Arts, Culture & Heritage
‘Burushaski’—A Unique and Mysterious Language
”Language is a living thing. We can feel it changing. Parts of it become old: they drop off and are forgotten. New pieces bud out, spread into leaves, and become big branches, proliferating.”
-Gilbert Highet
A couple of days ago, I went to Hunza where I came across an old man— a kind and generous fellow. He asked a few questions about the origin of Burushaski language. To my discomfiture, I couldn’t answer his questions. I felt gloomy for not being able to have even a modicum of knowledge about my mother language. Though he knew all the answers, he advised me to find answers to those questions on my own. I expressed my utmost gratitude to him for making me realize. Regrettably, it has become a common practice to use either Urdu or English language at home instead of using our local languages. Sadly, it has resulted in the declination of our local languages.
This incident compelled me to explore more about Burushaski language. After peeking through some articles, research papers, and books I came to realize that some great people have devoted their lives to preserving Burushaski language. Fortuitously, I found something interesting and worth-mentioning. A German linguist Hermann Berger and a prominent linguist of Hunza Naseeruddin Hunzai had taken a special interest in this mysterious language. They published a German-Burushaski dictionary that contains 50,000 words. According to some scholars and linguists, Burushaski language is a ‘linguist isolate’ which means it has no resemblance with other languages. Moreover, a research journal ‘Jareeda’ published by University of Karachi’s Bureau Compilation, Composition and Translation concluded that Burushaski language is quite different from the languages spoken in the neighboring areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.
To put it in other words, Burushaski language has always been unique and mysterious. It would be quite thrilling to dive deep into it to unveil this mystery. Why it is mysterious and unique? And what is its origin? There are a plethora of theories about the origin of this unique language. Some sections of the society posited that those who speak Burushaski (Burusho) are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great. While some linguists and historians speculated that some of Alexander’s soldiers stayed in the region due to their deteriorated health and couldn’t go further. There is another theory that suggests that the Burusho people have an ancestral lineage to the ‘Hoon’ tribe. The word Hunza or, Hoon’za has been derived from Hoon Zada which means ‘born of the Hoon’ tribe. Furthermore, Ilija Casule opined that Burushaski language is an Indo-European language. He further writes, “there are three very closely related dialects: Hunza and Nager with minimal differences, and the Yasin dialect (Werchikwar), which exhibits differential traits”. Burusho people dwelling in the regions of Hunza, Yasin, and Nager speak Burushaski language, but there is a difference when it comes to dialects.
According to Encyclopedia Iranica, “The grammatical structure of Burushaski is reminiscent both of the Caucasian languages and that of Basque (today spoken only in southwestern France and northern Spain)”. In addition to this, Berger a German scholar opined that the Caucasian language has a resemblance with Burushaski language. Some linguists say that the counting and digits in Burushaski language are somehow similar to the French language. Research conducted by linguists and researchers of Macquarie University in Australia concluded that Burushaski language is Indo-European in its origin. In addition to this, Professor Casule carried out robust research which concluded that the Burushaski language is an Indo-European language and it is probably ancient Phrygian. He accentuated that Phrygian people migrated from Macedonia to Anatolia and they were popular for their legendary kings. They migrated to the east and reached India. Therefore, Professor Casule opined that Burusho people are the descendants of Alexander the Great. It vividly shows that each theory has its pros and cons. For some people, it is just a myth while others accept it as a reality. Anyhow, we all are accustomed to using a dictionary if we come across any difficult word, be it Urdu, English or, any other language we always need a dictionary to find meaning and usage of any difficult word. In this connection, an erudite Burushaski linguist Naseeruddin Hunzai and some eminent scholars of Burushaski Research Academy published the first Burushaski-Urdu dictionary with the collaboration of the University of Karachi’s Bureau Compilation, Composition, and Translation. Interestingly, it contains 60,000 Burushaski words. It is worth noticing that some erudite scholars and linguists paid close attention to preserving and promoting this unique language, and their work is without any shadow of a doubt praiseworthy. Among them, late Allama Nasiruddin Nasir Hunzai an eminent linguist who is known as “Father of Burushaski” played a significant role to promote this language through his mesmerizing Burushaski poetry. Late Qudratullah Baig laid the foundation of writing Burushaski in Roman-English and Arabic-Urdu letters. Last but not least, Ghulam Uddin a prominent scholar translated the Holy Quran into Burushaski language.
The above-mentioned writers are the most senior Burushaski writers who produced valuable Burushaski literature and played an immense role in the preservation and promotion of this strange language. Now, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the young blood. Those great linguists have bequeathed a rich legacy that is of grave significance. Being Burusho people what we have done to preserve and promote this unique language? Now, it is time to contemplate and do something palpable to pass it on to the coming generations.
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Altit Fort Hunza is a hidden gem in the heart of the Hunza Valley, Pakistan. This ancient fortress, dating back to the 11th century, offers a captivating blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty.
This is an ancient fort in the Altit town in the Hunza valley in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It was originally home to the hereditary rulers of the Hunza state who carried the title of ‘Mir‘, although they moved to the somewhat younger Baltit fort nearby three centuries later. The Fort and in particular the Shikari tower is around 1100 years old, which makes it the oldest monument in the Gilgit–Baltistan. The fort has received the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2011.
Why visit Altit Fort Hunza?
- Historical Significance: As one of the oldest surviving monuments in the Hunza Valley, Altit Fort provides a glimpse into the region’s rich past.
- Architectural Marvel: The fort’s intricate woodwork, carved balconies, and beautiful murals are a testament to the craftsmanship of its builders.
- Panoramic Views: Perched on a hilltop, Altit Fort offers breathtaking vistas of the Hunza Valley and surrounding mountains.
- Cultural Experience: The fort serves as a museum, showcasing artifacts and traditions of the Hunza people.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site highlights its cultural and historical importance.
Tips for Visiting:
Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the most pleasant weather for visiting.
How to Get There: You can reach Altit Fort by trekking from Karimabad or hiring a taxi.
Entrance Fee: There is a small entrance fee to enter the fort.
Things to Do: Explore the fort’s chambers, visit the museum, and enjoy the panoramic views.
Don’t Forget: Bring a camera to capture the stunning scenery and architecture.
Here are some additional photos:
This fort is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Pakistan. Its historical significance, architectural beauty, and cultural richness make it a truly unforgettable experience.
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Arts, Culture & Heritage
Gilgit-Baltistan Jashan Azadi Polo Festival 2024 Concludes with NLI Victory
Jashan Azadi Polo Festival Concludes with NLI Victory. A total of 15 teams participated in the Jashan Azadi Polo Festival, while teams from Chitral also participated for the first time. The NLI polo team defeated the Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts Polo Team in the final, scoring 4 goals to 3. Both teams had advanced to the final round by competing against various other polo teams. The match was a thrilling contest.
The match played at the Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground was watched and enjoyed by a large number of fans, a spectacular fireworks display was also performed at the end of the match.
A large number of fans from all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Chitral, and from both domestic and foreign tourists, gathered at Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground to watch the final match. However, due to overcrowding, thousands were unable to enter. Some fans resorted to watching the match from the rooftops of nearby structures.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan attended the final match of Jashan Azadi Polo Festival at Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground as a special guest. On this occasion, he said that polo is the national sport of Gilgit-Baltistan and a part of our historical and cultural heritage. Concrete steps will be taken at the government level to make polo popular among the people and to promote long-standing traditions.
He expressed his appreciation for Chitral’s participation in the Jashan Azadi Polo Festival and commended Major General Kashif Khalil Force Commander Gilgit-Baltistan for successfully organizing the event. The Force Commander pledged to further enhance the Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground and expand the seating capacity to accommodate more spectators.
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