Mandanr Welfare Society

MANDANR TRIBE
Brief History:
The Mandanr (also spelt Mandanh, Mandar and Mandan) is a Pashtun tribe of the Indian subcontinent presently and once was part of central Asia while residing in Afghan territory. They are also linked to the Yusufzai tribe. Both tribes are the big tribes of Afghanistan, the first native land of Yusufzai and Mandanr was Ghwara Marghey, it is near to Arghestan; between Sur Ghar and Ghundan.

Sarbanr, the eldest son, had two sons named Sharkhbun ( or in some records Sharkbun or Shakarbun or Sharjyun) and Kharshbun (or in some records Krishyun). Put briefly, Sharkhbun is the ancestor of the Western Afghans, namely the Abdalis – now known as Durranis and kindered tribes – and Kharshbun of the Eastern Afghan tribes of the Peshawar Valley and the adjacent mountains to the north, namely the Yusufzais (including the Mandanr branch), the Mohmands, the Khalils, the Daudzais, and Muhammadzais.

The Yusufzais are said to be descended from one Mand, who had two sons, Umar and Yusuf. Umar died, leaving one son, Mandanr. From Mandanr and Yusuf come the two primary divisions of the Yusufzais, which are split into numerous subdivisions, including the Isazai, Malizai, Akazai, Ranizai and Utmanzai. There also have been some theories that they are descended from the lost tribes of Bani Israel.

Sub-Tribes: Akazai – Chagharzai – Hassanzai – Isazai – Kamalzai – Malizai – Ranizai – Utmanzai

Mandanr is the largest group in district Swabi, Buner, and Mardan. Buner District is situated to the north, Swabi District to the south, and Mardan District is to the west. The population is distributed as follows:
• Swabi: 1.2 million
• Mardan: 1.5 million
• Chamla Amazy & Khudukhel (Buner) 0. 3 million
• Karachi: 0.3 million
• Other cities (international): 0.3 million
• Total: 3.5 million

Traditional Sports
In the past, archery was used in warfare, but with the advent of modern warfare, archery has been relegated to the game of ‘Mukha’. The slingshot, called ‘Leenda’ in the local dialect, is also used in Mukha, and is made from the horns of the ‘Markhor’ – a wild goat found in the forests and forested mountains. The horn of a single ‘Markhor’ is enough to make just one slingshot.