The Chagharzais or Chagarzais are a division of the Malizai clan of the
Yousafzai tribe. Colonel Wylly, Harold Carmichael, 1858–1932, described these people in the following words:
Origin
Chagharzais are the descendants of Chaghar or Chagar (Chagharzai), the son of Mali (Malizai) who was one of the sons of Yousaf (Yousafzai). They are divided into following sub-divisions:
Sections and sub-sections (Khels)
The three Chagarzai sub-divisions are further divided into following Sections and Sub-sections:
Demographics
The Chagharzais occupy the country on either side of the
Indus river
The Indus ( ) is a transboundary river of Asia and a trans-Himalayan river of South and Central Asia. The river rises in mountain springs northeast of Mount Kailash in Western Tibet, flows northwest through the disputed region of Kashmi ...
. They are located on the western slopes of Tor Ghar (Black Mountain), to the north of the
Akazais. The southern boundary of the Chagarzais is contiguous with that of the
Akazais. It follows the spur of the Tor Ghar running from the Machai Sar (peak) to the Indus bank — the southern face of the spur belonging to the Akazais and the northern to the Chagarzais. On the west and north the Indus forms the boundary, while on the east the Chagarzais are bounded by the territory of the Deshiwals and of the Pariari Saiyids.
Culture and traditions
Chagharzais have maintained their cultural identity and individuality. They lead their lives strictly in accordance with code of ethics of ''
Pashtunwali
Pashtunwali or Pakhtunwali ( ps, پښتونولي) is the traditional lifestyle and is best described as a code of honor of the Pashtun people, by which they live. Scholars widely have interpreted it as being "the way of the Afghans" or "the code ...
'' which comprises Manliness, Goodness, Gallantry, Loyalty and Modesty. Chagharzais maintain the Pashtun customs of ''
Jirga
A jirga ( ps, جرګه, ''jərga'') is an assembly of leaders that makes decisions by consensus according to Pashtunwali, the Pashtun social code. It is conducted in order to settle disputes among the Pashtuns, but also by members of other ethni ...
'' (consultative assembly), ''
Nanawati'' (delegation pleading guilty), ''
Hujhra'' (large drawing room) and ''
Melmasteya'' (hospitality).
Recent developments
On 28 January 2011, Tor Ghar became the 25th District of
Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
Tor Ghar: Kala Dhaka becomes 25th K-P district
The Express Tribune. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011. Judba is the Capital of this newly born district with tehsils of Judba, Kandar Hassanzai and Mada Khel. Most of the Chagharzai areas come under the Judba tehsil.
References
{{Pashtun tribes
Social groups of Pakistan
Yusufzai Pashtun tribes