Shall we dance?: Amidst election fever, the Attan returns
Despite informal Taliban ‘ban’, the traditional dance is being performed across S Waziristan.
Spectators watch the traditional famous Pashtun Khatak Dance. PHOTO: ZULFIQAR ALI
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
No matter who waltzes into the prime minister’s house at the end of this election, South Waziristan is already swinging away – to the rhythms of the Attan.
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.
No matter who waltzes into the prime minister’s house at the end of this election, South Waziristan is already swinging away – to the rhythms of the Attan.
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.