EducationGilgit - BaltistanPakistan

Tom and Jenny wedlocked in Chipursan

By: Sultan Ahmed

The Wakhi tradition of marriage is unique and has its own beauty. For centuries, this tradition has been kept alive. There is general feeling that because of globalization, all traditions are affected and wakhi tradition is not an exception to that. To the contrary, it was interesting to note that two foreigners traveled all the way from their home country to the Chipursan valley and got married in the traditional way.

They lived in two separate houses and had the traditional wedding dresses. Jenny was wearing shalwar kameez and embroidered ladies cap. She had covered her body with Dupatta and shawl. Tom was wearing white shalwar kameez and the traditional woolen garment called Chuga (bet in wakhi). He was also wearing the turban on his head. Traditional food was prepared and served to all guests coming from different parts of Chipursan valley. It is important to mention that before the advent of vehicles, the bride and groom would use horses to get to their destination but nowadays it is not the common practice because of vehicles.

 However, Tom and Jeneey revived that tradition and used horses to travel between the two houses. Jenny was aware that whenever a lady leaves her house at marriage, she cries to show her attachment to her parents and other family members. Therefore she respected this norm as some tears appeared on her cheek while she was originating from the house.  

According to the tradition, all male guests got opportunity to dance on the beat of trio band. A polo match was also played as part of the celebrations. This was an interesting and unique event in the history of Chiprusan.

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8 Comments

  1. Gafch koshroye!! Thank you sultan mamoo for sharing such wonderful news with all of us. We xhiks need to maintain our norms and traditions and bring it in practices.

  2. Thanks for sharing this loving couple’s tale. This shows how rich is our culture, norms, rituals and values.

    Well, everything is fine except the turban Tom is wearing. This particular turban is not in a Wakhi culture as far as my weak knowledge reveal. How does this expensive, luxurious and glamorous thing come in our simple and elegent culture? Well, the turban may not be that expensive or glamorous as I narrated but its not a part of us (although it looks good on him). He could have have used our simple traditional cap/hat instead ot that.

    Anyhow, I wish a very happy and cherishing life for the couple and thank them to use our land and culture for their marraige. And also thank them for teaching us that we are also rich and we ought not to leave our beautiful values.

    ALL MY LOVE, WITH ALL MY HEART

    L(‘-‘)VE

  3. with the passage of time new activites are added in our culture in many parts of our area,but it is still alive in its pure form in chipursan valley.

  4. It’s very nice to hear about the couple who preferred our land to instigate their new life. But the thing which is wondering me is that what message it gives to us. As I understand it is that we have a unique tradition and peoples are enjoying it in the way they want to enjoy because we have flexibility in our tradition and we have kept the essence of our tradition. It’s quite possible some readers may not agree with me but when I am saying this with proves. According to sociology tradition has two main parts visible and invisible tradition. Visible tradition (dress, house and food) can change with the passage of time but it’s the invisible tradition (Norms, attitudes, values and faith) which can not change easily. If we change this tradition it means we are showcasing our tradition with dress and dance but we have lost its actual spirit.
    I think our parents have preserved these both types of tradition that’s why people from out side not only appreciate it but also like to be a part of this tradition. Now it’s our (young generation) responsibility to carry this and convey it to our new generation with its spirit.
    Congratulation Tom and Jenny on your matrimony.
    Whit best regards
    Hameed Tajiki Karachi

  5. A great deal for others to have an insight of our cultural richness.Well done Chipurson Jamat for giving a true picture of our cuture to the members of international communities.
    A great job you have done.
    Aslam Ghalib
    Lahore

  6. “A 2500 years old culture has a dead language.which is not in written shape” Unbearable saying by Amrican resaercher. as you know that language is the back born of a culture.we proud of our language that it is spoken in 5 different countries.but still it is dead. i agree with that amrican person. why we are not working for the development of wakhi language.i apptriciate mr fazal amin, ahmad jami,ali qurban,and the great effort of mr haqiqat. but why they not come on one plateforum.fazal amin consider himself right.jami ignore his efforts and try to follow his alphabats.ali qurban too. why… ? still we are in a deep dream. our elder runing behind NGOs.they completely left our culture and area.there is a very big income from our culture,minnreals,tourest,politics etc. the remaining people who cannot do any thing.they go behind these things.these things are the future of our area.Sultan sir now go through the condition of chipurson,they huge amount of money and minnral is using very roughly. if there will be a good educated leader then they will utlize these thing in a proper way.illitrate persons try to manage these things alone.which is not so easy.i mean that we know that these things r our long term resource.either that is language or other elements.but why we are still watching the unbearble movies of our area.i request every youth to play an active role in this meter.

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