Who are the Kochis

Haroon Rasheed

BBC Urdu

Publishing Date: Tuesday, April 20 2004

The border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan is always under the spotlight when the issue of Taleban and Al Qaeda flow across the border crops up. But there are certain people who have been crossing these borders for centuries without the need of any paper work. Nobody has ever complained about their free movement.

These people are nomads who are called "Kochi" in Pashto. The Kochis normally spend the winter in Pakistan and for the summer head back towards Afghanistan. Their time of return to Afghanistan is marked by the spring season. Going through the tribal areas, one does not see the Pakistani Military convoys alone. There are thousands of nomads as well who are also migrating along with their cattle. The jingling bells around the necks of these cattle create a pleasing feeling. Unlike the Army who are headed towards their target points, the Kochis are heading further West to Afghanistan, where they will be spending their summers. This lifestyle has been practiced since centuries.

Stacked upon their camels are their belongings which include Tents, Chickens, and Goats, they make their move on foot without even bothering about the ongoing military activities. The men and women do all kind of works together whether it be herding the cattle, or setting up temporary tents besides suitable water sources. Even the kids give a helping hand to their elders.

The modern world has not even breezed past these people. They paint a living picture of poverty at its extremes. Many Kochis are seen walking barefoot through the lands they cover. One Kochi boy by the name of Nahaj Khan was asked about his opinion regarding their way of life; which involves never ending travel. He replied that it was difficult for both them and their animals to survive without travelling. When asked why they did not go to warm places in Afghanistan instead of migrating to Pakistan, he gave the same answer that they cannot survive in those places. The economy of these nomads revolves around their animals. It is only be selling their animals that they are able to cater for their other expenses. They can't survive without their animals.

When Nahaj was asked whether he considered himself an Afghani or a Pakistani, he gave a big laugh and replied that he may be both ... or something in between. He did however clarify that they have nothing to do with any of the governments.

Due to last years draught in Afghanistan and Pakistan, many Kochis were forced to change their ways of life. Lack of rain meant their was lack of places where they could herd their cattle. When their animals started to die, they headed towards the cities in search for jobs. However, with the normalcy in weather this year, their way of life has once again been restored.

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