CHITRAL, May 4, 2011: The unique culture of Chitral, developed over many millennia with more than a dozen ethnic groups speaking as many languages, is closely linked to that of Central Asia and China instead of South Asia, according to a study conducted by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It says that arts and crafts, traditional costumes, food and beverages, local games, music, dance, folksongs and legendary sites form the main components of the cultural heritage of Chitral. The study also includes the historic military sites and indigenous tribes (Kalash) in the ingredients of cultural heritage.
Dr Inayatullah Faizi, former project manager of Chitral Conservation Strategy, said promotion of tourism in the area depended on preservation of cultural heritage which was endangered at present.
He said some of the components of the heritage were quite unique in nature that included architecture, customs, folksongs and folklores while Kalash were known throughout the world as primitive people.
“Chitral’s artisans manufacture a wide range of elegant and delicately crafted jewellery, woodwork and embroidery, woven and knitted textiles,” the study says, adding that clay, wood, stone, bone, animal skin and copper are the material most commonly used.
The woollen fabric of Chitral, locally called shu, and walnut-wood furniture are popular in handicraft markets throughout the country.
The study adds that traditional clothes, including that of Kalash people, are made from wool and silk and decorated with beads and shells.
Traditional cap (khapol) and gown (chugha) are popular while the typical Chitrali shoes (koan) resemble the long riding boots.
The area’s vast culinary repertoire of foods and beverages is unique in terms of both flavour and presentation.
Regarding the local games and sports, the study says that polo and falconry are the most popular recreational pursuits in Chitral while people also hunt for sport.
The study places music and dance at the heart of Chitrali culture. Chitral’s rich and varied musical tradition is part of the fabric of everyday life while Chitrali sitar is famous throughout the world and the traditional dances, such as dani and sauz are part of the folk heritage of Central Asia.
The folk poets of Chitral sing war songs as well as love ballades, the study says, adding that epics are popular among the Kalash.
“With its origin lost in the mists of antiquity, the ancient tribe of Kalash is a unique cultural resource,” says the study, adding that Chilm Jusht, Uchhal, Chitirmas are some of the main festivals of the tribe that attract a large number of tourists to the three segregated valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur.
The study says that Chitral is home to several preserved forts, fortresses and towers from a more recent era and the ruins of forts dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries BC are also found here.
Traditional Chitrali buildings are embellished with wood carvings and have been designed keeping in view the climatic and local environmental conditions.--Dawn
Work on Shoghore power house begins
SHOGHORE, May 4, 2011: Construction work on the hydoelectric power project at Shoghore started on Wednesday. The project is a joint venture of USAID and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.
Heavy machineries such as shovels and compressors were moved to the Daro Junali construction site of the project, the historic place where Baigal, the folk hero of Chitral, would play polo against the Mehtar of the day.
The engineer supervising the work told chitraltoday.com that the project would be completed within 18 months provided the construction work continued uninterrupted. The project would cost 650 million rupees.
Upon completion, the power house will generate 500 kilowatts of electricity costing less than three rupees per unit for domestic consumption.
The hydel power project will illuminate almost one thousand houses and power all kinds of domestic appliances. Cheques distributed among gender violence victims
CHITRAL, May 4, 2011: Legal Awareness Program for Human Rights, a project of Easy & Equitable Access to Justice Program funded by TROCAIRE, distributed rehabilitation cheques among gender-based victim women in Chitral, says a press release.
The ceremony was held in LAPH office Chitral, where Dr. Salma Hassan and Mr. Ajaz Ahmad, Board of Directors LAPH, presented the cheques for rupees 30,000 each to Ms Fatima Bibi of Chowodok Chitral and Ms. Suria Bibi Resident of Denin Chitral so they can start their household level enterprises.
Chairman LAPH Mr. Niaz Ali Shah told the gathering that these GBVs have been identified by Human Right Monitoring Committee Chitral and Staff of LAPH after an appropriate verification.
The chairman also said that household level enterprises can boost the livelihood of the GBVs on sustainable manner if cope properly and LAPH will continues its support to the deserving people from time to time.
On this occasion, Ms. Kulsoon, Chairperson HRMC Chitral, Ms Amina Social Organizer, LAPH and Mr. Zaffar Finance Officer were also present.
Tunnel issue raised in Senate
ISLAMABAD, May 3, 2011: Minister for Communication Dr Arbab Mohammad Alamgir here on Tuesday informed the Senate that Rs5.25 billion had so far been spent on the Lowari Tunnel project and tunnelling work had been completed.
He stated this in response to a point of order raised by Prof Ibrahim Khan that the people of Chitral have started agitation due to closure of work on Lowari Tunnel.
He said the work had been stopped due to non-payment of funds to the construction firms.
The minister said approach roads of the tunnel had been completed, adding they were facing some problems due to funding. The minister, however, could not assure the house that funds would be released for the project to resume work at the site.
Afghans kill border police man, kidnap four
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL, May 3, 2011: Terrorists from Nooristan province of Afghanistan infiltrated into Chitral’s Ursoon village, some 75km from here, and attacked a checkpost at Pita Soon, killing a border police personnel and kidnapping four constables. The deceased was identified as Abdul Ghaffar.
Sources said the militants started indiscriminate firing with heavy weapons. As a result, Chitral Scouts retaliated and killed one of the Afghan terrorists. After this, the attackers fled back to Afghanistan taking with them Chitral Border Police personnel namely Ghaziuddin, Sher Ahmad, Khan Shuoib and Mohammad Hassan. Later, Ghaziuddin, however, succeeded to escape from their custody and came back to his post.
During the cross-firing, police ran away from their post to save their lives. However, a local resident Abdul Hameed attacked the terrorists and snatched a Kalashnikov from them. But he and his sister were injured.
The security forces also claimed that they killed one of the attackers but the body was taken away.
