MINGORA: Although the traces of the old tribal fabrics in Swat have nearly faded, yet few buildings of the era are still intact where social gatherings are held regularly.

One such survivor is the 250-year-old hujra at Khazana village in Shamozo area that reminds the era of the tribal setup before the formation of former Swat state.

Hujra, a social club in Pakhtun society, has been playing a pivotal role from time immemorial where social gatherings, meetings, wedding ceremonies, condolences, councils and jirgas are held.

Elders say decision about formation of Swat state was made here

However, the hujra at Khazan village has its own uniqueness and importance because it is the oldest building of the Pakhtun tribes in Swat that is still intact and functional.

“This hujra was the central part of the tribes in Shamozo area as it served different purpose before the formation of Swat state. Jirgas were held here and decision about formation of Swat sate was made here. Since then, it has become a multi-purpose building for the residents of near and far,” Malizey, an elder of Khazana village, told Dawn.

The local elders said that they used to sit with their forefathers in the hujra, which was more than an institution for them. “When we were little children, our forefathers used to discuss social issues besides national and international news here while internal and external disputes were also resolved here. We also follow into the footsteps of our forefathers,” said Rozi Khan, another elder.

He said that after formation of Swat state in 1917, the rulers installed a landline telephone in the hujra that connected them with the rest of the world.

The elders said that they received primary education in the hujra, which served as a school till 1964 but later on the rulers of former Swat established a separate school in 1965. “It was our community building, a school, a tehsil council and a centre of learning social norms,” Hussain Mohammad, an 80-year-old resident of the village, told Dawn.

The hujra, constructed with stone and wood masonry, has two big rooms and a long veranda supplemented with a big courtyard having mulberry trees. However, the building is in bad shape and on the verge of collapse.

“We don’t want to lose this building as it is the symbol of our history and heritage. It is very important for us. We want the experts of architecture and heritage to protect and preserve the building on technical grounds so that the coming generations can see it,” said Naveed Khan, a cultural activist of the area.

He appealed to the governmental and non-governmental organisations to help the villagers to preserve the building and save the heritage.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2019