Bibi Haro Ana Tihanri woman

Pakhtoon Media

Loralai District Gazetteer

Haro Ana – The Revered Tihanri Woman of Wani

Haro Ana, a woman of the Tihanri community, was widely admired for her piety and unwavering virtue. She remained unmarried throughout her life and was venerated for possessing miraculous abilities. During her lifetime, the Wanechi Afghans honored her by gifting her the Karbi Kach lands territory that has reportedly remained with the Tihanri people to this day.

Before her passing, Haro Ana instructed her family to bury her at a specific site—along a route commonly used by the enemies of the Wanechi tribe. She foretold that her burial there would serve as a spiritual shield, warning that any hostile forces attempting to pass through would face severe consequences. Respecting her final wishes, her body was laid to rest at the western edge of Wani, an area now referred to as Haro Ana Perai.

This site held strategic significance. It was located on the path frequently used by the Dumar clan—a group within the Kakar tribe—with whom the Wanechis had long-standing hostilities. Since her burial there, local accounts suggest that the Wanechis have consistently maintained an advantage over the Dumars in conflicts.

A particularly notable event took place around 1860, when the Dumars launched a raid on Wani, seizing a large number of cattle. In response, approximately 200 Wanechis pursued the raiders, who numbered around 1,500. As they passed by Haro Ana’s shrine, the Wanechis paused to offer prayers, seeking her spiritual support. Soon after, they confronted the Dumars, managed to recover all the stolen livestock, and inflicted significant losses on their adversaries.

The Tihanris – A Spiritual Lineage Among the Wanechis

The Tihanri community traces its roots to Toyi, a Khetran Shaikh, who married a woman from the Wanechi tribe and settled in their region. According to Jamait Rai’s report from 1902, both the Tihanris and Hadianis within the Wanechi population were regarded as spiritually gifted, believed to possess miraculous powers.

These groups were traditionally granted “Thuk”—a form of religious offering—by the Wanechis. In Baluchistan, "Thuk" refers to contributions made to individuals believed to possess spiritual sanctity, similar to how Sayyids are revered. Remarkably, the Tihanris were also recipients of such offerings from other tribes, including the Marris in Quat Mandai and Thal.

The religious tributes (Khura) given to the Tihanris typically included:

At marriage ceremonies or the birth of a male child – One rupee, or alternatively, a sheep or goat, a custom referred to as Patka.

During each harvest – A pula (bundle) of crops such as wheat, rice, or jowari.

From each household per harvest season – A seer (unit of weight) of grain.

Jamait Rai further noted that the Tihanris and Hadianis were credited with the spiritual ability to protect crops from disease, summon rain, and repel locust infestations—attributes that reinforced their respected position in local society.