PAMIRS

roof of the world in Tajikistan

By Kim Lau

Tajik is a general designation for a wide range of Persian-speaking people of Iranian origin, and the Pamiris are an Iranian ethnic group in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of eastern Tajikistan, extending to the Badakhshan province of northern Afghanistan, the Chitral and Gilgit Baltistanstan regions of northern Pakistan. Pamiris are Ismaili muslims, and Zoroastrian elements are clearly manifested through their architectures. Pamiri has sharp features; they are very good looking. This story starts from the capital of Tajikistan in Dushanbe, into the capital of Gorno Badakhshan at Khorugh, following the Pamir Highway and exiting to Osh in Kyrgyzstan.

DUSHANBE

Dushanbe means Monday, the capital of Tajikistan. One of the most scenic capital of Central Asian nations, The city is based on a single road, and a very relaxed feel.

ROAD TO KHORUGH

From Dushanbe, a traveller needs to head to Khorugh, capital of Gorno Badakhshan, and from there into the into the Pamirs.

KHORUGH

Khorugh is the capital of the Gorna-Badakhshan, a gateway into the Pamirs. The city was heavily supported by Arga Khan foundation, very organzied, green and impressive.

PAMIRI WOMEN & girls

Pamiri women in front of thier house in Garam Chashma area. Friendly and beautiful. These Pamiri girls are really pretty. Pamiri are Indo-Iranian people, and Tajik refers to Persian speaking people.

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PAMIRI FAMILY & long house at SHODARA VALLEY

We gave a lift to a Pamiri men, got a lot more in return! This is their family‘s portrait.

Pamiri are Ismaili muslims. They incorporated Zoroastrian elements into the design of a house. Featured here is the skylight window of four concentric squares, symbolising the four elements of Zoroastrian : earth, water, air and fire.

ISKHASHIM BAZAR

Ishkhashim is the border crossing between Tajikistan and Afghanistan in the Wakhan Valley. The market here is crossed border serving both sides.

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ROAD FROM ISHKHASHIM

ROAD FROM ISHKHASHIMA : boy and his dog down the road from Ishkhashim.

PAMIRI SHEPERD : A shepherd in the Wakhan Valley

PAMIRI SHRINE : Sheep horns are sacred, and Ismaili shrine houses it under the skylight with window of four concentric squares which are Zoroastrian symbols of earth, water, air and fire.

ZAROASTRAIN FORTRESS WAKHAN VALLEY

Zamr-i-Atish-Parast means Fortress of the Fire-worshippers. It is a Zoroastrian bastion dating 3rd BCE, An approaching storm with the mighty Hindu Kush range (Pakistan) in the background

PAMIRI FARMER FAMILY

Farming at the roof of the world is a challenging task. Potatoes is a staple here. I am always impressed by the looks of the Pamiris, they could be easily mistaken for Europeans.