This document provides an overview of a research study on the traditional clothing practices of women in Baltistan, Pakistan. The study aims to document and preserve the traditional dress and ornament styles worn by older Balti women that are at risk of being lost. It will involve interviewing 30 women aged 50+ from 3 regions to understand similarities and differences in clothing construction, materials, and ornament use between areas. The researcher will examine garments, take photos, and analyze qualitative interview data. The study seeks to educate future generations on Balti women's cultural heritage before direct sources of knowledge are gone.

1. Traditional Clothing Practices
of Women in Baltistan
Submitted by:
Sarwat Halima Haider
Department of Textiles and Clothing (2014)
Research Supervisor:
Dr. Samia Kalsoom
Co- Supervisor:
Dr. Bedar Bakht

2. 1. INTRODUCTION
 Throughout the record history, clothing along
with food and shelter has been recognized as
one of primary need of mankind throughout
the globe (Manlow, 2007).
 Although different cultures have varying
attitudes towards clothing, the same is true
for different attitudes within a culture as well.
They can vary from family to family and
individuals to individual.
 Gilgit-Baltistan is home to a number of
diversified cultures, ethnic groups, languages
and various backgrounds.

4. 1. INTRODUCTION
 The traditional dress
worn by Balti women
is of very unique
style. The
construction of the
garment is very
different and useful
according to their
environment.
 The dress is stitch by
the special women
who know how to
stitch the garments.

5. 1.1 REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
 Attire is most importantly an unmistakable
mean of covering the body and has been
known as the "second skin“. Clothing turns
into a piece of the self-perception and the
same worries that are attached to the body
are regularly connected to apparel (Horn &
Gurel, 1981).
 Throughout history the surrounding world of
man has impinged on to this mysterious land
and left indelible impressions of its contacts
on the people and their inaccessible habitat.

6. 1.1 REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
 Northern areas (Gilgit Baltistan) of
Pakistan have now opened new
approaches to history. That is a world, no
doubt, less known, but full of
information”. (Dani, 1989).
 The traditional Balti dress is color full
mostly red, green and pink color,
having silver or golden boundaries.
 In Balti women dress there is a small
opening on both elbows which are used
to put out their hands for washing clothes
and other purposes.

7. Traditional Balti Dress

8. 1.1 REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
 For winter season special sweater RuguneGone
(winter cloths) are used which are made up of
wool or cotton. It is decorated with different
handicrafts from the front side.

9. 1.1 REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
 The custom of wearing
(Nating) caps by the women members
in the areas of Baltistan have a unique
feature of its cultural heritage.
 The piece of jewelry worn in the front
is called “zewarat” which is made of
Pure Silver.
 “TUMAR” is used to cover the
spherical Balti cap which is usually
wear by the women of Baltistan.

10. The ornament
which cover the
cap is called
“TUMAR”
NATING (CAP)

11. 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
 Now a days the traditional Balti dress is not
popular among young generation only old
women wear the traditional dress, this
research is an attempt to explore and
preserve the knowledge of the traditional
clothing of Balti women.
 In this research the researcher will describe/
keep a record of the traditional dress and
ornaments worn by Balti women for
upcoming generations.
 This is the right time to keep the record as
the old women are the only source of
information.

12. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To observe and record the clothing
practices of Balti women in three different
regions (Skardu, Khaplu & Shigar) of
Baltistan.
2. To find out the similarities and differences in
clothing practices of Balti women among
three regions.
3. To know the construction methods of the
Balti dress.
4. To know the materials used in making dress
of Balti women.
5. To know the ornaments used by Balti
women.

13. 1.3 Significance of the
Research Study
 Baltistan is one of the beautiful and
remote areas of Pakistan, but at a
same time it is very rich in it’s culture.
 The culture of Baltistan is very unique
and has its own importance. Also, this
is a study which will conduct at 8,700
feet above sea level, on highest land
of Pakistan.

14. 1.3 Significance of the
Research Study
 The traditional clothing of women in
Baltistan has been vanished and after
one generation the women who have
the knowledge will expire, it is the right
time to raise our pen on this topic so a
record can be kept for our
generations.
 The nations who do not preserve their
culture left no mark behind them for
their up coming generation.

15. 1.4 Delimitations of the
Research Study
 The study will be delimitated to:
1. Female age group above 50 years.
2. Data will be collected from three
regions of Baltistan (Skardu, Khaplu
& Shigar).

17. Key terms of Research Study
 Baltistan: Presence in the North of Pakistan
 Practice: The way people follow things
 Culture: Ccustoms and social behavior of a
particular people or society.
 Vanished: Disappear suddenly and
completely.
 Ornaments: Jewellery.
 Balti women: The women who live in
Baltistan.
 Traditional Clothing: Cloths worn by them.
 Ethnography: Culture study.

18. 2. Time plan
S.no Activity Week Period
1 Supervisor meeting 2 weeks 01 June to 15 June
2014
2 Formation of the interview 2 weeks 16 June to 30 June2014
3 Data collection 4 weeks 1 July to 30 July 2014
4 Interviews of women 4 weeks 1 Aug to 31 Aug 2014
5 Review of literature 12 weeks 1 sep to 30 Nov 2014
6 Data analysis &
interpretation
4 weeks 1 Dec to 30 Dec 2014
7 Review the study 8 weeks 1 Jan to 30 Feb 2015
8 Compiling the study 10 weeks 1 March to 15 May
2015
9 Submission of the study 16 May 2015

19. 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

20. 3.1 Nature of the study
 The study is Ethnography and
exploratory in nature that is why
qualitative method will use to achieve
the objectives of this research.

21. 3.2 Population of the study
 The population for the study will
comprise of old women age above 50
years who live in three different
regions (Skardu, Shigar & Khaplu) of
Baltistan and those women used to
wear the Balti dress.

22. 3.3 Sampling Design
 Three areas (Skardu, Shigar &
Khaplu) of Baltistan are selected for
sampling. A sample of 30 old women
above 50 years of age will be selected
by non probability purposive sampling
from these three regions. 10 women
from each area will be selected.

23. 3.4 Research Questions
1. What are the clothing practices of Balti
women in three different regions (Skardu,
Khaplu & Shigar) of Baltistan?
2. Is clothing practice of Balti women in 3
different regions (Skardu, Khaplu & Shigar)
of Baltistan are different?
3. What are the construction methods of the
Balti women dress?
4. Which materials are used in Balti women
dress?
5. Which types of ornaments are used by Balti
women?

24. 3.5 Instrumentation
 The researcher will take in depth
interview from the population for gaining
access to individuals life world.
 The interview will be semi structured by
nature. A series of open end questions
based on the topic areas will be asked
by the sample.
 Interpretive validity approach will be use,
which is concern with the participant’s
perspective.

25. 3.5 Instrumentation
 The researcher will also examine the
construction methods of the Balti
women dress.
 Photographs of garment and
ornaments will be taken.

26. 3.6 Data Collection Procedure
 Data from internet and books will
collect in record.
 Information through interviews will be
hand written and then added in to the
record.
 The open end nature of the questions
defines the topic and also gives
opportunities for interviewer and
interviewee to explain the topic in
detail.

27. 3.6 Data Collection Procedure
 The researcher will also examine the
construction methods of the Balti women
dress its different parts which are stitch
together and also observe the difference
in style between the three regions.
 Photographs of garment and ornaments
will add to give the evidence.
 Field observation through photograph
will also be provided.

28. 3.7 Data Analysis Techniques
 The most widely recognized analysis
of qualitative research is observer
impression. That is, researcher or
observer examine the information
decipher it through shaping an
impression and report their impression
in an organized and sometimes
quantitative form.

29. 3.7 Data Analysis Techniques
 Every interview / observation has
narrative aspects. The core activity in
narrative analysis is to formulate
stories presented by people in
different contexts and based on their
different experiences.
 Data collected through the interviews
will be analyzed qualitatively.

30. References
 Ameer, Saadullah (2002). Shumali Illaqa Jat: Eik Nazar. Nadir Printers, Gilgit.
 Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research Design: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Incorporated.
 Dani, Ahmad Hassan. (1989). Northern Areas of Pakistan. Islamabad: National
Institute of Historical and Cultural Research. p. 414.
 Dani, Ahmad Hassan (2001). History of Northern Areas of Pakistan up to 2000
A.D. Sang-e-meel Publication, Lahore.
 Endreson, R. T. (1998). History, Folk lore and Culture of Gilgit Baltistan. Oxford
University Press, London.
 Erwin, M.D., Kinchen. L.A., & Peters.K.A. (1979). Clothing for Moderns. New York.
Macmillan.
 Frembegen, J. (1964). Ethnographical Field-Research on the History of the
Northern Areas. Oxford University Press, London.
 Gay LR. Educationa Research, ninth edition. Student Book Company, New Dehli,
India.
 Grant McCracken, Culture and consumption: A Theoretical account of the
structure and movement of the cultural meaning of consumer goods, Journal
of Consumer Research
Vol. 13, No. 1 (Jun., 1986), pp. 71-84 Published by: The University of Chicago
Press

31. References
 Ameer, Saadullah (2002). Shumali Illaqa Jat: Eik Nazar. Nadir Printers, Gilgit.
 Genna Reeves-DeArmond, Jennifer Paff Ogle, and Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr.
Clothing and Textiles Research Journal July 2011 29: 216-231, first
published on August 19, 2011
 G.M. Mir, “Future of Gilgit and Baltistan”, Daily Nawai Waqt, Rawalpindi, October
19, 1982.
 Hilali, Wahid Beig (1995). Hikayat-e-Baltistan. Baltistan Book Depot, Skardu.
 Hussainabadi, Yousaf (2003). Tareekh-e-Baltistan. Baltistan Book depot, Skardu.
 Kefgen, M. & Specht, P. T. (1981). Individuality in clothing selection and Personal
Appearance; A Guide for consumer. (3rd ed). New York: Macmillan.
 Kefgen, M. & Specht, P. T. (1986). Individuality in clothing selection and Personal
Appearance. U.S.A.
 Malik, Iftikhar (2008). Arz-e-Shumal Ka Manzar Nama. Habib Publishers, Gilgit.
 Manlow, V.(2007). Designing Clothes: Culture and Organization of the Fashion
Industry. New Brunswick. USA; Transaction.

32. THANK YOU