Skip to main content

Mulberries and the tradition of Maroch Tick

Mulberries hold a special place in the heart of the GB communities, carrying deep historical significance. Every mountain person cherishes childhood memories connected to these luscious fruits. Before the introduction of cherries, mulberries were the first to ripen, typically in May/June. The ancient connection between Mulberries and the Harvest season has endured, and to this day, GBians joyfully celebrates the Maroch Tick festival, signifying the start of the mulberry harvest.

In times gone by, when food was scarce in Hunza and other mountain regions until the 1980s, mulberries, along with other seasonal fruits, were vital sustenance for the people. Their longevity and strength can be attributed, in part, to the nourishing power of these fruits. Imagine the sight of hardworking individuals relishing mulberries or other seasonal delights during their midday meals, fueling them for their daily endeavors.

The memories of childhood in Hunza are colored with the sweetness of mulberries, and it's an unforgettable moment when, after 15 years, you finally savor the taste of fresh mulberries once again. The enduring tradition of celebrating mulberries as a symbol of abundance and harvest continues to bind the community together, fostering a strong sense of unity and appreciation for the bountiful gifts of nature.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrating Nowruz: A Glimpse into Hunza's Rich Traditions

  In history, Nawruz emerges as a tale of resilience and joy. Originating over three millennia ago in ancient Persia, Nawruz, meaning "New Day," paints a picture of fresh beginnings and vibrant celebrations. With its roots deep in the soil of Zoroastrianism, Nawruz blossoms with the arrival of spring, embracing the earth's renewal and marking the start of a new year in the Persian calendar.  Across epochs and empires, Nawruz embarked on a journey, crossing borders and transcending time to spread its warmth and cheer to distant lands. Nestled amidst the breathtaking peaks of the Karakoram Range, the valleys of Hunza became a new canvas for Nawruz's colorful traditions, blending with local customs and infusing the region with an air of festivity and unity. In the captivating valleys of Hunza, a timeless celebration unfolds with the arrival of Nawruz. Here, among the rugged peaks and lush meadows, traditions are as woven into daily life as threads in a cherished tapestry...

Berckuzh/Chap-schuro

  Ingredients 1.     Beef/mutton/chicken minced ½ kg 2.     Onion 4 medium size 3.     Red crushed chili 1 tea spoon 4.     Salt to taste 5.     Green chili 2 6.     Coriander 7.     Black pepper 2 pinches 8.     Plain flour ¾ kg 9.     Water 10.   Cooking oil 2 table spoon Preparation for dough: Take a deep large bowl and put flour in it. Put salt to taste and two table spoon of cooking oil. Pour a cup of water and knit to make dough. Add more water if required. Knead the dough for 15 minutes. Keep the dough aside. Preparation for the filling:   Pre heat a pan and pour a teaspoon of cooking oil. Add meat in it and stir fry for 5 minutes in case of mutton or beef and 2 minutes if you are making the filling of chicken. Add Black pepper, red crushed pepper and salt too. Put the mixture in a bowl. Take 4 onions and chopped them and add to the...

Buula - The game of High Landers

Here, today I’m sharing some glimpses of the past and present of the adventurous and most popular galloping horse sport of Gilgit Baltistan — BUULA comonly known as polo. It may give an impression that this great adventurous sport, Polo, belongs to the British or some developed country since they have some of the greatest players. But no, it never belonged to them; it’s our own sport — a game of the highlanders of Central Asia. A game played by great rulers like Alexander the Great during his rule in Persia, the Persian rulers, and the Delhi Sultans. Historians say its origin dates back to the 6th century BC, but it may be much older than that. Initially, it was designed to train troops for war against enemies, but later people adopted it as a sport of leisure, and today it is an Olympic sport. In Gilgit-Baltistan, it has been the most favorite sport of the royal families and the general public of different regions prior to the amalgamation of Gilgit-Baltistan with Pakistan when there ...