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PESHAWAR, Nov 19 (APP):In a province once shaken by years of terrorism, the rhythmic clash of swords and the rising beat of drums continue to echo with pride, spreading love and warmth.
In the rugged plains and hills of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the centuries-old Khattak dance, which is also Pakistan’s national folk dance, remains defiantly alive despite incidents of terrorism.
Known worldwide as the land of artists and musicians, KP has preserved this iconic culture tradition despite the long shadow cast by extremism on cultural activities and Khattak dance is performed in joyous occasions enthralling spectators.
Introduced by the Khattak tribe in the 14th century, the dance still holds pride of place at weddings, births, sporting events, and ceremonies welcoming dignitaries.
Even after six hundred years, its fiery essence has survived unchanged.
“Khattak dance is as old as the history of the Khattak tribe itself,” said Bakhtzada Khan, Assistant Director at the KP Archaeology and Museums Department while talking to APP.
He said Khattak dance had passed through generations, giving rise to many other dances such as Braghoni, Shahdola, Balballah, and Chitrali. These forms have become deeply woven into our social fabric.
Traditionally, he said the Khattak tribe spread across Karak, Nowshera, and parts of southern KP performed the dance as a sword-wielding warm-up before entering battle.
The agile movements and swift spins helped warriors prepare for combat and celebrate victory. The Mughals and later the British admired the tribe’s bravery, recruiting Khattaks into their armies.
Even the legendary Pashtun poet-warrior Khushal Khan Khattak is celebrated for his connection to both the tribe’s martial culture and artistic expression.
The dance today is performed in brightly colored traditional shalwar, frock-style kameez, and red embroidered waistcoats, with broad scarves tied around the waist.
Dancers swirl while brandishing swords, moving in perfect synchrony to the beat of drums and the piercing cry of the surnai.
For performers like Umar Bacha of Nowshera, mastery of the dance demands peak physical fitness.
“One needs 100 percent fitness to perform the Khattak dance,” he said. Bacha, who inherited the skill from his late father, performs with one, two, and even three swords at a time.
The routine consists of five main steps involving rapid spins and intricate footwork.
From the opening Bhangarah, where each dancer swirls with swords, to Derabi, Laila, and Braghoni—the fastest and most daring form involving three swords as each step reflects centuries of discipline.
“The performer swings two swords in the air while holding the third in his mouth,” Bacha explained. “It requires supreme balance and courage of a performer.”
The final step, Bulbullah, is performed without weapons. Dancers sing high-pitched romantic verses before the tempo rises and the dance reaches its emotional climax.
Despite its deep cultural value, the dance like much of KP’s artistic heritage has also suffered during the years of terrorism.
Hamza Khan, PML-N Nowshera President lamented the neglect of cultural activities during last decade in KP.
“Art and culture were badly ignored in KP during the last decade,” he said, accusing PTI lackluster approach towards culture. “Seven of Peshawar’s oldest cinemas were shut down. No solid steps were taken for the revival of music, film or dance in KP.”
However, KP has produced icons of international stature, including Bollywood legends Yousaf Khan (Dilip Kumar) and Raj Kapoor, and Pakistani greats Qavi Khan and Firdous Jamal.
To revive this heritage, the then federal government of PMLN has introduced significant incentives tax exemptions, rebates for filmmakers, insurance policies for artists, and even plans for a National Film Studio worth Rs 1 billion.
Renowned TV and Film actor and Pride of Performance Javed Babar believes these initiatives will rejuvenate KP’s cultural landscape. “The establishment of film funds, studios, and production facilities will greatly benefit artists,” he said.
The grace of the Khattak dance has long captured international attention.
During her historic 1961 visit to Khyber tribal district, Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly enthralled by the dancers’ agility and the hypnotic rhythm of steel and drum.
Today, cultural experts believe that preserving such traditions is more than celebration rather it is a positive endeavor to combat extremism and terrorism.
“Promoting cultural programs and traditional dances helps counter intolerance in society,” said Bakhtzada Khan. “It changes mindsets in positive direction and provides healthy entertainment to people.”
We need to revive our hujra culture as it was an effective tool to promote art and cultural dances besides countering violence and hatred..
Despite years of violence and social upheaval, the Khattak dance has endured—its swords still flashing, feet still striking the earth with pride. In every spin and every beat, KP’s centuries-old resilience lives on despite incidents of terrorism.