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Definition of traditional Wesh system (tenure) In Şiņa and Pashto, the word “Wesh” means splitting and redistributing. Literarily, it is a traditional economic system where under a particular formula the natural resources are assigned to the households and the tribes. The socio-economic system of Şiņ probably prevailed in a large territory during early days and was introduced as the traditional system to the Palas Valley. The system of re-allotment: The principle on which this system is based is quite simple, and occurs among other Indo-European speaking people (Pathans, Baluchistan), and ancient Celtic and German tribes. (Barth 1956, p. 31) Initially, there was no concept of individual property within the various groups in Kohistan. The resources jointly owned were assigned to the tribes and households for a particular period of time. After that particular period, land and resources would be allocated anew. In this way, the existing resources, the residential houses and the land would keep rotating among the people. Management of the resources, their protection and control would be a collective responsibility. Men and women, both, would be entitled to shares in the resources. Their Jirgas or Sagas i.e. mass councils, would be responsible to continue this system in their "Roms" and areas. Hence, it would not be possible for an influential group to occupy such an area or the resources. Motivational effects of the land distribution system (Wesh System) The Land Distribution System strengthens the lineage and local identity. Hence, it helps in keeping the local social politics moving and maintaining a fast tempo in the competition between the group organizational circles; A uniform distribution of resources is carried out among the groups and households by this system. People come into line with their group circles on the basis of their ownership and rights and an integrated consultation system develops making its performance more effective. It increases the group interdependence, which helps strengthen the local defence network; Democratic attitude is developed among the groups by taking part in the participatory system of land distribution. Hence, it helps to prevent any chances of dictatorship; Environmental areas are allocated for seasonal migration whereby the herd raising economy is strengthened; A better and integrated irrigation system comes into existence allowing more possibilities in less time by communal participation; Better and integrated rules are issued for economic sustainability. Types of land distribution systems Three accepted types of the land distribution exist in Kohistan. Among these "Tang" and "Hor" have been more useful. The "MushBago" approach is used under specific circumstances. Hor Wesh The members of a tribe or group are not counted in this system. But the resources are divided into two groups regardless of the number of their individuals. Tang Wesh This approach is opposite to the Hor Wesh. The members in a tribe or group are counted in this system and distribution is based on the number of people. MushBago Wesh "MushBago" means manly share. This approach has been used under a few circumstances. For instance, in case of limited collective income, commodities acquired in looting, and in case of limited land in a "Ser" (plain fields in the mountains), etc. Only adults or those men, who may have participated in the missions of collective interests in the past, are entitled to shares in this approach such as a Zetu (see page 21). Principles of quantity A quantitative discrimination is found between the shares of men and women in the land distribution system of the Şiņs. The reason for discrimination is not religious, but cultural. Historically, there have been regular amendments in what is called "Bago" and "Tago" as explained below. Bago In the Wesh system, "Bago" literally means the share to a man. Only men were entitled to shares prior to 1992. Historically, the defensive importance of men has been superseding that of women's therefore, men have been entitled to a larger share. This discrimination between men and women has been in practice among many nations and races. There is no prior specification to the amount of a "Bago". Its amount depends on the amount of available resource and the number of share holders. Tago In the land distribution system, a woman or a child's share is called "Tago". It is the smallest unit of distribution. Its amount is derived from the amount of "Bago" and also from the factor of how many "Tago" are there in a "Bago”. The amount of "Tago" has been changing in different periods. The concept of "Tago" has been eliminated altogether and now men, women and children all have become entitled to equal shares. In Palas, women's share is called "Chhik" in place of "Tago" and in these areas, still a proportion of one to two exists. Measurement tools in “Wesh” Measurement tools of various kinds or weighing stones have been used in distribution of natural resources among the groups, tribes and households which generally are simple and easy to use. The process of land measurement and distribution has been changing at different stages of natural resources distributions. For the purpose of distribution of agricultural land, the units of land have further been broken into "Hor", "Rat" and "Ruto". How big a piece of agricultural land is, or can be, in a "Hor" depends on the amount of the piece of land to be distributed and the branches and number of individual recipients. When a piece of land is distributed on the basis of "Hor", then in the second phase, the "Hor" is turned into "Rat” at par with the number of its share holders. There are twelve to seventeen "Bago" in one "Rat” depending on the nature of fertility of the land. No comparison has been identified between "Hor", "Rat” and "Rato" from modern measurement tools. Therefore, the exact size of a “Hor", "Rat” and "Rato" are not known. In addition to agricultural land, i.e. the distribution of forests and "Bando" (the land occupied by trees with flat leaves on the bank of river Indus or at the edges of streams and gorges in the lower areas of the valleys), etc. has generally been executed on the basis of "Hor". Proportions of sharing pattern
Measurement Tools in the Wesh Measurement tools of various kinds or weighing stones have been used in distribution of natural resources among the groups, tribes and households which generally look simple and easy to use. The process of land measurement and distribution has been changing at different stages of natural resources distributions. For the purpose of distribution of agricultural land, the units of land have further been broken into "hor", "rat" and "rat". How big a piece of agricultural land is, or can be, in a "hor" depends on the amount of the piece of land to be distributed and the branches and number of individual recipients. When a piece of land is distributed on the basis of "hor", then in the second phase, the "hor" is turned into "raT" as par with the number of its share holders. There are twelve to seventeen "ba:go" in one "raT" depending on the nature of fertility of the piece of land. No comparison has been identified between "hor", "raT" and "raTo" from modern measurement tools. Therefore, the exact size of a 'Hor", "raT" and "ra:To" is not known. In addition to agricultural land, i.e. the distribution of forests and "bando" (the land occupied by trees with flat leaves on the River Indus bank or at the edges of streams and gorges in the lower areas of the valleys), etc. has generally been executed on the basis of "hor". We will describe the distribution of various resources under Wesh system from the study perspective and by other examples so that one could perceive it from practical examples and approaches of it.
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Shina Research Forum Karakorum Himalayas
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