カラーシャの谷
March was a bit depressed month. Thankful to say, when April has started, things are changed better aspect for me. Three good happenings approached me at the same time in this month.
First one, I was invited to “Dinner in homage to the Kalasha Culture-Islamabad” host by Brazilian Ambassador, Claudio Lins, unexpectedly.
Mr. & Mrs. Brazilian Ambassador visited Rumbur in March escorted by Quaizi Azam, manager of Hindukush Hights, who is my Kalasha relative from Rumbur. Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador asked me to show my original crafts. Unfortunately I had very limited stock, didn’t have popular crafts like “Goat embroidery coaster” at that time. Instead I showed my pictorial book “Kalasha” which Mr. Ambassador was pleased to purchase.
←photo: Mr. and Mrs. Brazilian Ambassador stood at the stairs of my house.
After a few days I got a call from Mr. Ambassador who ordered two more my “Kalasha” books, one would be gifted to Mr. Ambassador of Japan and quickly he paid for those through Quidi Azam. I was so happy to sell three copies of my book which is recent main income but sadly to say not selling well due to less foreign tourists in the valley.
When April had just started I received Mr. Ambassador’s invitation above. At first I thought I would not attend it because going to Islamabad is a long journey by passenger bus, quite hustle. I found out Rakhmat Wali, a genius disabled Kalasha sculptor who can use only one hand for marvelous works and Iqbal, administrator for local government, were also invited so that we would go together. Moreover Mr. Ambassador kindly offered to accommodate us at his residence. So I willingly accepted to attend the gathering.
→photo : Rakhmat Wali is so independent who does most of things by himself except getting on and down the vehicle.
Besides there were three more Kalasha invited, Syed Gul, the first educated Kalasha woman currently works as a director of Chitral Museum, Aklam Husein, a director of Kalasha dura Museum in Bumboret valley, and Wazir Zara, a first Kalasha member of provincial government.
After 13 hours bus ride we three arrived G9 bus terminal in Islamabad where the car sent by the Ambassador took us to his residence. inspite of late night, 10:30 pm or so, the Ambassador was waiting for us. Said Guy and Aklam Husain who arrived in the morning were also waiting for us. The Ambassador served us food which is so nice because we didn’t take lunch and dinner during bus journey.
Even Mr. Ambassador prepared Japanese food, Teriyaki rice, miso soup, and Sake! Specially for me which was exciting and too touching Ambassador’s caring. (2 days after he prepared Sushi to me which I shared with Iqbal and Wali and they unexpectedly really loved them.) With Ambassador we, five of us, talked and chatted until 12:15 am and stayed at different gorgeous rooms.
←photo: At third evening we had "Sushi" and "Sake"
Next day, 12th Apr., after breakfast Mr. Ambassador kindly offered to Rakhmat Wali for having a view of Islamabad from the Malgalla hill where Rakhmat Wali never been before. We, Iqbal, Aqlam Husain and me also accompanied with him. Rakhmat Wali was so happy to see the view from Malgalla hill. He was also interested in wood carving souvenir selling in front of the restaurant at the top of hill. Most wood carving were not as good as Rakhmat Wali made, although he was keen to look the things if he never seen before and will try to make by himself in future. After we went to the zoo due to Rakhmat Wali wanted to see the real animals. He saw elephant, lion and bear etc. with fun.
Taking lunch at the Ambassador’s residence, I went to Timmy’s house with Aklam Husain and Sayed Gul to pick copies of my book “Kalasha” and the TV for Kiran Library which was donated by Timmy’s sister who lives in US.（I will write about this topic later when we set it at the Library of Akiko’s House) On the way back A. Husein and S. Gul had some shopping so that we came back to the residence one hour before the event. Writing my sign and putting the discount price seal on the copies of my book and changing my clothes, the time had come, 7:00 pm for Dinner gathering.
Although chief guest, Mr.Zulfiqar Bukhari, special assistant to the Prime Minister on overseas Pakistanis and human resources development, couldn’t attend, the dinner gathering was held in a large scale. There are several persons whom I knew as Mr. Isphaniyar Bhandara, previous MNA for minority, Captain Siraj Ulmulk and his wife, Ghazala, owner of Hindukush Heights in Chitral and Mastuj, Ms. Nageen Hayat, director of Nomad Gallery, Mr. Rao from PPAF. Also I could meet first time Mr. Yusuke Shindo, Minister of Japanese Embassy, Mr, and Mrs. Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Spanish Ambassador and many important persons from UN and Government.
Begin with welcome address by Mr. Brazilian Ambassadorwho had carefully explained about us from the Kalasha valleys, then Sayed Gul had represented with her documentery video.
Then Rakhmat Wali spoke a message that “In Pakistan corruption is everywhere. Having 1 brain, 2 hands and 2 legs, why Pakistani people don’t use them to work properly. I have only 1hand and 1 brain to use but I work hard to gain some money.” Rakhmat Wali has also good heart to donate 40,000 Rs for the Dam which Imran Khan has been appealing.
After him I had to present 10 minutes speech which I thought not enough to explain about what I have been working in Rumbur. In Japan when asking lecture/speech about the Kalasha and my activities, I usually give a slide show with many photos. Speech in 10 minutes I didn’t know what to do, so gave an impromptu speech such as;
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When I first visited the Kalasha valley, people were very open and nice, though their life seemed hard which needed to improve conditions of hygiene, education, health and also needed small income.
Recent situation in the Kalasha valley, After 30 years, things are much changed. Economical situation has improved to purchase the materials for showy Kalasha clothes, mobile and smart phone, many houses have TV, and drink family size bottle of soft drinks, and children eat chips and sweets daily.
30 years ago there are only three children attending school in Brun village in Bumboret where their population was over 350, now 80~90 % of the children go to primary school. Many are studying in the colleges and even in the universities. I feel now the time young generation to take over gradually from my voluntary work on Kalasha society.
Just one thing what I really consider and care is environmental matters. Deforestation is a big issue which I have been worrying very much, although being a woman it is beyond my work to walk around the forest mountain to check. Besides I’m very concerning about the problem of plastic waste. In old days it was quite dirty in the valley which the people weren’t care so much for cleaning but not so many plastic wastes. In recent years these plastic wastes have appeared rapidly in the village, along the road and the riverside.
I found out that the school children accelerate this phenomenon because they eat chips and biscuits for lunch buying at the shops nearby school. So I suggested the Government to provide simple but healthy lunch to all school children in Rumbur for one year pilot project, instead there are many unnecessary projects approved in the valleys. I hope government will consider it seriously and implement my plan.
Also at our Kiran Library down stairs in my house, I do motivate the people and children by showing short films concerning plastic waste, unhealthy soft drinks, along with Kalasha cultural videos I had produced in the past. Luckily my friends offered large flat-screen TV for our Library, so I can connect from my laptop to TV to show the films and videos I saved.
I’ve been working on original handcrafts which preserve Kalasha traditional skill but good quality, practicability and easy to carry for the tourists. There are many shops in Bumboret selling Kalasha goods, but most of them are not well finishing. Our crafts are very strong for daily use for many years. However, the problem concerning craft activity is to keep capable women to work. Avoiding to disturb their own daily life, I ask them to work only 2 hours for me. However there are many hurdles of their customs, as women have to go menstruation house monthly otherwise nursing little baby, or prohibit to touch color thread during mourning etc. that prevents women to work stably.
However, I won’t to give up this craft activity along with hand made paper making until handing over to the next generation.
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Mentioned above are what I wanted to speak though lack of preparation I could express maybe 30%, sorry to say, which was all my fault.
The buffet dinner was held in the big garden of Mr. president’s residence prepared by prestige hotel. I couldn’t go around each table to greet the attendees which was bit regrettable, because I thought I have to stay one place to show my book and some crafts I brought.
In any case, it was marvelous evening. I must acknowledge the kindness and all efforts Mr. Ambassador Claudio Line has done on this event for the Kalasha.
On 14th, we visited Kalasha relatives who live in Islamabad for work and study.
Also good to see Mr. Anil Ajmal working for Mr. Ispanyar Bhandara.
