Boroghil Festival 2014 will be
remembered for a long time by the residents of Boroghil Valley. Not because it
was the first festival in the area but of course due to the exposure it offered
to the residents of the area, the media coverage it received and the number of
organizations (both Governmental and Non-Governmental) that participated in the
festival in one way or the other.
Boroghil Festival 2014 started on
August 22nd on a sunny Friday at an elevation of 11,000 feet at
Ishkarwz Boroghil and ended on 24th of August. People from nearby
areas such as zhopo Yarkhoon and far flung areas such as Chitral Town had
already started flowing in, even a day before on 21st of August.
Chitral Scouts had also been busy in making arrangements for their guests
(officials) and preparing schedules for different teams, days before 22nd
August. As the local people said that the festival needs to be arranged in July
due to a variety of reasons such as weather condition, availability of leisure
time to local residents and good condition of roads. However, this time the
weather was better than expected. Yet some people were busy with rearing to
their livestock in high pastures,collecting fodder for the cattle and peats for
fuel. The local residents who came to the festival location were seemed talking
passionately about the festival, their teams, the new road that is going to be
built, and the Yak and Horses they had brought with them.
During the festival, games such
as Yak Race &Yak Polo, Horse Race & Polo, Donkey Race & Donkey
Polo, Football, Cricket, Volley ball and Buzkashi were palyed. I guess each
game provided some entertainment to the spectators; however, the Buzkashi was
mismanaged. It seemed like the rules were not followed as such and there was a
bit of rush to end the game. On the final day, 24th of August, Para
troopers also exhibited their skills with great courage and landed safely on
the ground having big round of applause from the spectators. Based on the
thrill of the players, interest of local as well as non-local people, it is
predictable that in future polo is going to be one of the most awaited games of
the festival. This time a polo team from Ishqamen (Gilgit) also participated
and in future it is expected that more will join. Yak Race might also be an
element of fun for non-local people and other domestic tourists. Donkey polo
was a game of passion for the youth of the area as it was seen that the donkey
polo team players, who took part enthusiastically in the game were aged 15-18.
In the festival area there were
hotels that provided food to the visitors on affordable prices. Mutton, Rice, Yak
meat, Yak Milk and cream, beverages such as tea cold drinks, etc were
available. Camping facilities were also available on rent that included tour
guides, tents, sleeping bags etc. Small tuck shops were also opened by local
people where sweets, chocolates, biscuits, etc were sold. Horses were available
on rent if someone wanted to avail the opportunity of horse riding including
visit to areas such as Chilmarabad, Garil, Lashkargaz or even the magnificent Qurumbur
at an altitutde of 14,421 feet. Besides these services, local “Wakhi” music was
also played by a group of some young people surrounded by non-local people.
Pipe (Belu) and Daff were the major instruments used with the music. The wakhi
music being in a language very different from Khowar gives a different sound to
the ear of the audience.
The nights were kept warm by the
activities of musical groups especially. Small groups of tourists had brought
their own musical instruments from areas such as Booni, Kuragh, Chapali Mastuj,
Yarkhoon etc who played and danced till late nights. The glowing tents looked
very beautiful in the dark. Chitrali Dhol music was also performed by Chitral
Scouts near the Chitral Scouts post at nights.
A very long narrative of the
festival could be easily built mentioning details of the festival. However,
apart from all that mentioned above, it is important to refer that Govt
Organizations such as TCKP, Pak Army, Chitral Scouts, District Govt
representatives and non-governmental organizations such as AKRSP, CIADP, AKHS,
SRSP and PUNAR LSO took part in the festival to make it more important. It is
expected that the number and interest of Govt departments and NGOs will
increase and they would work together to uplift the area economically and
socially. Due to the tough conditions of the area, the local people face a lot
of challenges. The main issues faced by the area include livelihood challenges,
accessibility, harsh winters, lack of transport (there is not a single vehicle
in the area and people travel to Yarkhoon Lasht on foot or on horses to travel
down district), health issues, opium addiction etc to name a few.
Last not the least, if Boroghil
Festival is made a calendar event by the Govt and given its due attention, a
day will come that it will be as famous as Shandur Festival. Or even more!
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| A view through my tent window :) |
