CULTURE
The Wakhi Pamiri people despite their diaspora spread in four countries on the Pamir
high plateau, namely Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and China, share close linguistic,
cultural and religious ties with each other referring to themselves as Xhik or Wakhi.
Wakhi people have a unique culture, living style, language and social organization.
They are settled in Gojal, Ishkoman and Brughil (Chitral). But majority of them
are settled in Gojal Tehsil of Hunza-Nagar District.
The valley harbours diverse and endangered mountain cultural traditions. Historically
these areas have been aloof from the rest of the world and their life has been revolving
around livestock and agriculture. Over the last four decades, with the abolition
of the princely states, and opening of Karakorum Highway, education has played an
important role in the development of these people and today the explosion in information
technology has exposed the Wakhi people to the outer world. Resultantly, a good
number of people from the mountain areas have now moved to down country in search
of economic opportunities and further education. This change has necessitated that
the cultural values, norms, traditions and perspectives are not only preserved but
also shared with the outside world.
FESTIVALS
In the face of rapid developments in information and communication and interaction
with the outer world, there are opportunities as well as threats for marginalized
cultures like the Wakhi.
On the one hand while it is important to be a part of the mainstream development
process it needs to be ensured it is not at the cost of the values and identity
of the Wakhi culture which must be saved from extinction. This would require that
instead of being neglected it becomes an object of interest for the wider world.
For this it would be necessary to end its marginalization. The Wakhi people need
‘hope’ to look forward to their survival in a fast changing world through cultural
activities and research programmes.
A variety of festivals present a unique feature of its cultural diversity and different
forms of expressions as celebration of various events in community life. These festivals
cover a number of important seasonal celebrations, cultural events and religious
festivities. These events bring a value addition to the natural environs, and scintillating
streams of unpolluted water, rich diversity of people, culture, folklore, arts,
crafts and heritage. These events are binding factors for the locals. Except the
religious and national celebrations others are different from other ethnic groups
of Hunza. So these can be called as typical Wakhi celebrations.
OSHI GARM
During the last week of February depending on weather condition and melting of snow,
the local people collectively desilt and repair the main irrigation channels. The
villagers early in the morning gather at the starting point of their respective
irrigation channels. The family head takes the spade and gather at starting point
of the channels. The khalipha (religious cleric) offers special prayers for prosperity,
productivity and supply of sufficient water. After this the people start to repair
and clean the channels. The work is also started by the hands of Shogun Putook.
After completion of the work special food is prepared and enjoyed.
KITDHIT
Kitdhit is celebrated in the month of February to mark the end of winter, and to
welcome the spring season. This ceremony is performed on different dates in every
valley. On this day the family head sprinkles flour to the pillars, walls and doors
of the house.
Every household prepares variety of traditional dishes, gather at one place and
pray for unity and betterment of all humans. After this people symbolically bring
manure to field. Kitdhit. There is an old custom of sprinkling flour over the wall
and pillars of the houses. Kitdhit was also a day for the youngsters to play Toksuri
(a traditional base ball type game). During olden time Polo was also played during
this ceremony.
TAGHM
Taghm is a two-day event, taking place in the ploughing season during March. This
is the ceremony to formally open the farming season. This ceremony depends on the
extremes of weather to different places. The celebration continues for two days.
For this ceremony people prepare a special dish called Semn (for recipe see the
cuisine section) by processing wheat grains for about one months before this day.
The Semn is cooked like pudding or halva as well as Semn breads are prepared.
This day the people belongs to a particular family locally called Shagun Puthuk
came in procession with a particular protocol holding sticks in hand. First of all
they perform the Tumung in an old house. During the Tuman they burn fire inside
the house and check that where the smoke goes. This is a old time believe that in
which direction the smoke spreads at that side of the village the production of
wheat will be more. In this house a person from that family is dressed special called
Druksh (Ox). From here the Shogun Puthuk with the symbolic Druksh proceed to a field
where people from the whole village gather and give great protocol to Shoghunputhuks.
In the field the symbolic Dhruksh make some actions and perform like a typical oxen
style. The Khalifa (a person who performs religious rituals) prays for better crops,
unity, and success. After prayer, an elder from Shogun Puthuk sprinkle seed to a
small area of the field and cultivate the portion of field through traditional old
time ploughing method (traditional ploughing equipments pulled by 2 oxen). This
is the formal opening of cultivation in the village. Parents bring their children
of 1-3 years at the field and touch their hands to the ploughing tools in order
to become a good farmer in future.
NAUROZ
Nauroze is celebrated on the 21st of March as new year throughout Central Asia,
Iran, Afghanistan and Wakhi dominated parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. There are dances
and festive gatherings to welcome spring. Prayers are offered for a good harvest
season.
In Gojal this event is celebrated on 21st March. The word Nauroze means new day.
Nauroze has been celebrated for at least 3000 years and is deeply rooted in the
rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian religion. Today, the festival is celebrated
in many countries that were territories of, or influenced by, the Persian Empire
in Iran, Afghanistan, parts of the middle-east.
WINGUS TUE
Wingus-tue (Marriage of the Sparrow) falls in March. Villagers gather to eat and
pray. Dried meat left over from the winter season is eaten on this occasion and
people pray for a productive planting season.
CHENEER
Cheneer is a local event which marks the beginning of the harvest season, extending
from July-August. It is celebrated in the month of July, usually on 10th or 12th
depending on maturity of the barley crop. During early in the morning the family
head accompanying all other family members proceed to the barley field. They carry
plate of Khamali bread, ghee, the migraine and Spandur (tiny herb the local people
regard the smoke with great spiritual significance. In many villages the close family
households or neighbours gather at same place for this ceremony. The family head
pray and then put butter and flour on the ear of some barley. The family head also
put spundar on fire so smoke comes out. They then cut some ears and take it to home.
At the doorstep the family members gather where the family head sprinkles flour
on the jambs of the door and greets the family members. The fresh grains are roasted
and put in yogurt with smashed bread. At the first spoon 3 grains, second 5 and
third 7 grains are mixed with the yogurt. The family members enjoy the meal and
great each other as Chineer Muborak. After this the villagers combine in common
place and eat the special prepared foods.
