Swati people (Pakistan)
Ethnic group mostly in Hazara District, Pakistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Swatis (Urdu: سواتی) are an ethnic group inhabiting the Hazara division in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Hindko, Urdu | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indo-Aryan peoples, Dardic Peoples |
History
They were displaced following the Pashtun Esapzai occupation of Swat in the 16th century and forced to settle in Kohistan.[1][2] In historic accounts, Pashtuns referred to Swatis as "Dehgan"; this was not an ethnic designation but simply referred to the fact that they were villagers.[3] They are also sometimes called Tajiks, a common ethnonym used by Pashtuns to describe their Dardic neighbours.[4][5] Khan Khel Swati is a sub-section in various sections of all three branches of the Swati.[6]
Origins
The Swati people are of Dardic origins, originally speaking Dardic languages such as Gibri and Yadri and were native inhabitants of Swat valley.[3][7] Hemphil (2009) rejects Ibbetson's (1916:95-6) assertion of Swatis as a "race of Hindu origin" from peninsular India, suggesting, instead, that Swatis show a higher affinity to their neighbours in the northwest and with people in the Indus valley, to the south.[8]