Baltistan is a mountainous region in northern Pakistan bordering China. It has a population of 300,000 people and covers an area of 27,400 square kilometers. The culture of Baltistan has been influenced by Central Asia, Tibet, and India. The capital and largest city is Skardu, located at an elevation of 7,250 feet. Baltistan has geostrategic importance due to its location bordering China. The landscape is dominated by mountains and the Baltoro Glacier is one of the largest outside of the polar regions. Local culture is expressed through traditional music, dances, festivals, and cuisine.

1. BALTISTAN

2. INTRODUCTION
• Northern Pakistan , bordering
Xinjiang Region of China
• Total Population: 300,000
• Area: 27400 Km2
• Language: Balti
• Tibetan King Control in 7th
Century
• Islam Was First Introduced in
16th Century
• became part of Pakistan of
their own free will in 1948
• China

3. GEOGRAPHY
• Baltistan is often called “little
Tibet”.
• Baltistan is a mass of lofty
mountains
• In north Baltoro Glacier, the
largest out of the arctic
regions, 35 miles (56 km) long,
• The capital, Skardu, a
scattered collection of houses,
7,250 ft (2,210 m) above the
sea

4. IMPORTANCE
• 29th august 2009
Pakistan announced that
the northern areas are a
new province of
Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan.
• High touristic value.
• Highly valued for its
strategic geo-political
location.

5.  Culture of Baltistan is influenced by Central Asian, Tibetan
and Indian civilizations.
 Absence of a written script in the last several centuries has
led to loss of different cultural aspects.
 Whatever is available today is part of the oral traditions
transmitted from generation to generation.
 Baltistan is home to a number of diversified cultures, ethnic
groups, languages and various backgrounds.

6.  Baltistan region, which in its amazing history has been known
by various names, has one of the unique geographical
composition on the globe.
 Baltistan is like a paradise for
mountaineers, trekkers and anglers.
 Baltistan is proud of her thousands of years of rich civilization,
architecture, costumes, Foods, festivals, dances, language,
script.

7. Traditional music has heavy influence from Central Asia, Tibet
and India.
Dancers wear long robes called Gonchas, Shoka and Choga
and dance in groups
Old Man Dance
This dance is performed by more than one man wear some
old style dresses and wear local hat and dance
Sword Dance
This unique dance is performed by men taking one sword in
right and Shield in left. One to six participants as pair can
dance.

8. DAKHON-KAREE DANCE (BALTISTAN)

9. GROUP DANCE (BALTISTAN)

10. DANCE OF THE MARKHOOR
(BALTISTAN)

11. Instruments used in Baltistan are, Dadang (drum), Damal and
Surnai while some other instruments like Sitar, Gabi(flut) Rabab
and duff represent the different areas. Beside these khling-boo,
chang, porgho-too etc instruments are used in Baltistan region.
.

12. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

13. SUNA
DAANG
DOLKI
BALTISTAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

14. Jashne-e-Navroz,
 Jashn-e-Baharan
 Jashn-e-Ghanchee
 Cultural festivals.
• RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
Eid – ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-azha is celebrated by all
inhabitants of Baltistan.
Shia and NoorBakhshis celebrate Eid-e-Ghadir and
other relegious events.

15.  Majority of the inhabitants are Muslims belonging
to different communities of interpretations i.e.
Sunnies, Shias and NoorBakshis.
 For religious practices Sunnies go to Masjid, Shias
go to Imam Baraand Noorbakhshis go to Khankaah.

16. Foods of Baltistan Region

17. Foods of Baltistan Region
Kiseer
Hrsapkhoor

18. Foods of Baltistan Region
NAMKEEN CHEA
RGEARATEE - ROTI ZANGKHOOR

19. Foods of Baltistan Region
MARZAAN
PRAAPOO

20. Foods of Baltistan Region
BANGYAS BALAY
ROTI +
DARSAMIK

21. Foods of Baltistan Region
PHEAKH-TAPH

22. Historical places
 A mosque was built by Amir -e- Kabir Syed Ali Hamdani
in the 14th Century AD.it is located in SHIGAR VALLEY.
 The architectural design of the mosque is unique and
presents the true picture of ancient Islamic art.

23. Historical places
•The original Shigar Fort Palace (known as Fong-
Khar, which in the local Balti language means,
"Palace on the Rock"), was built by Hassan Khan,
the 20th ruler of the Amacha Dynasty, in the
early 17th century.

24. Wedding Ceremonay:-
Marriage is believed to be a very vital part of the culture
and traditions of the people of Baltistan.
The marriage ceremony of Baltistan is very simple.
Dowery is totally absent in the tradition of there marriage
…
if a father wants to give something as a gift for his daughter
it is appreciated but it is not MUST to give dowery to the
bride..

25. Wedding Ceremonay:-
•The idea behind the absence of dowry is that girl
are must educated by their parents and almost 60%
of girls are well educated in recent years so
education is preferred the most as compared to
other needs and luxuries
•The suitable and favorable season for marriage in
Baltistan is in the month of JUNE,JULY and AUGUST
because these are the months when there is warm
weather and people and students on their summer
vacations enjoy wedding of their nears ones.

26. Games & Sports
Since old time many traditional games were played In
Baltistan including:
POLO: Game of kings
It is assumed in baltistan Polo came from a balti word Tra
polo
Tra means horse in balti and polo means round shape thing
According to a legend it was origanated in Gilgit Baltistan and
spread to far flung places
For example China, Central asia and India
It is played in its orignal unique style all around gilgit baltistan
without fouls
Polo stick is called BINTOOK in balti

27. Games & Sports

28. Historical Equipment of Baltistan
CHANG-RKEAL
Made of animal
leather, used for
storage.

29. Historical Equipment of Baltistan
Local Weaving
machine.
CHARA – A locally KAAR – locally
weaved Rug. weaved

30. Historical Equipment of Baltistan
Locally produced
pottery.

31. Historical Equipment of Baltistan
RDOZANG – Local
pottery made of
stone.

32. Old Houses of Baltistan
An old house.

33. Historical Equipment of Baltistan
Gor Gor – It is used for mixing of different
solutions.

34. Historical Equipment of Baltistan
A man having a CHORONG on his back
mainly used for agricultural purpose.