With breathtaking views and lush valleys, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, has unique features in terms of location, adventure, and traditions. Along with the local diversity, Gilgit Baltistan culture offers a mesmerising blend of art and history of this region.
When planning a trip to Gilgit Baltistan, prepare to visit the region’s ancient, beautiful valleys to explore the vibrant ethnic groups of Gilgit Baltistan. Meeting with the local people of this region gives you the best experience of their cultural festivals.
In this blog, we will discover the famous cultural traditions of Gilgit Baltistan. By reviewing the local arts, music, and cuisine, we will have a perfect understanding of Gilgit Baltistan culture at the end of this article.
Gilgit Baltistan: A picturesque Landscape
Visiting Gilgit Baltistan is a delightful and once-in-a-lifetime must-tour, particularly in spring. Gilgit Baltistan is a beautiful region of Pakistan with lush and picturesque valleys like Skardu and Hunza. During the tour, you can explore the rich cultural history of famous places in Gilgit Baltistan.
To explore this hidden beauty of nature, Baltoro Adventure arranges a Gilgit Baltistan Spring Blossom Tour for you. It offers a 15-day tour to indulge in the most mesmerising beauty of nature on Earth. The tour offers a memorable visit to the traditional and historical museums in Gilgit Baltistan that will represent the culture of this region.
Let’s explore the following key features that contribute to enhancing and representing the culture and history of Gilgit Baltistan.
Language and Ethnic groups in Gilgit Baltistan
Gilgit Baltistan has various ethnic diversities that significantly enhance the region’s history and unique culture. The people of Gilgit Baltistan are very hospitable and belong to different sects such as Shina, Balti, Wakhi, Burushu, and Dom. Each sect has a unique way of life, representing its respective culture through language. During your visit to Gilgit Baltistan, you will experience the following local languages in surrounding areas:
Shina:
Shina is an important and valuable language spoken in the Gilgit region of Gilgit Baltistan. Gilgit people use this language as a means of communication among them.
Balti:
The people of Baltistan use the Balti language for daily communication. Balti is also a widely accepted language of Gilgit Baltistan.
Burushaski:
Burushaski is a widely accepted language spoken by the Burusho people, a community in Hunza Valley.
Wakhi:
A language spoken in Upper Hunza Valley in Gilgit Baltistan. It is most prominently used by Wakhan people who live in Wakhan Corridor in Hunza.
Khowar:
It is spoken in the Ghizer district of Gilgit Baltistan.
During your Gilgit Baltistan Tour, you will be experiencing different languages in different regions of Gilgit-Baltistan. It will be a very interesting moment to communicate with the people of this region in their respective languages.
Traditional clothing in Gilgit Baltistan
People’s traditional lifestyles more often shape Gilgit Baltistan culture. The traditional clothing of Gilgit Baltistan reflects the region’s rich cultural diversity and uniqueness. Though different ethnic groups have various ways of clothing, there are widely known clothing styles that are commonly worn by all communities.
For Men
- Shalwar and Kameez are the famous and unique clothing of the male part of Gilgit Baltistan.
- A famous Chitrali cap, known as Pakoli, represents the cultural diversity of Chitral.
- A long shawl made of wool is most commonly used in winter. Older adults mostly wear a cultural cloak to protect themselves from the cold and harsh weather of Gilgit Baltistan.
For Women
- The people of Gilgit Baltistan strictly follow their region’s religious and social ideals. You will meet the people in long dresses and a shawl to cover their bodies.
- Gilgit Baltistan is a cold region, and people face harsh and extreme climatic conditions in winter; thus, woollen jackets and sweaters are more common among females.
- Silver jewellery items such as bracelets and necklaces significantly enhance the traditional lifestyle, passing from generation to generation.
Local Cuisine in Gilgit Baltistan
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan primarily rely on grains such as wheat, barley, and buckwheat, as well as dairy products, vegetables, and meat. Yak and goat meat are common in the colder areas, and apricots and walnuts are staples, often used in cooking and desserts.
Traditional dishes
Chapshuro
Chapshuro is the local food of the Hunza people. A blend of chopped meat, onion, chillies, and spices is filled inside a dough and baked for a few minutes. It is also called a baked cake.
If you are a food lover, Chapshuro is the best cuisine in Hunza Valley, and no one can reject it.
At Baltoro Adventures, we offer you the chance to experience the taste of Chapshoro during the Hunza Spring Blossom Tour.
Mamtu
Mamtu is the most famous dish of Gilgit Baltistan, now widely accepted as dumplings. It is generally made through steam by filling with minced meat and spices. People usually eat mamtu in winter to overcome their coldness by eating steamed food.
Harissa
It is a famous dish of Gilgit Baltistan that is slow-cooked food prepared with a mixture of flour, meat, and butter. It is cooked until it gets thick and has a delicious taste. Harissa is not commonly prepared in this region but is cooked for special occasions like festivals, celebrations, and funerals.
Diram Phitti
Diram Phitti is a sweet dish of Gilgit Baltistan that is prepared with a blend of wheat, butter, and dried apricot. It is regarded as the most healthy food in Gilgit Baltistan because the apricot sugar naturally sweetens it. It is served on special occasions just after lunch or dinner.
Sattu
Sattu is famous for making our body refreshed and cold in summer. It is usually made by adding roasted flour in water or milk. Though it is a quick recipe, it is still widely prepared in homes in Gilgit Baltistan.
Apricot Soup
Apricot soup most prominently contributed to reflecting the culture and tradition of Gilgit Baltistan. It is made when dried local apricots are mixed with sugar and water and cooked until they are thick and tasty.
Butter Tea (Salty tea)
Butter tea is mainly known as “Namkeen Chai” in Baltistan. Balti people mostly use it to boost their energy and keep fresh and healthy. The water is boiled for a few minutes by adding tea leaves and salt, and after it is cooked, milk is added to it, transforming its colour into pink. That’s why it is also called “pink tea”
Chapati and Naan
It is more likely that adding salt, oil, milk powder, and eggs to flour will prepare the bread and the dough. After leaving for a few minutes, the dough is either baked in the oven or cooked inside a pot. It is mostly used for breakfast by the Balti people.
Local cuisine in Gilgit-Baltistan is often common in different regions, symbolizing uniqueness and hospitality among people from various backgrounds. Local foods also reflect the unique and rich culture and history of Gilgit Baltistan. The people of this region are warm and hospitable to guests.
If you want to know more about Gilgit Baltistan’s culture and traditions, famous festivals in Gilgit Baltistan also serve as the most crucial and significant factors in utilizing the region’s traditional norms and culture through various activities.
With its beautiful places like Skardu, Hunza, Chitral, and Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan is ideal for adventure campaigners who want to witness natural beauty. Whether you choose the peaceful charm of Hunza in Autumn or experience the cherry blossom in Skardu, each region enhances Gilgit Baltistan culture. From experiencing the taste of traditional dishes to celebrating the famous traditions of Gilgit Baltistan, each experience offers unparalleled beauty with blooming apricots and cherry trees against snow-capped peaks.
FAQs
What are the main languages spoken in Gilgit-Baltistan?
The primary languages in Gilgit-Baltistan include Shina, Balti, Burushaski, Wakhi, and Khowar. Each language represents a distinct ethnic group, contributing to the region’s cultural richness.
How are music and dance effective in Gilgit-Baltistan culture?
Music and dance are representations of cultural events. Traditional instruments like the Rubab and Dadang accompany the Sword, Balti, and Wakhi dance, reflecting the region’s heritage.
What are the famous dishes in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Some unique and traditional dishes include Chapshuro (meat pie), Mamtu (steamed dumplings), Balay (noodle soup), and Diram Phitti (apricot-based dessert). Beverages like butter tea and apricot juice are also popular.
What traditional clothing is followed in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Men commonly wear shalwar kameez with woollen cloaks and caps like the Pakol, while women wear long dresses with embroidered shawls. Accessories like silver jewellery and vibrant headpieces are also part of traditional attire.
