PEOPLE OF HUNZA

Women Of Hunza In Traditional Dress

Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness the Aga Khan. The local language is Brushuski, Urdu and English are also understood by a number of people.

Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi (7,788 metres). The snows of Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime.

The fairy-tale like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a Hunza landmark built abut 600 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden bay windows look out over the valley. Originally, it was used as the residence of the Mirs (the title of the former rulers of Hunza).

"The Hunzas exist isolated from the rest of the world in the Himalayan Mountains where they live to be 110 to 120 years of age. They have no cancer, heart attacks or other major disorders to speak of. They are active and fit to the end of their lives. Men father children at 100 years of age and older. Overweight people are unheard of because they have the perfect weight control system."

"Hunza men are straight, tall, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, slim-waisted, heavy-legged and have full heads of hair. Hunza women are straight, tall, slim-waisted, developed bosoms, perfect complexions and luxuriant hair. Both men and women have perfect teeth and eyesight even at 100 years of age and older! They are neat, clean, intelligent and friendly and you can't find an overweight person.

Hunza women at 80 look no older than North American women of 40. Fatigue is virtually unknown. Hunza men over 90 years old repeatedly walk the mountain trail of 65 miles from the town of Gilgit with a full pack and immediately start to work in the fields again!"

The Hunzas were originally soldiers of Alexander the Great. This bread may have been designed for the use of his far traveling armies. It would make sense. It's the most compact form of hunger satisfaction and nutrition we know of. According to traces of Macedonian Heritage, this bread could have originated in Egypt over 5,000 years ago. As you know, the Egyptians were capable of doing many things that modern science cannot, even today, duplicate.

People of Hunza

As much as the valley is famous for its beauty, the people of Hunza are noted for their friendliness and hospitality. The local languages spoken are Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina, most people understand Urdu and English. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is believed to be more than 90%. Virtually every child of the new generation studies up to at least high school level. Many pursue higher studies from prestigious colleges and Universities of Pakistan and abroad.

Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Shia Muslims, followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, while in Ganish Village more than 90% are Shia Muslims. The Hunza region is home to people of three ethnicities:

The Lower Hunza area - (from Mayun to Nasirabad is mainly inhabited by the Shinaki people who are Shina speakers;
The Central Hunza area - (from Murtazaabad to Ahmed Abad) is mainly inhabited by Burushaski speakers.
The Upper Hunza area, known as Gojal - (from Shiskat to Khunjerab is mainly populated by Wakhi speakers;
The majority of the people are Ismaili Shia Muslims who are followers of the Aga Khan. The present Aga Khan IV has provided a lot of funding for the area to help with agriculture and the local economy through the Aga Khan Development Network.