Spectators watch the traditional famous Pashtun Khatak Dance. PHOTO: ZULFIQAR ALI
This traditional dance of the Pashtuns, of which the famous Khattak dance is a variation, has seen a resurgence in the tribal area during this campaign season. The dance, which is often performed by men at important social events or festivals such as weddings and Eid, was ‘discouraged’ by the Taliban when they emerged as an influence in the tribal areas in early 2000s. Despite there not being a formal ban, locals were afraid to perform this dance in case it invited the Taliban’s wrath.
The use of Attan in election rallies in the tribal areas has stirred emotions long suppressed under the Taliban, and enticed scores of tribesmen into being a part of the electoral process. Many tribesmen flock to the rallies in order to see and participate in the dance.
“Six drum beaters accompanied the procession… we performed Attan at the Wana Rustam Bazaar first… we then proceeded to Kari Kot, Ghawa Khawa and finally Azam Warsak Bazaar on foot, dancing at each stop,” said Asgher Khan, part of local candidate Ali Wazir’s procession in Wana, the main town of the South Waziristan Agency.
“It was an enjoyable moment for me… Both the young and the old performed the Attan. I also danced after a long time in order to show my support for Ali Wazir,” he added.
Election campaigns in Wana are quite a spectacle, looking more like medieval processions than modern election rallies. Candidates often lead their processions on horseback, accompanied by thousands of supporters, most of who travel by foot. Some supporters even ride camels which have been draped with the party’s flag and colours. These processions travel from village to village, projecting a message of strength and resilience in the face of militant threats.
Despite the rocket attack on the rally of independent candidate Nasirullah Wazir, which claimed two lives and left 22 people injured, and the ‘guideline’ for candidates issued by the Taliban, election campaigns have continued with the same fervour as before and tribesmen have not been deterred from taking part in the electoral process. In the bazaars and homes of Wana, the hot topic of debate is who’s voting for whom.
Over two dozen candidates are campaigning in Wana, especially in the areas of Shakai, Angoor Adda, Kari Kot, Spin, Azam Warsak and Toi Khulla, where Mullah Nazir’s Taliban group keeps a strong presence. So far, the local Taliban have shown no reaction to the very public Attan performances.
Among the various candidates, the strongest contenders seem to be progressive, young independent candidates Ali Wazir Advocate and Nasirullah Wazir, as well as PML-N candidate Ghalib Khan Advocate and PTI’s Ajab Gul Wazir. JUI-F candidate Maulana Abdul Malik, who won the seat in the 2002 and 2008 elections, seems to enjoy less support as compared to his previous runs.
This new inclination towards progressive candidates, and the return of the Attan signals a sea change in mindsets after a decade of Talibanisation shattered the social fabric of the region.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2013.
COMMENTS (8)
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Sorry to say, it was not a Khatak dance but was election campaign rally, I was a part of this rally, arranged by Ali Wazir, a candidate for NA-41, on May 08,2013. The rally started from Tablighi Markaz Wana while ended at Azam Warsak Bazar. There were six thousand and five hundred vehicles, 10 camels, 200 motor bikes and more than thirty thousand people took part at rally that came from the different areas of Waziristan. The people shown at the pictures actually kept sitting to hear Ali Wazir speech. In Waziristan, there is local traditions that at the end of election campaign, every candidate arrange a rally to show his strength or vote bank.
@Fact finder: You're absolutely correct. Attan and Khattak dances are VERY different. Unsure who created the attan but the Khattak tribe introduced the Khattak dance which involves cloth ribbons or swords. Attan does not involve any props.
as usal good piece of zulfeqar wazir...
Taliban are followers of traditions not religion!! If their tradition allows them to dance, they will do and allow others to do as well! They use religion as Mask only!
Saudis culture should go back to Saudi Arabia.
Actually, there is a difference between Khattak Dance and Tribal Dance ( Attan) of the Mehsud and Wazir tribes of South Waziristan. i do not know why the Mehsud and Wazir Attan is attributed to Khattak.
Let the Attan remain a part of Pakistani culture since it connotes human joy and happiness. The Taliban can go on doing what they want but the human element will eventually, overcome all obstacles. Salams to Pakistan
It is about time the poor masses of FATA wake up and defeat the rightwing party candidates who have been supporting the terrorists. Great to see the local coming back to their culture.