Wakhi people

Wakhi people

Ethnic group
group= Wakhi


poptime=50,000
popplace=Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, China
langs=Wakhi
rels=Shi'ah Islam
related=Pamiri, Tajik

The Wakhi are inhabitants of Wakhan. An ethnic group consisting of speakers of the Wakhi language. Also known as Pamiri.

Population and Demographics

A very rough estimate puts the population of Wakhis at about 50,000. The population is divided among four different countries: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Xinjiang in western China. The religion of the Wakhi Tajiks is Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslim, being followers of the Aga Khan. The literacy rate among Wakhi Tajiks in the northern areas of Pakistan is about 60%.

Organizations

Wakhi Tajik Cultural Association

In Pakistan, the central organization of Wakhi Tajiks is the Wakhi Tajik Cultural Association Pakistan (WTCA), an organization that is working with the Pakistani Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Lok Virsa Pakistan. The WTCA aims to preserve the Wakhi Tajiki language and culture and to record its poetry and music. The WTCA has arranged more than twenty programmes since 1984, including cultural shows, musical nights, large-scale musical festivals with the collaboration of Lok Virsa Pakistan, Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP), and Pakistan Television. In 2000, the WTCA won a "Best Programme" organizer award in the Silk Road Festival from the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.

Media

Radio Pakistan's Gilgit station broadcasts the Wakhi radio programme "Sadoyah Boom-e Dunyo" (the Voice of the Roof of the World).

A computerized codification of Wakhi script has been released. It is hoped that this will help researchers record and document Wakhi poetry, literature and history.

References

* Shahrani, M. Nazif. (1979) "The Kirghiz and Wakhi of Afghanistan: Adaptation to Closed Frontiers and War". University of Washington Press. 1st paperback edition with new preface and epilogue (2002). ISBN 0-295-98262-4.

ee also

*www.gojal.net
*Wakhan Corridor
*Northern Areas of Pakistan
*Tajiks of China


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