By Nisar Mahmood

PESHAWAR: A book on Chitral that has hit the stalls can be helpful in providing guidance to those interested in knowing about the scenic valley, its people, culture and traditions.

Basically a travelogue, the book titled ‘Chitral Chitral Hay’ (Chitral is Chitral), depicts the landscape, culture, history, infrastructure and lifestyle of the people as well as famous and important towns of the Chitral — the biggest district of the NWFP in terms of area as it makes up 30 per cent of the total area of the province.

Prof Dr Zahoor Ahmad Awan, chairman of Gandhara Hindko Board, Dr Inayatullah Faizi of Government Degree College, Chitral, Salma Awan, principal of Lahore Garrison Grammar School, Nasir Ali Syed, Shah Hussain Gatvi, Saleem Safi and Haroonur Rehman, son of the author, have commented on the publication.

In the 200-page publication, the author late Prof Abdur Rahman has minutely touched the centauries-old traditions, unique way of life of the people including the minority Kalash people, scenic and historical places, socio-economic conditions, health, educational facilities and above all the folk tales and superstitions related to area.

Born in Chakdara town of Dir Lower district and a college teacher by profession, Prof Abdur Rahman had emotional attachment with Chitral and would regularly attend Kalash festivals. A lecturer in chemistry at the Government Degree College, Timergara, he died on November 25, 2008 before the publication of the book. His son Haroonur Rehman, however, materialised his dream of getting the book published. It is based on the wealth of information he had collected on Chitral.

Divided into 11 chapters, the collection has rare photographs, vocabulary of Chitrali, Nuristani and Kalash languages, educational, literary and social and tourist importance, Buddha culture impact on the area, local culture and traditions, known festivals and historical places.

Besides other basic information about the valley, the tales about Kalash seasonal festivals, the oldest traditions like marriages, burials, dance, foods, and locals’ belief in superstition are worth reading and interesting. The publication priced Rs270 is available in the market and can be of help to those in search of information about the Chitral Valley, important towns, its people and their way of life.—The News