2. KASHMIR-Heaven On Earth
The name Kashmir is derived from two words ka (the
water) and shimeera (to desiccate), so the word
Kashmir implies land desiccated from water.
It is also called and known as the Heaven on
Earth because of its natural widespread beauty.
3. Major Ethnic Groups
Kashmiris are mainly concentrated in the Valley bottom.
Kashmiris immigrated mainly from Turkey, Iran, Central
Asia and Afghanistan, and settled in the valley.
Ladakhis are a mixture of Mongoloid and Aryan races.
Dogras occupy the outskirts of the Punjab plain
Kashmiris Ladhakis
4. Hanjis are confined to water bodies of Kashmir; They are
mainly confined to the Dal, Wular, Anchar lakes and the
Jhelum river.
Gujjars and Bakarwals are living and oscillating in the
Kandi areas; they have nomadic character and largely
depend on flocks and cattle keeping for thier livelihood.
Dards occupy the valley of Gurez.
Major Ethnic Groups
5. The population living in the Valley of Kashmir is primarily
homogeneous, despite the religious divide between
Muslims (94%), Hindus (4%), and Sikhs (2%).
The people living in Jammu that profess Hindu and Muslim
faiths are ethnically different from those living in the Valley
in terms of ethnicity, language and culture.
The people living in Ladakh are primarily Buddhist and are
of Tibetan origins. The Muslim minority in Ladakh belongs
to the Shia sect.
Population
6. Kashmir’s culture is interlinked with its geography: cut off
from the rest of India by high mountains, it lies along the
once fabled Silk Route.
For centuries it has thus been open to influences from
Persia and the countries of the Central Asia.
Kashmiri Culture
7. Distinct from the rest of the country, Jammu and Kashmir
sports a multifaceted, multicolored and unique cultural blend.
Not only the geographical conditions of the state are different
but it can also be set apart demographically with varied ethical
and social entities, diversity of religions flourishing in the
area, different language and cultural forms and heritage albeit
with an over-reigning harmony that blends in with the serenity
and beauty of the region.
Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and
Persian as Indo-Aryanic civilization has originated and
flourished here.
The people of the Valley, share common
ethnicity, culture, language and customs, which is no doubt the
basis of "Kashmiriyat".
Kashmiri Culture – Multifaceted ,Multicolored and
Unique
8. The most important part of the cultural identity of the
Kashmiri people is the Kashmiri(Koshur) language. This
language is spoken only in the Valley of Kashmir by the
Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims.
Kashmiri, popularly known as Koshur, is an Indo-Aryan
language.
Kashmiri Language-Koshur
9. Kanger
The Kangri ("Kanger") is a clay pot surrounded by a
willow basket with a handle.
In the cold months of the year, glowing embers of
charocoal fill the clay pot, and this marvel of invention is
carried around under the cloak-like pheran.
They have their uses in the summer months too, when
lighted charocoal required for bookah smoking is stored in
them.
10. Pheran
No jacket or blazer can
compare with the comfort or
convenience of the pheran.
Knee-length and baggy, the
sleeves are loose enough for
the arms to be retracted into it.
Pheran are made of tweed;
dark browns and blues being
the most favoured colors of
this distinctive Kashmiri
dress.
Every man, woman and child
wears a pheran during the
cold winter months.
Even during the rest of the
year, a sudden drop in the
temperature bring pheran out
from store cupboards.
11. Pheran -Women
Women wear a modified version of this pheran throughout the year. While there are many
materials to choose from, the most poised will always remain velvet.
Women’s pheran are knee length, and the velvet ones are profusely embroidered in real silver
thread at the throat, cuffs and hem.
There are a few standard designs for the embroidery, the most lavish being
stylized Chinar leaves around the neckline.
Silver embroidery on a velvet pheran is a status symbol
.
12. Wazwan
Wazwan is a multi-course meal in the
Kashmiri Muslim tradition.
The preparation is traditionally done by a
vasta waza, or head chef, with the
assistance of a court of wazas, or chefs.
The essential Wazwan dishes include:
Marcha-wangan korma
Sheekh kabab: spicy ground lamb on skewers
Gushtaab: Chopped lamb with spices cooked in
oil, milk and curds
kebab
maach kebab
13. Kashmiri beverages
Noon Chai or Sheer Chai
Kashmiris are heavy tea drinkers. The word "noon" in Kashmiri language means
Salt. The most popular drink is a pinkish colored salted tea called “noon Chai”.
It is made with green tea, milk ,salt.
Noon Chai or Sheer Chai is a common breakfast tea in Kashmiri households and is
taken with breads like bagerkhani brought fresh from the Sufi, or bakers. Often, this
tea is served in large Samovars.
Kehwah
At marriage feasts, festivals, and religious places, it is customary to
serve Kahwah, or Qahwah (originates from a 14th-century Arab coffee, which, in
turn, was named after an ancient beverage of the Sufis) - a green tea made
with saffron, spices, and almonds or walnuts
Over 20 varieties of Kahwah are prepared in different households. Some people also
put milk in kahwah (half milk + half kahwah). This chai is also known as "Maugal
Chai" by some Kashmiri Pandits from the smaller villages of Kashmir.
15. Samavor
There is no home in Kashmir that
does not have a samovar. Each family
has one or two samovars
A samovar is a traditional Kashmiri
kettle used to brew, boil and serve tea
and kehwa.
Kashmiri samovars are made of
copperware with engraved or
embossed calligraphic motifs. Inside
a samovar there is a fire-container in
which charcoal and live coals are
placed. Around the fire-container
there is a space for water to boil.
In addition to Kashmir, the samovar
is also found in Russia and Persia.
16. Music
Kashmiri Valley music is closer to Central Asian Music using traditional Central Asian
instruments while music from Jammu is similar to that of North India and Ladakhi music is
similar to the music of Tibet.
Chakri is played with musical instruments like the Harmonium ,the rubab ,the sarangi and
the nout. Chakri ends with the rouf,
Rouf is a traditional dance form usually performed by girls on certain important occasions
like Eid, marriage and other functions.Rouf includes dancing and singing simultaneously.
No musical instrument is required for this. Girls arrange themselves in two or three rows,
each row has four to six girls. Each row of girls then moves one step forward and then back
in swaying motion while singing the Rouf song or Wanwun
