A bite of sherk completes Eid in Gilgit-Baltistan

The bread is a vital part of the dinner table set for the festivities.

GILGIT: Ten-year-old Sabina looks gleefully at herself in the mirror as she tries on the bangles and jewellery that she will don for Eid. When it comes to clothing, Eid preparations in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) are no different from the rest of the country’s customs.

Shopping remains at its peak during the last week before the festival. Clothes in the markets of G-B are usually brought from urban centres of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Tales of bread

However, food, particularly bread, prepared on the occasion is specific and special to the region.

While the meat of slaughtered animals remains the main ingredient of most dishes, sherk — traditional bread prepared with flour, eggs, yogurt, milk, butter and dried apricot — is an Eid speciality.

“We make sherks a day earlier in order to serve guests as well as family members,” said Shaista, a housewife from Gilgit. Sherk can be stored and consumed for up to a week, especially for breakfast. “It requires a lot of hard work initially, but once it is ready, you can sit back tension-free at least for a week. Given that you have prepared it in sufficient quantity,” Shaista told The Express Tribune on Sunday.

Shaista has made 40 sherks this Eid and is certain the amount would suffice for her five-member family for at least a week. Sherk has different variations and names, and is prepared in many valleys in the region.“Meat is eaten throughout the Eid season but what is unique and loved is this delicacy,” said Shaista.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2014.