Jirga facts for kids

A jirga (say "JEER-gah") is a special meeting of elders from a community or tribe. These meetings are held to make important decisions or to solve problems. They are mostly used by the Pashtun people, who live in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan. However, other groups living near the Pashtun also use jirgas to sort out disagreements.

How Jirgas Solve Problems

Jirgas are often used to help two people or groups who are having a disagreement. Imagine two neighbors arguing over something – a jirga can help them find a solution.

Starting the Meeting

Usually, the people involved in a problem first find a mediator. A mediator is someone trusted by everyone to be fair and help solve the issue. This person might be a religious leader, a respected local figure, or someone known for being good at settling arguments.

The mediator listens carefully to both sides of the story. After hearing everyone out, the mediator then gathers a jirga. This group is made up of respected elders from the community. The mediator makes sure to include people who support both sides of the argument, so everyone feels heard.

Making a Decision

Once the jirga has listened to all the details from both sides, they discuss the problem. Their goal is to reach a decision that everyone can agree on, or at least accept. When the jirga has made its decision, the mediator announces it to everyone. It is very important that the decision made by the jirga is accepted by all parties involved.

See also

In Spanish: Jirga para niños