Call to preserve endangered languages, culture of Chitral

Event held to promote efforts for conservation of Khowar and other dialects

ISLAMABAD: Anthropologists, community leaders and social activists on Saturday called for preserving the indigenous languages of Chitral, besides the local folk lore, music which are the assets of intangible heritage of the valleys of this area.

Cultural music and dance from the most rugged mountainous region enthralled the dwellers of twin cities on the weekend.

Artistes from the mountain communities of Chitral presented tunes and dances which face extinction with the advancement of contemporary culture in the valleys that had remained cut off from the world a few decades ago.

The notes of endangered Khowar language of the Chitral valley took the imagination of the listeners to the slopes of Hindukush where golden eagle float through the air as Himalayan black bear and snow leopards roam while markhor and ibex pounce about in the pristine environment.

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Pakistan National Council of the Arts and Chitral Youth Forum (CYF) in collaboration with Khowar Folk Band had organised the cultural show at the PNCA on Saturday where renowned artistes, vocalists, poets and instrumentalist from different parts of Chitral performed various types of endangered music tunes of Khowar language.

The colourful event which was held as part of efforts to preserve and promote the musical heritage of the Khowar language was divided into two parts. In the first session, the poetry symposium was graced by renowned and senior literary figures and poets from different parts of districts.

In the next part of the event, local singers presented folk tunes like Ghoru, Hup Gye, Lowah, Dok Yakhdees, Hasham Begum, Nano Baigal, Ghalwar, Nandoshi, Saeedogh, Qoqnoos, Shodong and many more which are on the verge of becoming extinct. The songs were accompanied by reed instruments and the pure Chitrali Sitar, Duff and Pasture flute. Thereafter local dancers entertained the audience with their traditional dances of Nohtik and Phastek, and Ishtok which was only practised in remote areas of upper Chitral.

Wajid Bukhari was the chief guest of the event. Other notables present on the occasion were MNA Amer Kiyani PTI MNA from the Kalash community Wazir Zada and Aga Khan Foundation Development Expert Shahzad Ali Haider.

While speaking on the occasion, CYF President Asif Ali Taj said that folklores are important sources of information for studying the history and culture of past civilisations and urged the need for preserving folk songs and the ethos of folk art of Khowar language.

He further noted that Chitral has been a centre of rich cultural diversity. More than 12 different languages are spoken in the district. One of the oldest part of this diverse culture is the musical heritage of this area which is centuries old.

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“Different kinds of folk music and folk tunes are feared to be extinct. Chitral Youth Forum and Khowar Folk Band is striving to preserve sound documents of public performances for future generations, and to preserve as far as possible the integrity of the performances”, said Taj.

Bukhari during his speech stressed upon the need to preserve the endangered folk tunes of Khowar language.

“When a language goes extinct, a nation’s culture, history and knowledge goes with it. Therefore, the government of Pakistan should take tangible steps and collaborate with the civil society organizations to work for the preservation and promotion of the local languages like Khowar,” said Bukhari. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2020.