Gilgit Baltistan-Culture Thread

[bananarepublic]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=413232479016701

These students of Bulbulik music school of Hunza valley are promoting peace through music.
@anant_s ,@Arsalan ,@WAJsal ,@unleashed ,@Levina ,@Taygibay ,

 

[salam.pakistan]

Here in Chitral in old times houses uses to be like that. I mean 10 to 15 years back. The basic concept is the same. But we used to have a hearth for cooking and heating right under the window in the roof. We used to sit in the middle and used to sleep in the sides(Bakh). We also had Kash to store grain and flour. Gradually the hearth was removed due to the smoke and the kitchen was shifted outside like this one. The Kash was also removed. These kind of houses are very few in number nowadays and most people are living in western styled houses.

 

[Manidabest]

once i heard a nice Chitrali song or may be it was Gilgit Baltistani it was on morning show on PTV it was like sufi style really mesmerizing !!! love Chitral Love Gilgit Baltistan Love Pakistan

 

[WAJsal]

The ancient ‘SHAAP” festival celebrated in Gilgit

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154153226272617

“Shaap” – a traditional ritual and a peculiar event of Shina Community, was celebrated in winter after slaughtering Nasalo (Traditional ritual of slaughtering animals to dry meat for the whole winter). The old Gilgit city was comprised of eleven villages that are called Kot, and the eleven Kots were divided into two sectors that was called Phari. Every Kot had its Trangpha, (Namberdar) and Zetú (Helper of Namberdar). People from all Kots celebrated Shaap in their Kot on different nights and finally they celebrated Thal Shaap (Grand Shaap) jointly.

After it they gathered in Kot Mohla Gilgit for Brangsa (Feast). All shaap groups from eleven Kot came there to attend the feast. There was a competition of Phali Gaaye (crambo) held between two sectors, the spectators mentally as well as physically involved in the competition and supported the crambo player of their respective sectors. Unfortunately, many a time the feast would end with a quarrel of the groups of opposite sectors. But those quarrels did not result in killings and murders, because the rivals did not have any concern to decode their symbolic prestige or identity”. Shaap was a great source and space of social interaction among the people of Gilgit city. Many other cultural events were also held which were the sources of social interaction. (Reference: Sectarianism as an Institution in Gilgit-Baltistan, Israruddin Israr, Pamir Times, Jul 29, 2013)
http://pamirtimes.net/2017/01/30/the-ancient-shaap-festival-celebrated-in-gilgit/

http://pamirtimes.net/2017/01/30/12...playing-buzkashi-in-chipurson-gojal-in-hunza/
12 Amazing photographs of playing ‘Buzkashi’ in Chipurson, Gojal in Hunza

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A very old sport of GB, i'll give a good reference when i have some time. @Levina ,@anant_s ,@unleashed ,@saiyan0321 ,@krash ,@shimshali ,@Joe Shearer

 

[unleashed]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=413232479016701

These students of Bulbulik music school of Hunza valley are promoting peace through music.
@anant_s ,@Arsalan ,@WAJsal ,@unleashed ,@Levina ,@Taygibay ,

GB is Love..

 

[krash]

The ancient ‘SHAAP” festival celebrated in Gilgit

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154153226272617

“Shaap” – a traditional ritual and a peculiar event of Shina Community, was celebrated in winter after slaughtering Nasalo (Traditional ritual of slaughtering animals to dry meat for the whole winter). The old Gilgit city was comprised of eleven villages that are called Kot, and the eleven Kots were divided into two sectors that was called Phari. Every Kot had its Trangpha, (Namberdar) and Zetú (Helper of Namberdar). People from all Kots celebrated Shaap in their Kot on different nights and finally they celebrated Thal Shaap (Grand Shaap) jointly.

After it they gathered in Kot Mohla Gilgit for Brangsa (Feast). All shaap groups from eleven Kot came there to attend the feast. There was a competition of Phali Gaaye (crambo) held between two sectors, the spectators mentally as well as physically involved in the competition and supported the crambo player of their respective sectors. Unfortunately, many a time the feast would end with a quarrel of the groups of opposite sectors. But those quarrels did not result in killings and murders, because the rivals did not have any concern to decode their symbolic prestige or identity”. Shaap was a great source and space of social interaction among the people of Gilgit city. Many other cultural events were also held which were the sources of social interaction. (Reference: Sectarianism as an Institution in Gilgit-Baltistan, Israruddin Israr, Pamir Times, Jul 29, 2013)
http://pamirtimes.net/2017/01/30/the-ancient-shaap-festival-celebrated-in-gilgit/

http://pamirtimes.net/2017/01/30/12...playing-buzkashi-in-chipurson-gojal-in-hunza/

Brilliant! Did not know about this festival.

"But those quarrels did not result in killings and murders"..........that escelated quickly.

12 Amazing photographs of playing ‘Buzkashi’ in Chipurson, Gojal in Hunza

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A very old sport of GB, i'll give a good reference when i have some time. @Levina ,@anant_s ,@unleashed ,@saiyan0321 ,@krash ,@shimshali ,@Joe Shearer

I've witnessed a match once. Looks insane from the outside, plenty of jaw stiffening moments. Have you played?

 

[WAJsal]

Have you played?

No man, lol. @unleashed ?

 

[unleashed]

No man, lol. @unleashed ?

A big NO.. But i would love to..

 

[WAJsal]

Knitted and crochet gifts from Gilgit-Baltistan

The history of knitting is believed to be thousands of years old. It is very difficult to exactly pinpoint the origin of knitting. The main reason is the fragility of the knitted items. The oldest knitted item is a pair of socks, which is believed to be knitted between 3rd and 5th centuries in Egypt. This beautiful pair of red socks is kept in Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Most historians believe that knitting was originated in middle east and from there it spread to other parts of the world.

The women of Gilgit Baltistan have a high level of knitting skills. They knit sweaters, socks, gloves and other items. Woollen garments are essential to face the cold weather of the region. In past this mountainous region had limited access to the outside world. People had to rely on their local hand made products for their day-to-day needs. Hand knitting by local women was the only way to fulfill their needs to face harsh winters. Women have always played very important role to make the warm cloths for all family members. Once the male members obtain wool by shearing the sheep, women card the wool and spin the thread. Winter dresses are knitted with this homemade woollen yarn. During winter temperatures are below zero the days are short and there are no activities related to agriculture. This is the best time to spin the thread from the fine local wool and prepare it for knitting. Traditionally family member gather around the stove and spend family time after dinner. Ladies prepare beautiful knitted items while spending quality time with family.

With easy availability of machine made sweaters , socks gloves and other items there is a huge fall in the number of hand knitted items and these garments have become really valuable. Despite the easy availability and huge increase of machine made garments the woman of Gilgit Baltistan have kept the art of hand knitting alive. A hand knit garment is of high value and sign of pride of the local cultural heritage. The skilled knitters are people of high value as they have kept these centuries old tradition alive without gaining any economic interest.

Crochet is another form of handicraft in which patterned fabric is made by looping yarn. A single needle with a hook on one end is used for drawing the thread or yarn through intertwined loops. The women of Gilgit Baltistan are highly skilled in the art of crochet.

Hand knitted Socks

Beautiful hand knitted socks is made from 100 % local woollen yarn. Two or more needles are used to loop the yarn and transform it into beautiful socks.

Socks knitted from local woolen yarn are soft, comfortable and warm for harsh winter. Different local geomateric designs are made on socks, Shahi jurab or royal socks are of unique design . they are usually made as a part of groom or bridal dress.

Knitted woolen gloves

Different designs of gloves are knitted for different purposes. The working gloves are made from tough dark color yarn. The gloves for the occasion of wedding are knitted with delicate colorful yarn. Bright colors are used to design various floral and other designs on these special gloves.

Sweaters

Traditionally the local woolen yarn is used to knit sweaters. In the modern time different varieties of machine made yarn are easily available in the market. But handmade sweater from original woolen yarn have higher value. Normally two needles are used to knit a sweater. Using different pattern of knitting and various colors of yarn various designs of sweeter are made. They are knit from top down or from bottom up. It is a sign of love, respect and pride to knit a sweater for a family member or loved ones. Knitted items are important part of bridal gifts.

Waistband ( Shiman, Ghaski or permeyoung)

Waistband is an essential part of the traditional dress. Traditionally waistbands were made by hand with strong local yarn. Colorful waistbands are made as part of wedding dresses. Sometimes colorful beads are place at the ends of the waistbands.

Crochet items

Crochet is an amazing art and skill. Various amazing items are made with these skills. Women of Gilgit Baltistan are naturally gifted with this skill. They make beautiful crochet bed sheets, pillow covers, sofa covers, jackets and headbands. Both natural and synthetic yarn is used to crochet various items.

In summary the women of Gilgit Baltistan are highly skilled. The have kept this cultural heritage alive for hundreds of years. With modernization and easy availability of machine garments the art of knitting and crochet is slowly disappearing. It is very important for the government and non-governmental organizations to come forward and transform it to micro industry and save the cultural heritage.

Zaib R Mir is a needle and thread artist and artisan from Gilgit Baltistan, She works to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of Gilgit Baltistan for more details please visit Facebook page zaib’s arts and crafts.
http://pamirtimes.net/2017/02/07/knitted-and-crochet-gifts-from-gilgit-baltistan/
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The sweaters are made better than shown in the image, @unleashed , @shimshali , who can relate to the socks and gloves.
@Levina .@Arsalan ,@krash ,@anant_s ,@Kambojaric

 

[anant_s]

Back in my childhood days (early 80s),when we didn't have much of ready-made woolen garments, mother used to knit sweaters, gloves even socks from woolen yarn. it was quite intriguing to see her making designs using different colored wool.
Another interesting thing was, when we grew up and clothes became a size too short, the same were again De-woven and the wool was steamed over water bath and it was as good as new to be again knitted back.
Unfortunately this is a lost art. My wife does a bit of crochet work using a round wooden tool and special needle. but with factory made items easily and cheaply available, customized items made by women in their leisure time are slowly getting lost.

women of Gilgit Baltistan are highly skilled

Respect for their creativity and resourcefulness.

 

[WAJsal]

Seasonal Kitδit Festival celebrated in Sost, Gojal

Gojal: People of Sost and surrounding villages celebrated the seasonal Wakhi Kitδhit Festival. The festival marks the departure of long winters, and the gradual arrival of spring. The land starts becoming softer as the mercury moves upwards from below freezing point.

A Tuksuri match in progress. Photo: Farman Ali

People from the valley gathered at a community center, feasted, devouring traditional cuisine, and also played Tuksuri, known as Gilli-Danda in Urdu.

Kitδit is a compound word in the Wakhi language: kit, most probably, is a distorted form of Kʉt (meaning Roof/Ceiling), while δit is the Wakhi word for smoke. On this day the wooden pillars and beams of the traditional Pamiri house are cleaned, removing the smoke produced by burning of large amounts of wood during the long winter. Cleaning of the ceiling, thus, symbolically represents arrival of a fresh season.

The wooden beams of the traditional Wakhi house are also decorated with floral patterns made with wheat flour.

Lower parts of the Gojal Valley had celebrated Kitzhit earlier this month
----------------------------------------------------
@unleashed ,@shimshali

Unfortunately this is a lost art. My wife does a bit of crochet work using a round wooden tool and special needle. but with factory made items easily and cheaply available, customized items made by women in their leisure time are slowly getting lost.

It's sad really to see people forgetting their culture, something that's coming down the family line.

 

[bananarepublic]

18 Photographs of the crumbling Gupis Fort
Feb 15, 2017 Pamir Times Feature 0

Pamir Times

Gupis Fort is located in the Ghizer District of Gilgit-Batlistan. The fort was built by the British colonizers in 1805, according to some sources.

The fort has residential quarters, stores, prison cells and offices, surrounded by a wall built for protection against invasion. The fort was used for some time by the Gilgit Scout and Northern Light Infantry.

Currently, the Gupis Fort remains deserted. Due to lack of care and attention, the historical structure is crumbling as shown in these photographs taken by Farman Karim.




Space for storage






Residential quarters




Graffiti on the wall


A dilapidated tower


Decay is visible all around




The fort’s gate from inside


A prisoner’s cell


Fresh and old papers, most probably records, dumped in a room


The structure is coming down stone by stone


Openings for gunners


Animals grazing inside the fort


The walls are gradually falling apart
http://pamirtimes.net/2017/02/15/18-photographs-of-the-crumbling-gupis-fort/

@WAJsal

 

[Levina]

A hand knit garment is of high value and sign of pride of the local cultural heritage.

Thanks for the tag.
Those are such pretty items.
A hand knit sweater is so much more warmer than the machine made ones, prolly because there's extra care that goes into making of those sweaters for your loved ones.

Ladies should be encouraged to knit and crochet and then sell these items. It can become a good source of income for them.
At an exhibition held in Goa(where my parents live) I was surprised to see a lot of hand-made crocheted items.
Those were being sold at a fairly high price than expected but still a lot of people bought them.

It's not just about knitting and crocheting but women can turn entrepreneurs and yet work from
Home. There are so many things that can be done like making home-made snacks,catering etc.
In India,many house wives now prepare tiffins for people working in the offices.

How does it work in your country @WAJsal ? Do women work in GB?

 

[unleashed]

A Tuksuri match in progress

Tukroos... Nostalgic.. I was considered one of the greatest player in my Mohallah..

 

[unleashed]

The sweaters are made better than shown in the image, @unleashed , @shimshali , who can relate to the socks and gloves.

i still use hand made sweaters.. Thanks for sharing amazing post @WAJsal