Chitral: The Jewel of Hindukush

Chitral is my hometown so, it is very natural for me to have a special spot in my heart reserved for Chitral. But let me make it very clear I am not writing this article because I am from Chitral. If I were from a different place and had visited Chitral only once I would have written this article without any hesitation. So, let’s move forward and let me tell you why Chitral is the best place in Pakistan or I should say in the world.

Nestled amidst the grandeur of the Hindukush range, Chitral is a symphony of nature, history, and culture. As you step into this enchanting region, you’ll find yourself captivated by the majestic mountains, charming valleys, and a cultural tapestry that unfolds like a cherished storybook. Chitral is not just a destination; it’s an immersive experience that beckons the curious traveller to explore its secrets.

Now I feel the need to make it clear to some of my readers whether Chitral is part of Gilgit Baltistan or not. People often mix Chitral with GB. yes! Chitral and GB have a lot in common. We look alike, our culture is more or less the same but historically Chitral has never been a part of GB. No ruler from GB has ever ruled Chitral on the contrary rulers from Chitral have ruled some parts of Gilgit.

So, yes we are part of KPK, geographically but when it comes to our culture and day-to-day lives we share almost no affiliation with KPK as well. We speak a different language, our attire is different, and most importantly we think differently if that matters. Chitral owing to its location has remained isolated from the rest of the country for a major part of its history and thus is unique. If you are still confused let’s discuss history a little bit more.

Chitral’s Historical Significance

Chitral’s history is a riveting narrative woven through centuries. The echoes of the ancient Silk Road resonate in its valleys, where merchants once treaded, exchanging goods and cultures. The region has been a crossroads for various civilizations, with influences from Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent leaving indelible marks.

Now you might be wondering why I said Chitral has remained isolated and now I am saying that it is part of the greater Silk Road. Well, both of the statements are true. Yes, Chitral was part of the Silk Road but it was never a hub of trade. There were travellers from the surrounding countries like Afghanistan and Tajikistan but they were not in huge numbers. Nonetheless, these travellers have played a huge role in Shaping the history of Chitral. Some of them brought new religions to the region while others new cultural traits and what we see in Chitral is a complex mixture of all of those.

Now, you are here for the historical significance of Chitral so let’s discuss that. Chitral itself has very little to offer as far as invasion of the area is concerned but its location was and is very important if any ruler was to rule Afghanistan and other neighbors peacefully. The mountainous terrain of Chitral provided a natural advantage for establishing strategic military outposts. Throughout history, rulers and empires sought to control Chitral to secure their interests along the trade routes.

Moreover, the mountain passes connecting Chitral to regions like Wakhan Corridor and **Badakhshan** served as entry points to the heart of Central Asia. This strategic location made Chitral a key player in the geopolitical dynamics of the region. I hope now you know how important Chitral was.

I think that is enough of the history let’s just talk about my favourite topic about Chitral: Its beauty.

Peaks and Valleys

Chitral’s geographical wonders unfold like a canvas painted by nature’s hand. Imagine standing at the base of Tirich Mir, the highest peak in the Hindukush range, its snow-capped summit reaching for the heavens. The valleys that cradle Chitral are not just topographical features; they are gateways to adventures waiting to be embraced.

If that is not good enough, trek through the **Shandur Pass**, where the air is crisp, and panoramic views stretch as far as the eye can see. Traverse the winding paths that lead to hidden waterfalls, pristine lakes, and meadows adorned with vibrant wildflowers. Chitral’s geographical marvels are an invitation to explore, offering a sensory experience that goes beyond sight — it’s the exhilaration of crisp mountain air, the murmur of flowing streams, and the crunch of gravel beneath your boots.

I would be very honest with you. I was born in Chitral and had never ventured out until I was 17. After watching movies and dramas I always wanted to just leave Chitral behind and wanted to explore the bustling cities that I thought were more exciting than living in a remote village. But when I finally moved to Islamabad for studies I realized that these so-called cities are full of polluted air and more importantly emotionless and self-obsessed people. That is when I realized the worth of Chitral and its people who were full of love.

This is becoming a bit emotional since I am sitting in my office in Islamabad and writing this article while missing home so, let’s move on and talk about something else.

Chitral’s Diverse Cultural Tapestry

Chitral’s cultural tapestry is a vibrant blend of traditions, rituals, and festivals that paint the region with a kaleidoscope of hues. Now the majority of the country knows Chitral because of the **Kalash valley** and its unique people which is ok because the Kalasha people indeed are very unique and every curious mind would love to explore their culture and history. But Chitral has a lot more than Kalash to offer. The cultural landscape of the rest of Chitral is as exciting as that of the Kalash.

Let me give you a simple example of the beautiful culture of Chitral. You would not find a single beggar in Chitral even though the region is very underdeveloped and poor. You will not see a stranger sleeping on the road. Let’s make it a bit clearer. How many people in these big cities or even in other parts of Pakistan would offer a random stranger food and shelter even if the person can not afford it? You will see that everywhere in Chitral and I mean what can be more beautiful than that?

If you think that such things are common in many parts of the country let me give you one more example. Chitral has a population of no more than 600000 people but 14 languages are spoken by those handful of people. That is a testimony to the fact that how diverse the culture of Chitral is. I think that is enough for that part as this topic is too vast and I will probably dedicate a separate article to it. Let’s move forward and have a look at some other aspects.

Chitral’s Thrilling Exploration

For the adventure seeker, Chitral is a playground of possibilities. The Shandur Pass, often referred to as the ‘Roof of the World,’ beckons trekkers with its challenging trails and breathtaking views. Imagine standing at this high-altitude pass, where the wind whispers tales of nomads and ancient caravans.

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, embark on a river rafting expedition, navigating the swirling rapids that carve through Chitral’s rugged terrain. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or a novice hiker, Chitral offers adventures that cater to all levels of thrill-seekers. The landscapes, rugged and untamed, invite you to leave your comfort zone and embrace the extraordinary.

It is a bit offensive but people in Islamabad think that the capital city is surrounded by mountains. I mean those are not mountains. We called places with that height “Dook” in our local language. If you want to experience what a real mountain looks like and what it looks like to hike then you should visit Chitral. There are too many who talk about the beauty of Chitral so I not dedicating too much to this section. Let’s talk about some other unexplored features of Chitral.

Chitrali Foods

People often ask me about Chitrali food and if I am to sum things up in one word about Chitrali food that would be “Salted”. I do not know the reason but we are too much into salt. We even drink salted tea which people here find quite awkward but if you ask me it is better than the sweet version of tea. Other than that if we are to compare Chitral’s food with the rest of the country there is not much similarity. Except for some dishes that are made of rice and vegetables the food in Chitral is totally different and almost 90% of those dishes do not even have names in Urdu.

But when it comes to taste, Chitrali food is much more delicious and healthier and the inclination is more towards dairy products and meat to some extent. The primary reason for this is the weather in Chitral. Other than wheat, corn, and a localised version of rice there is not much grown locally. People are heavily dependent on dairy products and meat which are both easily available.

If you are reading this and are a Non-Khowar/Chitrali speaker you won’t be able to correctly pronounce even the names of Chitrali dishes. But if you are curious enough to know those names let me write here some of the famous dishes and you can try to pronounce them. These dishes are Sanabachi, Ghalmandi, Rishoki, Shoshp, Chiera Shapik etc, and yes there are also no English alphabets for those Chitrali words so the above ones are just the best I could do. This is it I think, and there is no more than that to talk about food.

Celebrations in Chitral: Music and Dance

Chitral’s cultural heartbeat resonates in its music and dance. The rhythmic beats of traditional instruments, accompanied by soulful melodies, create an immersive experience that transcends language.

If you ask me Chitrali music and dance are one of the best in the world. Yes, for an outsider watching people waving hands in the air looks strange but only we the people of Chitral know how diversely you can wave arms in the air with every changing beat (The sentence may look odd but it is what it is). There are several beats to which we dance, we call those beats “Waar” in our local language. These “Waars” never fail to amaze me. Chitral is a small place with a small population but these beats are too many and every single one of them is totally different from the other and every Waar has a different story attached to it. To come up with this much diversity in not a widely spoken language is truly astonishing. I mean I do not have words to describe how beautiful and diverse those beats are and how they can make you feel like dancing even if you do not know the ABC of Chitrali dance.

Now when we talk about music this is even better than those dance beats. If you ask me to sum up Chitrali music and especially poetry in one word that one word would be “Delightful”. There is deepness in Chitrali poetry and it is a true mixture of history, culture and unconditional love. I do not know how many languages in the world have written poetry keeping in the life of an animal. Chitralis have done that as well. The story of a deer which is about to be hunted in the presence of its fawn, but keeps making false promises to its fawn that no one is going to hunt them and they are safe even after it was shot. I mean this story has been put to words by a Chitrali poet and I am sure there is no other language in the world that can present it this beautifully in the form of poetry. Then there are the stories of those oppressed people of the past in the poems and the way they have been written is truly amazing. It does not end here. Chitrali poets are very good with romantic poetry as well. They have the knack for choosing the right word for the right thing and Chitrali romantic music and poetry is something truly out of this world. I know this is a bit too much for a non-Khowar speaker to digest but let me assure you I can not put the beauty and diversity of Chitrali music into words. What I have written is just the tip of the iceberg.

In conclusion, I would say that I am I do not write this article to attract tourism. The way tourists behave these days has made me very anti-tourism. I believe that if you do not have moral values and do not know how to behave then you have no right to visit a place like Chitral. Having said that I have written this article for one reason, I just wanted to write about my place and its people, that is it.