The tent is folded and all the goods are tied with ropes and placed on camels and donkeys. Children, infirm men and women are also lucky to ride camels and donkeys, children are tied to the camels and donkeys with ropes so that there is no danger of falling on the way. The nomadic dog goes ahead of the caravan, and deals with every danger that comes.

Nomadic women wear bright and shiny clothes. Their clothes are embroidered and engraved with great skill. Their shirts are decorated with pearls and stars that create jingle as they walk. While nomadic men wear simple clothing, turbans and waistcoats and use durable hunting shoes on long journeys.

Concerned about his future, Barish Ghulam said that if he is not allowed to come to the Pakistan-Afghan border, then he is forced to spend the winter here in Pakistan, even if he says his children, women or cattle. Why not die? Because in their words they cannot clash with the forces on the border.

There is no clear government policy regarding the arrival, crossing or entry of Afghan nomads into Pakistan, however, in this regard, the Minister of Interior Balochistan, spokesperson of the provincial government, Commissioner Zhob Division, former Political Agent Zhob, Chaman district adjacent to the Afghan border. Independent Urdu tried repeatedly to contact the Deputy Commissioner and Spokesman Frontier from Rabaluchistan, but all the said officials called it a problem of the federal government.