Loni (Pashtun tribe)

Luni (also spelled as Loni) is one of the tribes of Pashtuns, mainly living in Pakistan with its minority in Afghanistan.

Main body of Lunis is to be found in Duki District and a minority living at Sibi (Luni, Balochistan).

“The Lunis are descended from Miana (Pashtun tribe) and are, therefore, connected with the Jafars of the Musa Khel tahsil . They designate themselves Durranis, the reason for which may be found in the fact that Miani was a brother of Tarin, the ancestor of the Durranis. Living near the Baloch, and being constantly at feud with them, the Lunis appear to have adopted the arbitrary distribution of their component groups into large clans or divisions, which is common among the former. The tribe was, therefore, divided into the three main clans— Drigzai or Drugzai, Palao and Rakhanwal. The Patozai who are Kakars and the Laths who are probably descended from another brother of Luni, Latz by name are alien. Besides these it is alleged that the Ghorani and Shudiani sections are also aliens(waslis) while Mirzai-Drugzais claim a Saiad descent and are treated with respect by the Lunis. According to local accounts the Lunis are descended from Laun,Durrani. Originally they were a pastoral tribe come down from Khurasan to graze their flocks in Baghao ,Rarkan, Kingri, etc., returning to Khurasan for the summer. The eldest son of Laun was Shame, from whom are descended the Shamezais who are the Sardarkhel or chiefs family. After Shame, the chiefs of the tribe were successively Abubakar, Hatang and Haidar. In the time of Ghazi Khan, son of Haidar, a few of the Lunis remained behind in Rarkan, while in the time of his son and successor Muhammad Khan, the migration back to khurasan entirely ceased. Muhammad Khan founded the village of Kot Khan Muhammad in Kingri. Muhammad Khan had seven sons, of whom Dost Muhammad migrated to Dera Ghazi Khan, and Perag Khan commenced cultivation in Rarkan, RaraSham, etc. The Lunis came into collision with the MusaKhels at Hazargat on the Luni river, and in one of the fights 400 Lunis were killed when the remainder moved to Chamalang and Nath-ki-chap. Perag Khan had two sons— Jalal Khan and Paind Khan — and on the former’s death Paind Khan became the chief as Samandar Khan, son of Jalal Khan, was a weak man. Paind Khan collected a force of 800 men, and attacked some Marris who were living with the Khetrans. Babul Khan, Khetran, claimed the restoration of the property looted, but the Lunis declined to give it up. In the fighting which ensued the Lunis were at first successful, but the Khetrans and Marris at length collected in such force that the Lunis were obliged to retire towards Lakhi. Paind Khan was succeeded by Samandar Khan, and on the latter’s death in 1893 Sardar Nawab khan became the chief and was given the title of “Khan Bahadur” in 1900. The Lunis are excellent soldiers and fine men. On grand occasions they make a great show of men in armour and of horsemen with tasselled spears. They are not on good terms with the Marris.”

1895 Luni-Marri case ( loralai gazzete 1907) : There had been constant disputes and fighting between the Luni and Marri tribes in connection with the grazing on the Chamalang plain, and these culminated in April 1895 in a raid by the Lohárani Marris into the Luni country. when fourteen Lunis were killed. A counter raid was made by the Lunis , which resulted in the death of eight Marris. The case was heard by the Quetta Shahi Jirga, and compensation to the amount of Rs 18,420 was awarded against the Marris and Rs. 8,800 against the Lunis. Four Marris and six Lunis were sentenced to transportation for life, and others of both tribes to shorter terms of imprisonment. The Marri and Luni chiefs were required to furnish heavy securities for their future good behaviour, and the rate of blood money between the tribes was raised from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,000.”

Population

As of 1998 Loni had largest population in the Pashtun tribes.

Notable members

• Sardar Asmat loni Cheif of loni
• Sardar Hafeez loni
• Arman Loni
• Wranga Loni