Bambar Waziristan

Haroon Rasheed

Publishing Date: Tuesday, August 31 2004

A new Pashto audio casette has been launched in South Waziristan Agency which is themed upon the recent bombardment, people's problems, & the martyrs the war has produced. The collection of songs are sung by a local singer, Saleem Marwat. His songs have traditionally been about love but this particular album is very contrasting to prior ones.

"(Trns.) My wellwishers, sit & listen .. For today I will narrate to you life in Waziristan ., Four in the Morning and the firing has started"

Poetry like this reflects the typical life in present day Waziristan. The songs have been sung as "Tappas", which is a distinct form of Pashto songs. The title of the album is "Bambar Waziristan" and the poetry has been penned by Bismillah Khan and Ikramullah Khan Wazir.

Prolonged warfare & unrest has deep impact upon the culture and arts of a society. A small example is that of Afghanistan where more than 2 decades of war is evident in its carpets; where guns and tanks are evident instead of traditional flowers & calligraphy. Same is the scenario with Waziristan, where its music is themed upon the subject of war.

This album is not yet available in Peshawar but according to a local shop-keeper, people are asking for it. This kind of poetry also creates love for your homeland and in a way drives you to defend it as well.

"I will adorn Waziristan with flowers ... O my Talib friend, I will give my life for it."

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