Mohana (tribe)
Encyclopedia
The Mohana or sometimes pronounced Mohano are a Sindhi
tribe, that is historically connected with fishing. Many Mohana prefer self-designation Mir-bahar, which means lord of the sea. They are found through out Sindh
, but are concentrated along the shore of Lake Manchar. In Baluchistan, the Mohana are often referred to as Meds, and are found mainly in Makran
. According to some traditions, the Mohana are descendents of the Scythian Meds, who lived on the banks of the Indus a thousand years ago. They are one of the Sindhi tribes mentioned in the Chachnama.
The Mohana are not only fishermen, but sailors and boatmen as well. Many are employed on fishing trawlers in Karachi
. They have many sub-divisions, the main ones being the Karachia and Laria. Each sub-division inter marries, although there is a preference in marrying close kin. They also have a close relationship with the Mallaah
community of coastal Sindh
, and the two groups often intermarry.
, especially in the districts of Muzaffargarh
, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur
, along the banks of the Indus river
. Unlike the Sindh Mohana, a number of Punjab Mohana are settled agriculturists. They have nine clans which are as follows:
All these clans intermarry and consider themselves of equal status. Most Ichchhe are now farmers, with their villages found along the Indus. The Balhara or Bilhara are now entirely landowners and cultivators, owning several villages on the Chenab and Indus.
The Mohana are strictly endogamous
, very rarely marrying out of their tribe. However, there customs are similar to tribes of a similar status found along the banks of the Indus such as the Jhabel
and Mallaah
. They speak Seraiki among themselves and Urdu
with outsiders.
Sindhi people
Sindhis are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh, a province Formerly of British India, now in Pakistan. Today Sindhis that live in Pakistan belong to various religious denominations including Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity...
tribe, that is historically connected with fishing. Many Mohana prefer self-designation Mir-bahar, which means lord of the sea. They are found through out Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, but are concentrated along the shore of Lake Manchar. In Baluchistan, the Mohana are often referred to as Meds, and are found mainly in Makran
Makran
The present day Makran is a semi-desert coastal strip in the south of Sindh, Balochistan, in Iran and Pakistan, along the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The present day Makran derived its name from Maka, a satrap of Achaemenid Empire....
. According to some traditions, the Mohana are descendents of the Scythian Meds, who lived on the banks of the Indus a thousand years ago. They are one of the Sindhi tribes mentioned in the Chachnama.
The Mohana are not only fishermen, but sailors and boatmen as well. Many are employed on fishing trawlers in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
. They have many sub-divisions, the main ones being the Karachia and Laria. Each sub-division inter marries, although there is a preference in marrying close kin. They also have a close relationship with the Mallaah
Mallaah
The Mallah are the traditional boatmen caste and ethnic group of North India, East India and Pakistan. A small number of Mallah are also found in Nepal....
community of coastal Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, and the two groups often intermarry.
The Mohana of Punjab
The Mohana are also found in PunjabPunjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
, especially in the districts of Muzaffargarh
Muzaffargarh District
Muzaffargarh is a district in the south of the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is part of Saraiki Waseb. It is spread over an area of 8,249 km². Muzaffargarh District lies in the strip between the rivers Chenab and Indus, which pass along the Eastern and Western boundaries respectively of...
, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur
Rajanpur District
Rajanpur District is a district of Punjab province in Pakistan. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan it had a population of 1,103,618 of which 14.27% were urban. Its administrative centre is the town of Rajanpur.-History & geography:...
, along the banks of the Indus river
Indus River
The Indus River is a major river which flows through Pakistan. It also has courses through China and India.Originating in the Tibetan plateau of western China in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar in Tibet Autonomous Region, the river runs a course through the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir and...
. Unlike the Sindh Mohana, a number of Punjab Mohana are settled agriculturists. They have nine clans which are as follows:
- Ichchhe
- Manchari
- Balhara
- Nihaya
- Khaura
- Hir
- Hussre
- Kat-Bal
All these clans intermarry and consider themselves of equal status. Most Ichchhe are now farmers, with their villages found along the Indus. The Balhara or Bilhara are now entirely landowners and cultivators, owning several villages on the Chenab and Indus.
The Mohana are strictly endogamous
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
, very rarely marrying out of their tribe. However, there customs are similar to tribes of a similar status found along the banks of the Indus such as the Jhabel
Jhabel
The Jhabel are a Seraiki tribe, found in the province of Punjab. .-History and origin:The Jhabel are essentially a tribe of fishermen and boatmen, found in the southern districts of Punjab, mainly along the banks of the Indus and Sutlej rivers. In additions, they are also involved in collecting...
and Mallaah
Mallaah
The Mallah are the traditional boatmen caste and ethnic group of North India, East India and Pakistan. A small number of Mallah are also found in Nepal....
. They speak Seraiki among themselves and Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
with outsiders.