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Homepage of Razwal Kohistani Lesser known Shin, Yashkun, Kamin, Gabara, Chilis and Marooch tribes of Indus Kohistan [Location] [Area and Population] [Religious sects] [Political Perspective] [Languages of Indus Kohistan] [Traditional Institutions] [Jirga System] [Shin tribes] [Yashkun Tribes] [Chilis and Gabara Tribes] [Kamin Tribes] [Other Casts and branches] [Land tenure system] [Forest tenure system] [Crop Land Tenure System] [Kinship system] [Marriage customs] [Transhumance] [Life in Kohistan] [Folk Tales] |
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The Religious sects It becomes known from the old ruins found in Kohistan and Chilas that art and magic began in this territory during the middle of Stone Age. The local folk attributions to the moon, the sun, fire and snake and the evidence of their worship, the taboos about rains, the local concept of "Rui" (bitch) and "Ra:Chi" (the protector), the local belief of moon eclipse, significance of ibex and "Markhor", certain tenets and taboos related to a few trees, the folk view of the universe, erection of particular type of epitaphs at their tombs (the epitaphs resembling to the heads of horses and birds), and numerous other customs in ancient times and before Islam. Long ago, such temples existed in Besham where people worshipped fire. During the last twenty five years or so, people have given up the customs such as burning fire for seven days on a fresh gave locally called "Juma RaChon" (Watching for Friday) It is evident from the statement of a Chinese tourist, Fah-hien (490-515 A.D) and also from certain inscriptions that Buddhism has been very popular in this land. There was a huge temple in Darel where people from China and Tibet came to worship. Buddhism was already on the decline after Fahiyan's time, when Hwang Swang (631-642 A.D) was passing through these places. In Shatial and Dassu, inscriptions of Maharaja Ashok are also found which reflect that Ashok had been going through here. Similarly, the ruins found in Khandia are the proofs of Hinduism and the Hindu rule in this region. Buddhism was Eliminated during the invasions of the Huns. Hinduism replaced Buddhism. During this era, the Şiņ tribes in the north began to indulge in feudalism as is seen in the history of Gurez and Gilgit.
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Shina Research Forum Karakorum Himalayas
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