Who are the Chachi's?

Who are Chachi's? The purpose of this message group is to provide a cultural awareness of Chach Pathans. This message group is primarily aimed at chachi youths that live abroad, other than their original homeland, Pakistan. The message group is also welcome to any other people who interested in and want to find out more about chachi's. Chachi's are referred to those people who originate from the geographical area, Chach (Attock), in North-West Punjab, Pakistan. Therefore, the word 'chachi' does not mean any caste, creed or clan. Not all chachi's are Pathans, some of whom descend from Kashmiris and Africans, who accompanied the Arabs during the introduction of Islam, to present day Pakistan. Most chachi's speak Hindko pronounced 'hinko', which is a regional dialect of punjabi/urdu.

There are still some chach pathans who speak Pushto. Hindko is a modern language and was introduced to the region approximately 150 years ago, by merchants and traders from the Punjab. It is now the dominant language in Attock, and Pushto is hardly spoken. This has led to many Pushto speaking Pathans in nearby regions, not recognsing the Chach Pathans as Pathans. Indeed, who can argue with them, when the chachi's themselves discarded their own language and culture to facilitate trade with the Punjabi merchants. However, there are still some Chach Pathans, who are every bit if not more of a pathan than the Pushto speaking Pathans. They are conservative and firmly hold on to the ideals and notions of Pukthunwali or 'Pathanwalgi' as pronounced in Hindko. Many of these people exist in small villages in Ghourgushti, and even when they emigrate, they take their principles with them. They still maintain their strict code of honour in places like Birmingham, England, where there is a large community of Chach Pathans. There are different types of chach pathans, some of whom are modernistic, and may no longer be called pathans, but there are also those who are still very much conservatives. They, like the Pushto speaking Pathans, are proud of their clans.

Go To Page 2 1