Culture
Gilgit-Baltistan Celebrates Traditional Cap Day Despite Change in Date from Government
The people of the Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated 1st September as Gilgit-Baltistan Traditional Cap Day despite last minute change in the date by government. Many government and non-government organizations had directed their employees to wear traditional cap to celebrate the day. A rumor of change in date made everyone double minded either to celebrate it or not. However, many used social media to make the best out of this day. This was the first time such an event was observed.
The people of the Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated 1st September as Gilgit-Baltistan Traditional Cap Day despite a last-minute change in the date by the government. Many government and non-government organizations had directed their employees to wear the traditional cap to celebrate the day. A rumor of change in date made everyone double minded either to celebrate it or not. However, many used social media to make the best out of this day. This was the first time such an event was observed.
The announcement to observe Gilgit-Baltistan Traditional Cap Day was first made in May this year by the Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman in an official statement, however, due to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) conference being held in Gilgit, the date was moved to 1st October. The statement encouraged young people to come forward and celebrate the day with traditional zeal. The day, according to the statement, is supposed to highlight the cultural diversity of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In Hunza, the staff of Boys Degree College Aliabad was seen in traditional Hunza caps. On social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the diaspora of Gilgit-Baltistan observed the day by changing their profile pictures to one that shows themselves in a traditional cap. Girls, alongside boys, could also be seen celebrating the day enthusiastically.
The traditional cap of Gilgit-Baltistan has many variations. The cap comes in different shapes, colors, and sizes. People of some districts also use plumage as sports feathers.
Here are some posts of people celebrating the day.
Check our GBee Culture to see how people celebrated the day.
Chitral
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Chitral as part of their Royal Tour in Pakistan
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew from Islamabad to Chitral on their third day of Royal tour in Pakistan. This is the first royal tour of Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton to Pakistan.
The two were welcomed with traditional Chitrali Pakol, a traditional Chitrali cap, and Chitrali Chogha, a traditional long coat in often presented to dignitaries, at the Chitral Airport.
The royal couple had landed in Islamabad on Monday evening as part of a 5-day long royal tour in Pakistan. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a busy first day in the capital where they had a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan. Earlier, the royal couple visited Islamabad Model College for Girls, a government-run school in the capital city.
Later, the British High Commissioner for Pakistan Thomas Drew hosted a reception for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Pakistan Monument in Islamabad. The royal couple arrived at Pakistan Monument in an auto-rickshaw.
The Duke had spoken of the challenges Pakistan faces from climate change at a reception at Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.
“Tomorrow we will be seeing some of these impacts first hand and meeting some of the communities adjusting to the new realities and new challenges that climate change has brought to their towns and villages,” he said.
He further added:
“I hope to learn what more we all can do to help prevent and mitigate this impending global catastrophe.”
William and Kate are also expected to visit Gilgit-Baltistan and the historic city of Lahore as part of their royal tour.
Culture
5 Facts You Might Not Know About the Baltit Fort Hunza
You must have heard about the famous Baltit Fort of Hunza but how much do you really know about this architectural monument of historic importance? Let’s explore.
The region of Gilgit-Baltistan is not only blessed with some spectacular natural scenery but some man-made wonders also add up to the glory of this part of Pakistan. One of the prominent names that come into the mind while talking about Hunza valley is the Baltit Fort. The fort is located at an elevation
We recently visited the Baltit Fort and we have compiled a list of 5 interesting facts that might not know about the historic monument.
1. Baltit Fort is over 700 years old
The foundations of Baltit Fort were first laid some 700 years ago. Over the next couple of centuries, restoration work was carried out. The biggest one took place in the 16th century when artisans from Baltistan came to Hunza and changed the entire shape of the fort. The Ladakhi/Tibetan architecture influence of the fort comes from the same restoration period. This restoration work by Balti artisans was done as part of a dowry of a princess who got married to a prince of Hunza at that time.
2. It was home to the royal family of Hunza for centuries
Baltit Fort was not the only home to the family of Mirs – the royal rulers of Hunza. The royal family was based out of an even older Altit Fort which is located in the village of Altit at a huge elevated rock. However, a conflict resulted in one of the two brothers settling in Baltit Fort. The brother who remained in Altit Fort was killed hence Baltit Fort became the seat of the Hunza state.
For centuries, Baltit Fort remained home of the royal family of Hunza. Not only that, many festivities and important meetings were held inside specially built portions inside the fort.
Even today, festivals like Ginani are celebrated in Baltit Fort.
3. The Fort was abandoned in 1945
Baltit Fort was abandoned in the mid-1940s. The family of then Mir of Hunza moved to a newly built palace within Karimabad town. For decades, the fort remained a haunted place while it slowly turned into a ruin. During this time, a lot of important items disappeared, a number of which were never recovered.
From 1945 until the 1990s, no repair work was done in the fort which posed a threat to a possible collapse of the building.
4. It took 6 years to renovate the Baltit Fort
The fort was renovated by Aga Khan Cultural Services for Pakistan (AKCSP) and opened for public in September 1996. The restoration work of Baltit Fort took AKCSP about six years to complete with the support of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The fort was inaugurated after restoration by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and then president of Pakistan Mr. Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari.
5. Baltit Fort is now a museum
After the restoration of Baltit Fort in 1996, the fort was opened for public. It is now being managed by the Baltit Heritage Trust. An estimated 15,000 people visit the Baltit Fort every year which includes locals, domestic and foreign visitors.
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