الحالة الاجتماعية في إقليم بلتستان (دراسة وصفية تاريخية)

THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE BALTISTAN REGION A DESCRIPTIVE HISTORICAL STUDY

Abstract

This study examines the social conditions of the Baltistan region in Pakistan, located in the far north of the country approximately 600 kilometers from Islamabad. It explores the origins of the Baltistan population, highlighting the scholarly disagreements regarding their ethnic roots, and presents population figures based on various statistical records from different historical periods. The study also reveals the dominance of the Balti language—one of the oldest Tibetan dialects—as a fundamental component of cultural identity, while addressing the debate surrounding its origin and writing system, particularly in the Ladakh region.

Furthermore, the research traces prevailing local customs and traditions, especially those related to internal and external alliances. It provides a detailed account of marriage practices, birth-related customs such as purification and circumcision, and sheds light on mourning and funeral traditions. The study also documents the vitality of social life through festivals and celebrations, such as Nowruz and Islamic holidays, as well as the popular sport of polo, which serves as one of the most important forms of recreation and social interaction. In addition, the research discusses general customs related to food and clothing, emphasizing the strength of social ties based on the extended family system and close-knit village solidarity that enable the community to withstand the harsh mountainous environment.