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 Lúnis are descended from Miani and are, therefore, connected with the Jáfars of the Músá Khél tahsíl. They designate themselves Durranis, the reason for which may be found in the fact that Miana was a brother of Tarín, the ancestor of the Durranis. Living near the Baloch, and being constantly at feud with them, the Lúnis 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, Paláo and Rakhanwal. According to local accounts the Lúnis are descended from Laun, Durráni. Originally they were a pastoral tribe and used to come down from Khurásan to graze their flocks in Bagháo, Rarkan, Kingri, etc., returning to Khurasân for the summer. The eldest son of Laun was Shamé, from whom are descended the Shamézais (169) who are the sardár khél or chief's family. After Shamé, the chiefs of the tribe were successively Abbakar, Hatang and Haidar. In the time of Ghazi Khán, son of Haidar, a few of the Lúnis remained behind in Rarkan, while in the time of his son and successor Muhammad Khan, the migration back to Khurásan entirely ceased. Muhammad Khan founded the village of Kot Khán Muhammad in Kingri. Muhammad Khán had seven sons, of whom Dost Muhammad migrated to Déra Ghazi Khán, and Pérag Khán commenced cultivation in Rarkun, Rara Sham, etc. The Lúnis came into collision with the Músa Khéls at Hazargat on the Lúni river, and in one of the fights 400 Lúnis were killed when the reminder moved to Chamalang and Nath-ki-chap. Pérag Khan had two sons-Jalal Khan and Páind Khan—and on the former's death Paind Khan became the chief as Samundar 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 Khétrans. Bábul Khán, Khétrán, claimed the restoration of the property looted, but the Lúnis declined to give it up. In the fighting which ensued the Lúnis were at first successful, but the Khétráns and Marris at length collected in such force that the Lúnis were obliged to retire towards Lakhi. The Lunis are excellent soldiers and fine men. On grand occasions they make a great show of men in armour and of horsemen with tasseled spears. They are not on good terms with Marris.”

“ 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. He has abandoned Dewana Shahr (also known as Samundar Khan Shahr) and has now settled in Dhaki, His lands in Lakhi are revenue-free for life, and he and his brother Mir Khan enjoy an annual allowance of 1,050 maunds of grain which was converted into cash (Rs. 2,625) in April 1900. Another man of importance among the Lunis is Makho Khan, Shamezai.” 1907

“The majority of the Lunis are now engaged in agriculture, but some of them such as the Waliani, Marufzai, Mirzai, Lado and Katakhel also combine flock-owning with it.” 1907

LUNI Country (Duki & Musakhail Districts)

“Generally speaking, the Luni country may be said to extend from the Bori valley and Thal plain to the foot of the main eastern branch of the Suleman hills; it thus includes the sources and whole course of the Narechi river, the Chamalang valley, Nath-ki-Chap (Nath Ghar), Girda Kach, a great portion of the Bagao valley, the Rara sham and Rarkan Shams, and the Siren valley. The base of the Hinglun and Kala Pahar range limits them in the east, on the south the Rakhni plain and Butar range of hills closes them in. On the north ; the hills limiting the Lakhi plain also separate the Luni from the Hamzazai country. The Musa Khel, Hamzazai (Mekhtar) and Loralai Kakars, with the Tarins and Shadozais of Thal (Duki) lie on their north and west, the Bozdars lie on their east, whilst to their south are the Khetrans of Bagao and Rakni, and the Marris aud Zarkuns of Kohlu. The total area of their nominal territory may be put down as about 1,920 square miles.”

LUNI-MARRI Case 1895

”There had been constant disputes and fighting between Lúni and Marri tribes in connection with the grazing on Chamalang plains these culminated in April 1895, in a raid by the Lobaráni-Marris into the Lúni conntry, when 14 Lúnis were killed. A counter-raid was made by the Lúnis which resulted in the death of 8 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 Lúnis. Four Marris and six Lúnis were sentenced to transportation for life, and others of both tribes to shorter terms of imprisonment. The Marri and Lúni 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

• Arman Loni
• Wranga Loni
• Late Sardar Muhammad Tahir Khan Luni
• Sardar Masood Ali Khan Luni
• Sardar Khusdil Khan Luni
• Tumandar Sardar Asmatullah Khan Luni
• Sardar Hafeez Khan Luni
• Abdul Aziz Khan Luni ( head of sibi Lunis)
• Qadir Looni (and sons)