People of Kashmir : Kashmiris
Kashmir is called the Heaven on earth and is incredibly beautiful
because of its lakes, valleys and mountain ranges. People over here,
are very simple, with multi-coloured cultures. Kashmiri women are
very famous for their beauty with their rosy pink complexion. People
belong to different regions and different religions like: Islam,
Hindu, Buddhism and many more. Mainly the languages spoken here are
English, Hindi and Urdu..
Kashmiris are rich in their tradition and have the wealth of ancient
literature, language, arts, and crafts, music, and Kashmiri folk
dances. Among the popular Kashmiri dances they perform, few of them
are ‘Hafiza’ dance, performed during marriage ceremonies; ‘Bacha
Nagma’ performed during harvest season, ‘Roul, Dogri’ etc.
Kashmiri costumes are somewhat different than others. Kashmiris
prefer embroidered clothes. Mainly ‘Pheran’ and ‘Poots’ are worn by
Kashmiri women, it consists of two gowns, one on top of the other.
In case of Hindu woman it falls to the feet and in case of Muslim
woman it is worn up to the knees. Other costumes include a white
turban tied on skull cap, a close-fitting salwar and lace less shoes
called ‘Gurgabi’. Hindu men wear ‘churidar’ pyjama while Muslim men
wear salwar and skull caps.
Kashmiri women love to wear jewellery at their headgear, ears,
necks, and arms. Ornament which pleases Kashmiri hindu women is ‘Dejharoo’.
Most women wear bunches of ear rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Kashmiri people mainly survive on their Agriculture business. Mainly
Rice, Indian corn, Wheat, Barley, Oats, Asparagus, Artichoke and
many more crops are grown here. Rice is the main food of the people.
Another important business is Art & Crafts business. Embroidery of
Kashmir is called ‘Kasida’. As Kashmiri people are very good at
knitting, they have very good market for hand-embroidered ‘Pashmina’
shawls, hand woven silk carpets, rugs, kurtas, pottery and much more
woven stuff. Last but not the least; very important business is
Tourism business. Main attractions of Kashmir are Shrinagar, Gulmarg,
Pahalgam, Amarnathji Yatra, Sonamarg, Vaishnav devi Mandir, Ladakh.
Festivals celebrated by people in Kashmir include, Raksha Bandhan;
on this day Hindu girls tie rakhi to their brothers and give
blessings to them. Janamashtami is the festival of Lord Krishna.
Vaitha – Vatur – Truvah is also a Hindu festival and which is
celebrated in honour of Jhelum River. Muharram is the festival of
Kashmiri Muslims. Birthday of GuruNanak, is the festival of Sikhs,
Shivratri, Dussehra, Basant Panchami and many more festivals are
celebrated over here.
Generally Kashmiri food is spicy with the use of Cinnamon, cardamom,
cloves and saffron etc. Both types of people are there, vegetarian
and non- vegetarian. Most people are non- vegetarian. Most
preferable vegetarian dishes include ‘Dum-aloo’ and ‘Chaman’ and
non-vegetarian dishes include Rista (meat balls), Sikh Kababs, Rogan
josh, Yakhani and mainly Wazawan (Wedding/party food – big course
food). Mutton, chicken or fish are very common Kashmiri meals. The
daily delicacies of Kashmiris involve vegetables and meat in the
same dish. More over lamb and goat’s meat form a part of many
dishes.
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