The Wakhi community lives in the northern areas of Pakistan. The people in the community are Persian and belong to Tajik ancestry. The community has been isolated due to its location, even today. Eva Zu Beck, a vlogger, and a travel TV host well known for her travel for adventure became friends with a Wakhi family when visiting Pakistan. The family, who lives in the remote Gojal valley then invited the vlogger for their eldest son’s wedding.
ATTENDING A TRADITIONAL WEDDING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF PAKISTAN.
The full YouTube Vlog has just gone live on my channel, and it’s about a beautiful experience I had in the north of Pakistan that I never really shared before ❤️ 🇵🇰 Make sure you check it out – link in bio!
Over a year ago, a Wakhi family I befriended in the remote Gojal Valley invited me to attend and film their eldest son’s wedding. They took me in like their daughter, and invited me to learn about their lives, language and unique Wakhi culture.
Publishing this Vlog reminds me just how much I miss Pakistan. The year I spent there was one of the most formative years in my life, and I’m aching to come back, explore, and see my friends again ❤️
A huge thank you to the Posh family for letting me into your hearts and being a part of mine. @pervaizposh @akramposh_ @sukoonistan @hunzaface
Photos by the one and only @gojophotography, who passed away tragically earlier this year. Your smile will forever stay in my memory, Mueen
What’s Different About a Traditional Wakhi family
The adventurous vlogger takes us in the mountains to show us a glimpse of what a traditional Wakhi wedding looks like. Eva starts off her vlog showing the beautiful luscious meadows in the northern side of Pakistan. She follows a member of the family to invite guests by visiting each one of them, unlike in the city, where invites can be sent over a phone call.
Wakhi community’s wedding follows many traditions and multiple ceremonies. Back home, Beck demonstrates how families come together and prepare meals and clean sitting areas to set everything up for the guests’ arrival from the groom’s side. Animals are also slaughtered to prepare huge meals to be served at the wedding.
Traditional clothes are worn, with traditional jewelry and shoes. Simultaneously, both the bride and groom look very much traditional; they adorn traditional pieces such as the brides headpiece and the groom’s hat.
Fun fact: People gather at both bride and groom’s place to help them get ready. Once the groom is ready, he drives to the bride’s village to tie the knot. Both men and women dance on traditional numbers to celebrate the wedding.
Have a Look at this Wonderful Pakistani Wedding through Eva’s Lens:
Here are Some Facts You Should Know About Wakhi Community
1 – The Wakhi community is situated near three major mountain ranges, the Hindu Kush, the Himalaya/ Karakoram, and the Pamirs – what is called the Pamir Knot in northern Pakistan.
2 – Wakhi’s get their name from the Wakhan River that carves out the valley fed by glacier water that melts from the mountains surrounding the area.
3 – Wakhi community are mostly Ismailis and Persian Tajiks. These people follow a progressive branch of Shia Islam that shun many practices followed by Muslims. For instance, they do not fast in the month of Ramadan.
4 – The community speaks the Wakhi language – an Indo-European language of the Iranian branch of the language family.
5 – Wakhi community have their own poetry and music for special occasions.
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