Or nomads. Very little is known or have been written about the nomadic population of Pakistan. I know that these people exist in large numbers in the desolate and rugged areas of Baluchistan, and Sarhad, although I really haven’t had a chance of reading about their lifestyles, social intricacies and survival skills.
My interest first grew in nomads on one of the trips to Baluchistan, when we came across scattered tent cities in the middle of no where and far away from any inhabitation, and in a way I was much fascinated and saddened to see those people living in such harsh conditions and the never unsanswered question always stayed somewhere in the back of my mind; what would prompt someone to live in such harsh conditions and on a constant move. Yet, they have existed for many centuries, and most likely the urban modernization has not affected them much. So, this thread is dedicated to all the Khana badosh of Pakistan. Please share any experiences or articles.
There’s this group of Kashmiri nomads who are often known as the ‘billi maar’. (literally: Cat eaters/ killers) Often seen dwelling in slums around murree, islamabad, lahore. They speak punjabi-kashmiri.
Has anybody else ever heard of them Just curious
Here’s a link to an article about Afghan Kuchis (gypsies who have moved between Afghanistan and Pakistan for centuaries)
Many Kuchis have settled in Pakistan because of the recent war, but havent given up their nomadic ways. They move to northern areas of Pakistan in summers (abbotabad, murree etc) and return to plains in winters (Peshawar, Rwp etc) Their ancestors used to travel between Kabul and Peshawar- Peshawar was the winter capital of the Kingdom of Afghanistan until about 100 years ago. The nomads moved back to Kabul every year in Summers when the snows melted.
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There's this group of Kashmiri nomads who are often known as the 'billi maar'. (literally: Cat eaters/ killers) Often seen dwelling in slums around murree, islamabad, lahore. They speak punjabi-kashmiri.
Has anybody else ever heard of them Just curious
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my moms from Jhang, Punjab and she tell us stories about these 'billi maars' who live in Jhang.
a few of the familys even converted to Islam and started being known as 'Deen Daars' instead of 'Billi Maars'.
Interesting read, SCS. I know the term kuchi quite well, and many of you who are from peshawar would certainly have been to Kuchi bazaar. I am not aware how the name originated, but it's one of the ancient bazaars in the heart of peshawar. There is also a place called "Jhuggian" in Abbottabad, which was initially inhabited by nomads and then they turned it into a market for selling smuggled goods. I think jhuggi is like a wigwam, used by the red indians. There used to be jhuggian around multan as well, where i am from. I have also heard about billi maars, but didn't know they were also nomads, or khana badosh..
Just curious