![Bettani Tribe](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Bettani_Tribe.jpg)
The Bettani ( ps, بېټني), also spelled Baittani or Bhittani, is a
Pashtun
Pashtuns (, , ; ps, پښتانه, ), also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans, are an Iranian ethnic group who are native to the geographic region of Pashtunistan in the present-day countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were historically re ...
tribe located mostly in
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
and
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...
. The Bettani are named after ''Shaykh Beṭ'',
their legendary ancestor who is said to be the second son of
Qais Abdur Rashid. The Bettani's are
Sunni Muslims of Hanafi sect. The Bettani confederacy includes the tribes of Bettanis, and Matti tribes progeny of BiBi Mattu daughter of Sheikh Bettan. These include
Lodi also known as
Lohani
Lohani, also known as Nuhani, is a Pashtun tribal sub-group from among the Lodi tribe.Haroon Rashid, "History of the Pathans", Vol.III, p-367-89 They migrated to their present-day location in Tank, Frontier Region Tank, Lakki Marwat and Dera Is ...
, as well as the tribes of
Marwat
The Marwat ( ps, مروت) is a Pashtun tribe, a branch of the Lohani tribe and belong to Lodi section, located primarily in Lakki Marwat District, parts of Dera Ismail Khan District, some villages of Tank district in Pakistan and in the Kataw ...
, and
Niazi
Niazi (; , ps, نيازي; ur, نیازی) Niazai, Nyazi, Nyazai, Niyazi or Niyazai is one of the largest Pashtun tribes which resides in Afghanistan and northwestern part of Pakistan.
The earliest work which provides the details about ...
while
Shirani has also been mentioned as part of Bettanis.
History
According to Makhzan-e-Afghani the Bettani are said to be named after their ancestor Betṭ Baba (claimed by a legend to be the first
Pashto
Pashto (,; , ) is an Eastern Iranian language in the Indo-European language family. It is known in historical Persian literature as Afghani ().
Spoken as a native language mostly by ethnic Pashtuns, it is one of the two official langua ...
poet), who lived in the Altamur range which is located between
Logar and
Zurmat
Zurmat ( ps, زرمت) is the main town of Zurmat District in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. Zurmat is the largest city of Paktia Province, while Zurmat District, with a population of 109,805, is also the most populous district of the province. and he was buried in
Ghazni
Ghazni ( prs, غزنی, ps, غزني), historically known as Ghaznain () or Ghazna (), also transliterated as Ghuznee, and anciently known as Alexandria in Opiana ( gr, Αλεξάνδρεια Ωπιανή), is a city in southeastern Afghanistan ...
according to the legend.
Bhittani's of Quetta Balochistan:- according to Captain J.A Robinson "Notes on Nomad Tribes of Eastern Afghanistan" published in 1934, out of 100 families of Powinda/Nomad Bhittani's, there were three villages of Bhittani's in Karabagh and Ghazni and about out of 100 families, 30 families merged with "Mian Khel" and 70 families scattered among the "Nasar" tribes. The means of livelihood of these Bhittani's were the same as that of the tribes with which they live. Some of these families of katagran clan of nomad Bhittani's migrated towards Quetta in 1880s and started their abode with Kamal khails, Naimat Khels and Yahya Khel clans of nomad Nasar tribes.
The Betani are known to have lived in the
Logar,
Zurmat
Zurmat ( ps, زرمت) is the main town of Zurmat District in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. Zurmat is the largest city of Paktia Province, while Zurmat District, with a population of 109,805, is also the most populous district of the province. and
Ghazni
Ghazni ( prs, غزنی, ps, غزني), historically known as Ghaznain () or Ghazna (), also transliterated as Ghuznee, and anciently known as Alexandria in Opiana ( gr, Αλεξάνδρεια Ωπιανή), is a city in southeastern Afghanistan ...
area until the 15th century, but then they came into conflict with the
Ghilji
The Ghiljī ( ps, غلجي, ; fa, خیلجی, Xelji) also spelled Khilji, Khalji, or Ghilzai or Ghilzay (), are one of the largest Pashtun tribes. Their traditional homeland is Ghazni and Qalati Ghilji in Afghanistan but they have also sett ...
and the Bettanis were expelled from the area towards the east. Some lineages succeeded to take control of Gabarḡar, which is located between the
Bannu Basin and Dēra, while other Bettani lineages migrated further northeastwards.
[Gazetteer of Bannu][Balland, Daniel. ''Encyclopædia Iranica'']
BĒṬANĪ
Originally published on 15 December 1989.
Settlements
Bettani reside in Pakistan in
Tank
A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engi ...
and
Lakki Marwat
Lakki Marwat or Lakki (Urdu and ps, ) is the headquarters of Lakki Marwat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Lakki Marwat has become one of the fastest growing cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Lakki Marwat is also the 20th mos ...
, a territory that is a buffer zone separating Tank and Lakki Marwat districts from the
Mahsud
The Mahsud or Mehsood ( ps, محسود), also spelled Maseed ( ps, ماسيد), is a Karlani Pashtun tribe inhabiting mostly the South Waziristan Agency in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, now merged within Khy ...
tribe of central
Waziristan
Waziristan (Pashto and ur, , "land of the Wazir") is a mountainous region covering the former FATA agencies of North Waziristan and South Waziristan which are now districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Waziristan covers some . ...
in Pakistan's
Federally Administered Tribal Areas
, conventional_long_name = Federally Administered Tribal Areas
, nation = Pakistan
, subdivision = Autonomous territory
, image_flag = Flag of FATA.svg
, image_coat = File:Coat of arms ...
.
Jandola
Jandola ( ps, ) is the main town of Tank Subdivision (formerly known as "Frontier Region Tank") in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is located at the boundary of South Waziristan. It has a population of 9,126 according to the 2017 Census ...
is considered the capital of the Bettani tribes.
[Castes of Punjab by Ibettson]
District Tank, DI Khan, Lakki Marwat & Punjab, District Shakar Garh
The area is mainly inhabited by the Bhittanis who have four sub-sections namely Tatta, Bakhtiyari, Waraspon, and Dhanna. They also inhabit D.I. Khan and Bannu, mostly the mountainous area on the borders of Tank and Bannu from the Gabbar mountain in the north to the Gomal valley in the south.
[The Pathan Boderland, Spain]
During the reign of Pashtun Sultans of Delhi, some of them enjoyed prestigious positions, and a large number of them used to serve in the Sultanate's army.
[Makhzan-e- Afghani]
Bhittanis tribe is divided in four sections: Tattao- at Jandola, Siraghar, Dera Ismail Khan and some adjoining areas; Bakhtiyari- at some part of Pakistan, Petlad-Gujarat (India) and some adjoining areas; Dhanna- on the Gabbar mountain and in Lakki Marwat; Waraspun- inhabiting the Dera Ismail Khan and some adjoining valleys. District Lakki Marwat is inhabited by the Boba, Bobak and Wargara clans of the Bhittanis. Most of Danni- inhabiting in Tank and some adjoining valleys.
Organisation of the tribe
The Bettani tribe has four sub-
tribes
The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in part due to confli ...
, which are called ''Tattha'', ''Bakhtiyari'', ''Wraspoon'' and ''Dhana''. The Tattha is further subdivided into three clans: the Umarkhail, Aba Khel, Naimat Khel and Khaishi. The Dhana tribe is divided into Ali khail, Bobi, Waroki and Dadi Khel subclans. The Wraspoon subdivides into Mazyani, Tari, Chapli and Shakhi. The Betani have always been few in numbers: From 8–9,000 in about 1884 they are said to have increased to more than 43,000 by about 1960. The current numbers of Bettani tribe around 200,000 and 250,000 individuals.
Cultural notes
Hospitality is given importance and
tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of ''Camellia sinensis'', an evergreen shrub native to East Asia which probably originated in the borderlands of southwestern China and north ...
is the most popular consumable item. The tribe has demonstrated a keen interest in facilitating the educational accomplishments of youth; as a result, several doctors of this tribe contribute their services in different parts of the country and abroad. Bettanis are patriotic and loyal to their country. The tribal youth are fond of sports, including traditional sports Hinda,
Kabadi, Kath Kath,
football,
volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. It has been a part of the official program of the Sum ...
and
cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by str ...
. Cricket and football are popular sports among the youth. Bettani is fond of traditional dancing called (Attan, Tarai). During marriage parties, anyone can join the night dancing party without any formal invitation. Traditional drummers (Daman) were hired during marriage parties to entertain the participants. The dancing styles of this tribe are very different from other Pashtun tribes. People of all ages can be seen dancing at parties. Similarly, the female of this tribe are also fond of dancing particularly on the occasion of marriages but they do it within their houses, separately. The local female drummers were hired for entertaining the females. In most of the marriages, a big launch is offered to the relatives, villagers and participants of the marriage. While in the evening close friends and relatives are invited for dinner. During evening dinner drummers are playing the drums and the relatives and friends come along with sheep or goats, it is called in Pashtu 'Balanai'. On Balanai aerial firing was also given by the attendants on the entry into the marriage premises. Cousin marriages are common in this tribe. Tribal women are very fond of wearing ornaments and jewellery of all types made of gold and silver. A lot of money is spent on the local ceremonies, particularly on marriage, death, birth and other ceremonies/festivals like the celebration of Eid and performing Hajj. Most marriages are
arranged
In music, an arrangement is a musical adaptation of an existing composition. Differences from the original composition may include reharmonization, melodic paraphrasing, orchestration, or formal development. Arranging differs from orchest ...
, and most people live in a joint family system.
All Pakistan Bett Baba Football Tournament
Annual All Pakistan Bett Baba Football Tournament was organized at erstwhile Tank Jandola Sub division. The football teams from all over the country participating in the tournament. Recently the final match chief guest was IG FC South Major General Umar Bashir. The tournament was jointly organized by the FC South and Elders of the tribe and took place over 35 days.
Bettani Foods
Commonly eaten foods include
ghee, a bread called ''aishal'',
beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus'').
In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantit ...
,
Painda, and boiled
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species '' Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera '' Zizania'' and '' Porteresia'', both wild and domesticat ...
with
Lassi
Lassi () is a regional name for buttermilk, the traditional dahi (yogurt)–based drink, consumed in the South Asian region. Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices, and sometimes fruit. Salty lassi is similar to doogh, while modern sweet l ...
, Potato curry, Butter Kari, Milk kari, boiled meat, Fried meat "Larmoon", Beef pualao, Chicken Pualao, Sweet rice (Zarda), Boiled Grains, wheat Halwa (Sweet), salt onion bread, sweet bread (Kakoray), fried tomato, fried eggs, tomato sauce, all kind of vegetables curry, makan and pure ghee.Desert include tikdhee (a sugar and flour mixed cookies) Drinks includes tea, lemonade and lasi (butter water).
Politics
Bettani tribe culture is different from other
Pashtuns
Pashtuns (, , ; ps, پښتانه, ), also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans, are an Iranian ethnic group who are native to the geographic region of Pashtunistan in the present-day countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were historically r ...
.
In minor matters, disputes are common and sometimes ongoing for decades. On different occasions, they also cooperate, and their internal matters are decided in three Bettani ''
jirga
A jirga ( ps, جرګه, ''jərga'') is an assembly of leaders that makes decisions by consensus according to Pashtunwali, the Pashtuns, Pashtun social code. It is conducted in order to settle disputes among the Pashtuns, but also by members of oth ...
'' (tribal councils/(dary bettanay) based upon the three subclans of Tattha, Wraspoon and Dhana. The rival families give complete authority to the three Bettani councils, and the council's decisions are generally obeyed, but in cases of opposition to these decisions, a family may be fined. If the dispute is of bigger nature between the tribes then the DCO, MNA and Senators, elders, sometimes from neighbouring Districts also participate in the jirga to resolve the disputes. The people have to accept the decision made by the jirga. The jirga results are presented to the DCO for information and record. If any one of the parties is not happy or satisfied with the decision made by the jirga then the grieved party can go to the appellate court and then the Home Department. Traditionally the household head has a stronghold and decision-making power for the whole family. The wives are traditionally submissive to their husbands and the likelihood of divorce or separation in the tribal society is negligible. The Bhittani are the hereditary enemies of the Mahsuds, however, over the centuries they have joined them during important battles against invaders. In August 2007, Bhittani tribesmen threatened a Lashkar against Mahsud tribesmen if they did not return 16 kidnapped Bhittanis. Mahsud raiders had to pass through Bhittani territory to enter the nearby areas so the Mehsud tribe always avoid any kind of clash with the Bhittani tribe.
Occupations
Agriculture is a widespread source of income as the land is very fertile. Crops include
tomatoes
The tomato is the edible berry of the plant ''Solanum lycopersicum'', commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word gave rise to the Spanish word ...
,
sugar cane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, perennial grass (in the genus '' Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fibrous stalk ...
,
wheat
Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain that is a worldwide staple food. The many species of wheat together make up the genus ''Triticum'' ; the most widely grown is common wheat (''T. aestivum''). The archaeologi ...
, beans,
melons
A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. The word "melon" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a " pepo". Th ...
and other
fruits and
vegetables
Vegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers, fruits, stems ...
. Livestock, such as
sheep
Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus '' Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticated ...
,
goats
The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of th ...
and
cattle
Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult ma ...
, are a primary source of income. Most of the aged tribeswomen work in fields with the other family members. Especially tomato is the main crop cultivated in different areas including Ummar Adda, Maghzai, Tank Zam area and Tank. Many of the men of this tribe serve in the Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps. Many people of this tribe work as PTC and CT teachers in the education department in the respective districts. Nowadays scores of Bettani tribesmen are engaged in business, trade, commerce, Government and private sector and other respectable professions like the medical field. The tribesmen are serving the country with a spirit of devotion and dedication.
Education
Nearly 60 per cent people of the tribe are educated. Earlier people dependent only on the agriculture and livestock but now most of the keen to provide education to their children. Several government Primary and few high schools and one Government College for Boys is imparting education to the students in District Tank. However, there is dire need to establish more primary and high schools particularly for female students. According to one survey, nearly 90 per cent youth of the tribe have basic education. But to poverty several people only have access to high, secondary schools and colleges. It is a good sign that the educated youth are broad minded and talented. The people will appreciate government and non government organizations to come forward and establish more educational institutions, technical and vocational centers in the areas. Annually eight students four from lakki and four from tank of the Tribe, availing admission opportunity on Quota in Medical colleges of the country. Most of students students is very fashionable, modern and open mind
Bettani Tourism
Sur Ghar (Red Hill), is a hill destination near Peeng Area bordering the South Waziristan Agency. Some of the tribesmen are residing there permanently, while some families during summer shifting there for enjoying the pleasant weather. The weather of Sur Ghar remained pleasant during summer. Another place is "Khuviya", a forest in the hills, used for hunting Teeter birds and Rabbits. Another place is Tank Zam, (a proposed small dam) a stream where hills water dividing into three streams. Other famous hills included Sobati Katch, Jandola, Manzai, and Wali Lakki Hills.
Bhittani Sufi Saints
The Shrine of Mama Peer is situated near Umar Adda (a town in the settled area), several people in the area visit shrine of Mama Peer on daily basis and particularly on Friday. A large number of devotees also visit the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Younas situated near Jandola.
Weather
The climate in the region is hot in summer, with high temperatures around 110 °F, and cool in winter, with low temperatures around 40 °F. The average annual rainfall amount is 10 to 11 inches, with most rainfall in July and August. The driest months are October and November. Most of the streams which originate from the region are seasonal and normally end up in the arid plains of District Tank. The region experiences hot summers and cold winters. The summer season is from April to October with June, July and August as the hottest months. The winter season is from November to March, with December, January and February as the coldest months.
Religion
The Bettani tribe are Muslim, Both Sunni and Shia Sect.
Notable people
*
Qais Abdur Rashid
*
Zafar Beg Bhittani
*
Sheikh Mohammad Rohani Sheikh Muhammad Rohani(1220-1305 AD)(Pashto:شيخ محمد روحانى) also known as Shah Muhammad Rohani and Rohani Ba Ba was a Sufi cleric born around 1220 AD. The cleric, whose shrine in southern Afghanistan attracts thousands of Sufi visitors ...
*
Mufti Abdul Shakoor
References
{{Reflist
Further reading
* Muntazir Bettani Poetry book Kuthab stuarey
* Historical Pashtu book written by Sohail Bettani "De Bettanu Tarikh" (History of Bhittani Tribe)
* The Batani, Baitani or Bhittani 1935) "Powindah Bhittani" ''Notes on Nomad Tribes of Eastern Afghanistan'' Government of India Press, New Delhi, India, page 158.
* Daniel Balland
* Encyclopædia Iranica
* Sulaiman Maku Book Tazkerat Al Awliya (Memoirs of Saints) (612 Hijera, 1216 AD) edited and annotated by Abdul Hai Habibi
Pashtun tribes
Pashto-language surnames