Ten myths that keep us colonised Until a couple of hundred years ago, most human population lived nomadic lives. This changed for most of us when our lands were stolen and/or our elders compromised by deceit, subjugation, and physical as…
All the past losses All the past hurts All the past murders All the past lies All gone Just like that. Welcome to Independence Day! Just like that We are told we are free. What if: our losses don’t stop; Our hurts deepen; More…
Liminal State of Shaman: A Subjective Account--Part 1 It was a bright sunny day in the spring season when I experienced something totally alien to me. There were strange voices, images and feelings. Initially, I thought these were figments…
The Diamond Jug Part 1 Imagine that there is a jug made of diamonds And full of life-giving fluids sitting on a table. Now, imagine that someone comes along And says: This jug and everything in it is mine. The owners of the jug reject this…
Mito/Phanis: An Uncanny Character in Mythical Cosmology Although the mythical cosmology of Gilgit-Baltistan is populated with beautiful, good spirits and amicable creatures, it also populated by creatures and spirits that are deemed evil,…
Hargin: A Mythical Creature of Gilgit In the imaginary creatures in popular folktales of Gilgit, Hargin is quite famous. Hargin is basically a giant snake, python, or anaconda like creature. In the mythical sense it resembles to the dragon…
Book: Delusional Sates: Feeling Rule and Development in Pakistan’s Northern Frontier Author: Nosheen Ali Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2019. ISBN 978-1-108 total pages: 304 pp. The very subtitle of book “Delusional States:…
On Kho Identity of Chitral whether they are more Dardic, more Pamiri or mixed?
The majestic mosque of Gayal in Darel Valley, Diamer Gayal village in Darel valley, Diamer district, is believed to have been established about two centuries ago when the descendants of Dudu moved out of Lelo Kot. The old village was…
Hunters of the Hindu Kush Both hunters and shepherds were highly respected in the tribal societies of Darel and Tangir in the district of Diamer in Gilgit-Baltistan. The communities were dependent for their sustenance on these men in the…
