Portrait of a Wakhi man |
| Total population |
|---|
| 100,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, China |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Ismaili Islam |
The Wakhi people, or Khik (called Guhjali in upper Hunza), are an ethnic group originating in the Wakhan of today's Afghanistan. They also live in adjacent areas of Tajikistan and Xinjiang and in Pakistan (in Chitral District and Gojal).[1][2] They speak the Wakhi language.
Contents |
A very rough estimate puts the population of Wakhis at about 100,000. The population is divided among four different countries: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Xinjiang in western China. In China and Afghanistan the Wakhi are officially recognized as "Tajiks", while in Tajikistan Wakhi are recognized by the state as Tajiks but also self-identify as Pamiris. The religion of Wakhis is Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslim, being followers of the Aga Khan.[3]
In Pakistan, the central organization of Wakhis is the Wakhi Tajik Culture Association Pakistan (WCA), an organization that is working with the Pakistani Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Lok Virsa Pakistan. The WCA aims to preserve the Wakhi language and culture and to record its poetry and music. The WCA has arranged more than twenty programmes since 1984, including cultural shows, musical nights, large-scale musical festivals with the collaboration of Lok Virsa Pakistan, Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP), and Pakistan Television. In 2000, the WCA won a "Best Programme" organizer award in the Silk Road Festival from the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.
Radio Pakistan's Gilgit station broadcasts the Wakhi radio programme "Sadoyah Boom-e Dunyo" (the Voice of the Roof of the World).
A computerized codification of Wakhi script has been released. It is hoped that this will help researchers record and document Wakhi poetry, literature and history.