Introduction: The Torwali Language According to the online database of the languages spoken in the world, The Ethnologue (Simons, & Fennig, 2018), there are currently around 7,097 languages spoken in the world. Linguists predict that by the end of this century, more than half of these languages will be extinct, resulting in the loss of…
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The Torwali language is said to have originated from the pre-Muslim Dardic communities of Pakistan (Viaro & Inam-ur-Rahim, 2002). The people who speak the language are called Torwalik or Torwal (Grierson, 1929). The area where Torwali is spoken is also known as Torwal by other Dardic communities like Gawri and Kohsitani. In Torwali folk literature, the entire…
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The area where Torwali is spoken is also known as Torwal by other Dardic communities like Gawri and Kohsitani. In Torwali folk literature, the entire area is referred to Tu:aal (Torwal); for example, in this Torwali couplet: Du zar Tu:aal hu shid egi Saidu si Bachaa, Thamurd Jaen Chi Dherina wa ni hi yi Panah” (Torwali,…
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This was the current initiative carried out by IBT with the indigenous communities of Chitral, Gilgit Baltistan, Indus Kohistan, Swat and Dir where these communities negotiate pluralism and find out strategies and knowledge as how to address the challenges of potential for conflicts based on culture or faith. 1. https://www.dawn.com/news/1407766 2. https://www.dawn.com/news/1413183 3. https://wemountains.com/05/17/666/
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In early 2011, in Islamabad, IBT arranged a seminar with 25 language communities of northern Pakistan wherein challenges and threats to these languages were discussed and highlighted. The seminar was the first of its kind in Pakistan. In the aftermath of the seminar we now witness such discourse in mainstream Pakistan.
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This conference was the complementary approach of IBT which has been striving for the integration and cohesion of these indigenous communities for the larger goal of human development, dignity and prosperity of these communities. In this conference representatives of 18 indigenous communities of northern Pakistan participated. At the end of the day they agreed to…
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IBT has consistently been advocating for the conservation and protection of the forests and water. It has formed village committees for the protection of forests. IBT also campaigned for the conservation of the Daral River that is threatened because of a Hydropower Project by the government on it. IBT advocated for a redesign in the…
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In 2011 IBT held a 03-day indigenous culture festival in Bahrain so as to provide some entertainment to the war stricken people of the area; and to promote peace through cultural revival. The festival was attended by more than 9,000 people. It has also rejuvenated the abandoned traditional games and dances. https://tribune.com.pk/story/194056/celebrating-swat-kohistans-indigenous-culture/
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This initiative was implemented in the districts Hunza, Gilgit and Ghizer. Under this program folk music classes were started at six schools in locations as far as Shimshal and Chapursan. Indigenous musical instruments such as Sitaar, Pamiri Rabab and Ghijak were distributed in the six schools. Six music teachers were trained and deployed at the…
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Music is integral to language development and human psychology. IBT also works on promoting and reviving the indigenous music of endangered languages. IBT produced a DVD of six Torwali classic songs and distributed it among the people free of cost. Since then the local music and poetry in Torwali witnessed a new boost.
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