Overview
The Shimshal Culture
Programme has been operating for several years under the auspices
of the Gojal-wide Wakhi Tadjik Culture Association. As much of
local environmental knowledge and practice, and our "sense
of place" more generally, is interwoven with other aspects
of traditional Wakhi culture, we feel it is important to
incorporate a culture stewardship programme into our nature
stewardship programme.
Objectives
- to
re-establish indigenous Shimshali agricultural and
religious festivals
- to
collect and propagate traditional folk songs and stories
- to
record the complete genealogy of all Shimshalis from Mamu
Singh to the present
- to
enlarge and improve the Shimshal Culture Museum, already
housed in one of the village's oldest dwellings
In addition to preserving and teaching local
culture, each of these projects helps to root us in the
history of our relationships with our landscape, and
provides guidance for continuing nature stewardship.
Activities
- documentation
and recording of history, genealogy, events, customs,
folk tales, songs and plays
- practicing
and demonstrating Shimshali culture at the local,
national, and international level
- linking
with other cultural and linguistic groups
Ten Year Work Plan
Phase I
(1994-98):
- record
Shimshal's history
- establish
cultural museum
- re-establish
festivals
- publish
and use indigenous Shimshali calendar
- demonstrate
local songs, dances, plays and dramas at the local and
national level
Phase II
(1999-2003):
- renovate
oldest dwellings and Farman Khana
- publish
Shimshali folk songs, tales, and history
- organize
an international grand cultural show
Phase III
(2003-2008):
- construct
an historical and cultural museum
- institute
Pamir yak racing and polo
Sponsorship
Individuals, Pakistani and
international universities, NGOs and government organisations,
other interested parties.
Monitoring
Aga Khan Cultural Services, WATCA, Lok Versa, Shimshal Nature Trust.
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