Talking culture: Baragai Attan of Waziristan fades out

Traditional dance at weddings losing popularity as women no longer participate

PESHAWAR: A two-hour discussion was held on Baragai Attan — a dancing tradition — in which people from Waziristan participated at Peshawar Press Club on Sunday. The participants discussed why and how the tradition has vanished.

“Baragai Attan was a part of our culture and was held in high regard,” Ayaz Wazir, a resident of Waziristan, said at the debate held under Gomal Debate Forum, a local youth forum that holds discussions on issues common to Waziristan. “It creates unity and mutual affection.”

Baragai Attan was widely carried out about three decades back. It was a traditional dance in which men and women danced, singing songs or tapas to the beat of drums, usually at weddings. However, it is said during the Afghan war times, the tradition started vanishing.

When women can’t

Wazir added the tradition was a reflection of the lives people lived when there were little to no restrictions on women unlike the patriarchal fetters of today. He said the tradition has unfortunately vanished.

Nasirullah Khan a participant at the discussion said one of the reasons why the tradition lost its standing was women nowadays do not have the freedom they used to. “The local jirga does not help women. The Frontier Crimes Regulation does not protect basic human rights, let alone women rights.”

Nasirullah added, “Today, not even basic rights that women should have---such as those pertaining to women—can be protected; there is no judicial forum which can help.” Nasirullah urged the government to prioritise such issues.

He also suggested the government establish a culture and arts department at FATA Secretariat so centuries-old traditions of tribespeople can be preserved.

Performing arts are not the only thing impacted by way of conservatism; traditional dresses are also fading out of fashion. Ganr Khat used to be a popular outfit for women in Waziristan. A modest dress, but nonetheless it could not withstand the restrictions on women which included shuttlecock burqas.

At the end of the programme it was requested the Council of Islamic Ideology give its recommendations on the wearing of shuttlecock burqa, which participants asked should be banned.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2016.