Hunza Valley;

Hunza is a mountainous valley in GILGIT in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of the Northern areas of Pakistan. The Hunza valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres (7,999 feet).

The territory of Hunza is about 7,900 km² {3,050 mi²). Karim abad (formally called BALTIT) is the main town which is also a very popular tourist destination because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains like ,ULTAR SAR, RAKAPOSHI, GHENTA PEAK, HUNZA PEAK, DUMAANI PEAK, and BUBULIMO TING (LADY-FINGER PEAK), all 19,685 ft or higher.

Hunza Valley is not only the land of attractive natural beauty but it has the valuable treasure of historical events hidden under the thick cover of time. Nature has always had the power to attract human feelings, each sign of nature sends a message of beauty and inspiration to those who care to notice. There are a few places in the world whose natural beauty and inspiration reaches there peaks, the northern area of Pakistan.

People of Hunza;

As much as the valley is famous for its natural beauty, the people of Hunza are famous in Hospitality. The local and central Hunza language is Burushaski but Wakhi and Shina languages are also spoken in different areas in Hunza, most of people understand Urdu as well as English. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is believed to be more than 95%. Every child of the new generation studies up to at least high school level. Many pursue higher studies from reputed colleges and Universities of Pakistan and abroad.

Burusho;

The Burusho also known as Hunzukutz, and Burusho are a mountain people who live primarily in Hunza State and Nagir State in Pakistan. They live in deep valleys and gorges cut by the Hunza River and its tributaries, Currently, the population of the Burushos exceeds 60,000 people. Some live across the Pakistani-Chinese frontier in the immediate border region of Tibet. Ethnolinguists are unable to classify the Burusho language. but it is divided into two dialects that reflect Burusho locations in Hunza and Nagir.

Burusho live in different areas like Hunza, Nager, and Yaseen of northern areas of Pakistan. There are also about 300 Burusho living in Siri nager (India). Their language, Burushaski, has not been shown to be related to any other. Its mother language could not be traced that's why its called an Isolated Language. There are only eight languages are isolated across the world. Burushaski language is also incluede in them.

About Hunza;

Hunza in Gilgit Baltistan: The Northern Areas of Pakistan lying under the great mountain ranges of Himalaya Karakorum Hindu Kush Hindu Raj and Pamir, surrounded by high peaks of 6500 m to 8600 meters.
Administratively divided with five districts, which runs by DC,s and the concern authority. Controlled from Gilgit by Chief Secretary. The chief secretary controlled by Federal Government Islamabad.
Gilgit the capital of Northern Areas has been inhabited for thousands of years, the various invaders, reached in the South, reached here. The animism of early inhabitants was over laid by fair worship, brought from in Iran. Which was modified by the Indo Aryans in 1700 BC.
From the 1st century Gilgit was like Kashgar, the trade center from all places as its now. From 4th century to 11th century AD, It was under Buddhism influence of Sogdiana dynasty, Kushans Hindu Shahis and later Islam introduce in this area. Gilgit situated at an important point, Central Asia-China.
Northern Area is connected with air and road with other cities of Pakistan including Islamabad the Capital. There are daily flights to Skardu and Gilgit, which is subject to weather. It’s linked with Karakorum highway through the Indus valley. 620 Kilometers to Gilgit and 832 Kilometers to Skardu. It’s a two days drive to reach Gilgit & Skardu.
Northern Areas is the fairy land, which covers thousands of Square Kilometers if high snow capped mountain, surrounded by Lashed green valleys rivers, Glaciers- High meadows –high passes –Pine Dev Dar Forest, Juniper trees, Cultivated fields, Fruit orchards, which offer Spectacular panoramic view of natural disaster. Northern Area is a tourist paradise for Trekkers, Climbers –Skiers –Jeep Safaris-Rock Climbing –White Water Rafting-Cultural Tours, Silk Route Travelers –Mountain Bike Tours and many many.

The visitor of Hunza are overwhelmed by the rigged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful popular trees and the velvet like green carpet to wheat fields, set against the background of snow covered mountains. Situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is Maximum 27 C and minimum 14 C as well as July is max & min 30 C.
The temperature in October are maximum 10 C and minimum 5 C.
Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. The local language is Burushaski. English & Urdu are also under- stood by number of people.
Karimabad is the capital of Hunza, offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi 7,788 meters and as well as view of Ulter Peak 1 and 2, Ladyfinger, Daran Peak and Golden Peak. The snow of Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime.
The fairy tail like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is Hunza landmark built 800 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden look out over the valley.

Written Burushaski;

Burushaski Language: بروشسکی زبان

Burushaski is an islolated language and unknown to be related t o any language in the world. Burusho people live in the Hunza, Nager and Yaseen, and parts of the Gilgit valleys in the Gilgit Baltistan people in North Pakistan. It is also spoken by some 300 speakers in Siri Nager in India.

There is another name of Burushaski which is call ed Kanjuut but its to be said that the old name of Hunza was Kanjuut that's why people used this name for the language.

Numerous words from other languages such as Urdu, English, Sansikrat, Persion and other languages words received and from neighboring Dardic Language such as Khuwaar and Shinaa, as well as a few from Turkic Language, but the original vocabulary remains largely intact. The Dardic languages also contain large numbers of loa nwords from Burushaski.

There are three divergent dialects, named after the main valleys: Hunza, Nager and Yaseen (also called Werchikwār). The dialect of Yaseen is thought to be the least affected by with neighboring languages and is generally less similar to the other two than those are to each other; nevertheless all three dialects are mutually intelligible.

Burushaski can be written as well as spoken. The first writer and poet of Burushaski is Allamah Nasir al-Din Nasir Hunzai (Founder of Burushaski) who used his own alphabets. The Burushaski Research Academy in cooperation with Karachi University, has published the first volume (alif to cha) of Burushaski-Urdu Dictionary three years ago and Burushaski Dictionary 2nd Vol is also has also published recently from same university.

Books In Burushaski Language;

Allamah Nasir Al-Din Nasir Hunzai (S.I) "Founder of Burushaski" ha s written many Burushaski Books like, Diiwaani Nasiiri, Burushaski Jawaahir paarey, Dekaran, Shimul booq, Saweene bareng, Burushaski Burjooning etc. It’s very easy to read and write his script because his famous book in Burushaski (Diiwaane Nasiiri) is known to everyone even childern by saying his sacred GINANs in JAMA’AT KHANAs. Anyhow there are some other books in Burushaski Language by local poets but their script can not be read easily becuase their alphabets are unknown to everyone. They have used differnt alphabets so their script is limited to themselves only. Although Allamah Nasir Al-Din Nasir Hunzai (the first poet of Burushaski) has also written many poetry books too in some languages such as Tukey, Gujrati, Persion and Urdu. His numerous books have been translated into other languages.

Founder Of Burushaski:

Allamah Nasir Al-Din Nasir Hunzai (D.F) is Founder of Burushaski. He is the author of over a hundred books related to the esoteric interpretation of the Holy Quran. He writes both prose as well as poetry. He is first person to have a Diwan of Poetry. His mother tongue, and is known as “Baabaaye Burushaski” (father of Burushaski) for his service that language. He also composes poetry in three other languages; Urdu, Persion and Tukish. His contribution to spiritual science has been widely recognized. His works include “Qur’anic healing”, “balance of Realities”, “Du’a- essence of Ibadat”, “what is Soul?”, “Recognition of Imam, Part I,II and III”, as well as being Co-author of a German Burushaski dictionary published by Deidelber University and “Hunza Proverbs” published by Calgary University. He has also translated many books into Urdu such as “Pir pandyaati Jawanmardi”, “Wajhud-Deen-I and II”, “Tajheez o Takfeen”, “Sharafat Nama”, “Fusooli Pak”, “Noori Eeqan”, “Noori Irfaan”, “Matloob-ul Momineen” etc. His many of books are not published and many books are being composed for publishing.

Burushaski Ginan:

A beautiful Video (Ginan) from My first album may be found below;

Hunza Bread;

Hunza’s ubiquitous chappati is actually a culinary import from the south. Really traditional Hunza bread is a thin wheat bread known as the khamali. Compared to a chappati, it is much larger in diameter, and the reason was practical: Wood for cooking fires is precious, and by baking a large piece of bread you can take advantage of the heat on the rather large cooking plate of a traditional Hunza stove. Phitti is probably the most famous of all Hunza breads and a common breakfast food. Thick and nutritious, with a crusty outside and a soft interior, it is time-consuming to prepare: The dough is put into a sealed metal container, and after all the other cooking has been done at night, the phitti is tucked into the embers of the hearth, where it bakes overnight.



People call it buttermilk, lassi or simply a yogurt drink. Traditionally, diltar is prepared in a goat- or sheep skin which is shaken or rolled on the ground until butter forms. An alternate method uses a tall, narrow wooden cylinder and a long, thick pole in a process much like churning butter. Nowadays, the simplest way to make diltar is to mix yogurt with an equal amount of water and blend at high speed for a few minutes. Add salt, sugar or fruits like bananas or mangos as you please.

Source link; http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200603/cooking.in.hunza.htm

Burushaski Ginan (Noor Moulana Karim)

Hunza Food;

Hunza is a fairy tale land and a lot of myth and reality has been associated to it. One thing is true of all that Hunza people are probably the most friendly people in the region. In the past it was quite common to see people crossing 100 and more years this indeed is true and can still be seen to some extent however the modern civilization has changed a lot in this valley of the longativity.

One secret of longativity of the hunza people is their low fat diet and diet full of fibre and organic vegetarian food. Hunza bread (Phitti as it is called locally) has inherited a huge fame and here is some thing about it.

Long live Hunzokutz;

There are, of course, many theories about why the people of Hunzaland live so long. Patrick Flanagan, the founder of Micro Cluster technology believes that the water is the secret along with hundreds of other people who have been using his products. The King of Hunza Land was asked why their people live so long and he said "It's the Water." The lifestyle and diet likely play an important role but their water is very different then water in other parts of the world. However, the author of the following article has her own theories. The article does provide a good picture of the superior health of the inhabitants of Hunzaland.

Beautiful Pics;

People of Hunza;

As much as the valley is famous for its natural beauty, the people of Hunza are famous in Hospitality. The local and central Hunza language is Burushaski but Wakhi and Shina languages are also spoken in different areas in Hunza, most of people understand Urdu as well as English. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is believed to be more than 95%. Every child of the new generation studies up to at least high school level. Many pursue higher studies from reputed colleges and Universities of Pakistan and abroad.

Hunza Valley;

Hunza is a mountainous valley in GILGIT in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of the Northern areas of Pakistan. The Hunza valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres (7,999 feet).

The territory of Hunza is about 7,900 km² {3,050 mi²). Karim abad (formally called BALTIT) is the main town which is also a very popular tourist destination because of the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains like ULTAR SAR, RAKAPOSHI PEAK, HOWN PEAK, GOLDEN PEAK and BUBULIMO TING (LADY-FINGER PEAK), all 19,685 ft or higher.