Bhittani

The Bhittani are a Pathan tribe located in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. The Bhittanis' area is a buffer zone separating Tank area from the Mahsud tribe of South Waziristan Region. The Bhittani tribe living in Frontier Region of Southern District Tank and also in Frontier Region District Lukki NWFP. Some of the families live in Balochistan and refer to themselves as Bottani instead of Bhittani. Tehsil Jandolla is considered the capital of the Bhitaani tribes in FR Tank.

In the history of Pakistan for the first time this tribe elected Member of National Assembly from the Frontier Region Zafar Beg Khan Bhittani and Provincial member from District Tank Gulistan Khan Bhittani in the general election of 2008. It is pertinent to mention that Muntazir Bhittani was the famous Pashtu Poet and lawyer and he was died last year in 2007. He wrot a famous Pashtu poetry book "Kutab Sthoray".

Bhittani tribe is divided in three sub-castes including Tattha, Wraspoon and Dhana. The Tattha is further subdivided in two clans, the Aba Khel, Naimat Khel, Khaishi, the Dhana tribe is divided into Waroki, Dadi Khel and Wraspoon in to Tari, Chapli and Shakhi. Most of the Dhana cast of this tribe living in Frontier Region Lukki and the FR (Frontier Region) Tank is mostly inhabited by Tattha sub tribe of Bhittanis and Wraspoon living in Frotier Region and also in district Tank settle area Ummer Adda. The tribe take keen interest to facilitate youth, with modern education and this is the cause that several Doctors of this tribe performing their services in Tank and many other hospitals. The people of this tribe take keen interest to provide education to the child at any cast. The tribe youth are fond of Sports including traditional Hinda, Kabadi, Kath Kath, football and Cricket.

Hospitality is important and if any stranger visits they must ask for launch or dinner but tea is the most important. The people of this tribe also living in UAE since 1972, and dozen of them performing their duties as a special guard in police department. The Bhittani tribe are famous for bravery. Bhittani are fond of traditional dancing and on the marriage parties they show their performance. They need no invitation for attending the marriage dancing party at night time, and every person allowed to participate.

The Bhittani tribe concluded on 30,000 according to the new numbering but before that they just in 12,000 thousands. Most of the tribeswomen working in fields with the other family members. In the settled areas of Tank, girls also go to school.

Commonly eaten foods include ghee and a bread, "Ashal", beef, Pinda, Boiled Rice with Lassi. Some people of this tribe work as a PTC and CT teachers in the governemnt schools in the frontier region and Tank. The Bhittani tribe culture are different from other Pathans and they are have different mind-set.Fact|date=July 2008

On different occasions they cooperate and the internal matter are decided on Three Bhittani Jerga concluded on Tattha, Wraspoon and Dhana. The rival families give full authority to the three Bhittani jerga, and the jerga's decisions are obeyed or the families will be fined. Most marriages are arranged by the parents, and the children to be wed obey their parents' wishes. Bhittani tribesmembers live in extended family units and work together to support their families; if someone works in government service or in foreign countries they support families. Most of the people of this tribe serve jobs in Frontier constabulary and Frontier Corp. Agriculture is a widespread source of income as the land is very fertile, and crops include tomatoes, sugar cane, wheat, grams, melons and other fruits and vegetables. Livestock, such as sheep, goats and cattle, are a primary source of income.

References

1. "Kutab Storay" Poetry book by Muntazir Bhittani

2. Historical Book "Da Bhittano Tarikh" (The History of Bhittanis) by local writer

3. Locals Notable Malik Byhiq Khan Bhittani Jandoola Tehsil FR Tank

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