The overwhelming majority of Abbottabad’s population (99%) is Muslim and religion exercises a significant influence on daily life. The primary language spoken here is Hindko (used by 94% of the rural population and 75% of urban residents) with Punjabi, Pashto and Urdu spoken and understood in urban areas. Abbottabad’s social structure is heavily influenced by tribal affiliations.
Most of the district’s residents belong to the Abbassi, Dhund, Gujjar, Jadoon, Karlal, Syed or Tanoli tribes. The Abbassis are for the most part urbane and educated. The traditional leadership of the area, as well as political leaders in modern times, largely belonged to this tribe. The Abbassis’ rural residences serve as a base for their political operations, while they maintain a second home in urban areas to manage their business interests. They depend for their income on significant landholdings as well as trade and business activities. With an important presence in the power structure, both at the national and local level, they have a practical orientation characterized by independent thinking, but are not particularly amenable to external influences. The Awans, originally settlers from the Punjab province, are dispersed across the district. They constitute the poorer segments of Abbottabad’s inhabitants. The Gujjars, with their distinct culture and values, are a significant presence in the district. They play a key role in the economic life of the district, especially in the pockets they occupy around Abbottabad city. The urbanized Jadoons are a socially and politically influential tribe with an important role in trading activities. The influence of tribal norms is prevalent among the Jadoons, who maintain a hujra (sitting place where residents of a locality may meet to discuss important matters) and continue to settle disputes through the jirga (traditional tribal council). Jadoons usually prefer to reside in their own mohallahs (residential localities). The Karlals, reside in the hilly parts of Haripur and most of the Galliyat area. They account for around 30% of the district’s population and are thought to be the original inhabitants of the area. Although less exposed to modern life, the Karlals are moderate and open to new ideas. Their overwhelming dependence on natural resources makes them key players in conservation. The Swatis migrated to the area from the upper Swat valley. This Pashto-speaking tribe has a strong financial presence in the district. The tribal and cultural practices of the Tanolis closely resemble those of the Pathans. Tanoli homes are distinct and the joint family system is prevalent. Essentially dependent on farming and livestock, they are similar to the Swatis who settled in the Hazara area centuries ago. Interestingly, the natural division of the district into three agro-ecological zones coincides with tribal influences in the area:
i. The Tanawal–Sherwan belt is dominated by the Tanolis;
ii. The Galliyat areas are dominated by the Karlals and Abbassis;
iii. The plains are occupied by the Awans,
Jadoons and Syeds. Political control is exercised by the plains, largely through the Jadoons and Abbassis. It is important that these differences in cultural norms and traditions, as well as social roles, are kept in mind when planning interventions, since the cooperation and commitment of local communities is a prerequisite for meaningful and sustainable development to occur. The people’s openness to new ideas will depend in large part on their tribal customs and affiliations.
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