"HUNZA VALLEY"

 

HUNZA VALLEY

       Hunza is remarkably peaceful and stunning territory heaven on Earth which is located in gilgit baltistan, north of Pakistan. It is 112 km distant from Gilgit and distance between Islamabad to Hunza is 320km. Hunza valley is also known as Hunzo which is enclosed with fascinating vast glaciers and snow capped mountains. The illustrious high peaks comprise Rakaposhi which is (7788m) 25550ft, ladyfinger is 20000ft height and Ulter sar is 17388ft stature. 800 years old Baltit fort is another attraction in Hunza.

 The Hunza valley is bordering with china to the north-east, Pakistan to the west-south and Afghanistan to the north-west. Hunza is geographically at an elevation of 2438m (7999ft) and Density is 6.4/km2 (17/sq mi) the time zone of Hunza is UTC+5 (PST). Hunza is consist on three regions Upper Hunza (Gujal), Center Hunza (Hunzo) and Lower Hunza (Shinaki) and in those three regions speak different three languages “burushaski” language speaks in Center Hunza (Hunzo), “wakhi” language speaks in Upper Hunza(Gujal) and “shinah” language speaks in Lower hunza(Shinaki). Hunza was isolated princely state where the kings government was run before 1974, after treaty since 1974 by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto then accomplished the princely governance and then Hunza is part of Pakistan

.

People & Education:

The total population of hunza is 243324. Above 90%

people are ismili shiah muslims also known as aga khani who are the worshiper of aga khan iv and remaining people are shiah muslims. The people of Hunza valley are very healthy and have the longest lifespan. They remain strong even in old age. This is because of the pure water they drink and their indigenous diet. The people of hunza are affectionate hospitality. Almost above 94% people are literate, approximately every child in Hunza attends School up to at least the high School level, although many pursue higher studies at universities to go down cities of Pakistan and out of the country. Outside of Hunza Education in Pakistan is rather bleak In the early part of the 20th century, mirs(king) of Hunza state he emphasis to educate their commonality.

 Festivals:

The Hunza Valley is home to various festivals related to religion, culture and ordinary life events. These festivals fall into two main categories religious festivals and cultural festivals. 

The religious festivals include:

·            Eid-Ul-Azha

·            Eid-Ul-Fitr

·            Eid-Ul-MeladulNabi

·            Nowroz festival

·            Shab-e Barat,

·            Shab-e-Miraj,

·           EidGhadeer,

·           Salgira-e- Imam Zman  Mubarak (Birthday of Agha khan)

  The cultural festivals include.

·          Ginini

·          Bohfaow

·          Novroz

·          Thumoshaling

The traditional festival Ginani which is celebrated by the local community with many gatherings organized in entire hunza. This festival is celebrated to welcome the new preliminary harvesting season with joy and happiness. The celebrations are commemorates enthusiastically and made with dance, music and traditional dishes.  

Another famous festival is Novroz the Spring Blossom Festival which is the New Year considering in Hunza which gives the people an opportunity to sit together and enjoy life. The community do Exhibitions, sports programs and cultural shows attract the audience in this festival to celebrate the cultural heritage of the region.

Thumoshaling: is the exciting festival in the history of Hunza celebrating people together in which collect woods by local commonality and make bonfire and celebrate very enthusiastically.

Dresses:

        The people of Hunza wears different cloths

 in different seasons like in summer from April to 

August is quite pleasant, people requires to wear

 light clothes. While, during in winters from October to March wear thick woolen clothes.

      

  The women particularly wear colorful cloths,

 shalwarqamiz and cover their heads with traditional embroidered caps. Although For men, the common dress is ShalwarQamiz and caps made out of hand woven woolen material known as (Farxin). In winters they wear traditional gowns called (Shukah) as overcoats.

Territory’s of Hunza:

                        Hunza is consisting on three regions Upper Hunza (Gugal), Center Hunza (Hunzo) and Lower Hunza (Shinaki) and in these regions have various territories and towns which are following.

1.Upper Hunza (Gogal):

                        The territories of upper hunza are Chaman Gul, Gulmit, Ghulkin, Hussani , Pasu, Khyber,Jamalabad , Gircha,  Sost, Nazimabad, khuda Abad, Hussain Abbad, Misghar,  Chupursan, and  Khunjarab (Khunjarab Pass).

2.Center Hunza (Hunzo):

                   The territories of Center Hunza are Hasanabad, Murtaza Abad, Ali Abad, Noorkhand (Dourkhand), Hyderabad, Gerelt, Karimabad, Ganish , Momin Abad (barreshal) Sultanabad, Altit, Faizabad Ahmed Abad, Salmanabad, sarat, shishkat and Attahabad

3.Lower Hunza(Shinaki):

                 The territories of lower Hunza are Khizar Abad, Hussain Abad, Maiun, Khana Abad and Nasirabad.

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