Gurez, Jul 17 (KNS): Members of the Shina-speaking communities from Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez valley and the neighbouring Drass region in Ladakh came together on Friday for a cultural gathering celebrating their shared linguistic and cultural heritage despite geographical separation over the years.
The event, held at the Gurez Camping Site, featured traditional Shina folk songs, cultural performances, storytelling and community interactions, drawing a large number of local residents.
Participants described the gathering as a reunion of people linked by a common ancestry, language and traditions rather than merely a cultural programme.
"As soon as we come to Gurez, it feels like home. We have friends and families here, and the warmth and hospitality always make our visit memorable," Asif Ali, a participant from Drass, said.
Locals said the people of Gurez and the Shina-speaking population of Drass have historically shared close social and cultural ties.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelAlthough the closure of the Kabul Gali route reduced physical interaction between the two regions, they said the bond has remained intact through their common language and traditions.
According to participants, Shina is spoken by a majority of people in both regions, making it a key symbol of their shared identity.
"Whenever we visit Drass, it feels like we are in Gurez. Our language, customs, traditions and emotions are the same. We are one family connected by our shared heritage," Gurez resident Suhail Shaheen Lone said.
The participants pledged to preserve and promote the Shina language and cultural traditions and expressed hope that such exchanges would continue to strengthen the historic relationship between the two communities.(KNS).