Kashmir is known as "Heaven on Earth" due to its natural beauty. The region has diverse ethnic groups including Kashmiris, Ladakhis, Dogras, Hanjis, Gujjars, Bakarwals and Dards. Kashmiri culture has been influenced by Central Asia and Persia. The Kashmiri language and traditional clothing like the pheran distinguish the cultural identity of Kashmiris. Traditional Kashmiri cuisine includes the multi-course wazwan meal. Noon chai and kehwa are popular teas. Musical instruments like the rubab and harmonium are used in chakri music which features dance performances by girls.

1. Kashmir
By Suleman Azaz

2. KASHMIR-Heaven On Earth
 The name Kashmir is derived from two words ka (the
water) and Shimeera (to desiccate), so the word
Kashmir implies land desiccated from water.
 It is also called and known as the Heaven on
Earth because of its natural widespread beauty.

3.  Kashmiris are mainly focused in the Valley bottom. Kashmiris
immigrated mainly from Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and
Afghanistan, and settled in the valley.
 Ladakhis are a mixture of Mongoloid and Aryan races.
 Dogras occupy the outskirts of the Punjab plain
Kashmiri
Major Ethnic Groups

4. Major Ethnic Groups
 Hanjis are confined to water bodies of Kashmir; They are
mainly confined to the Dal, Wular, Anchar lakes and the
Jhelum river.
 Gujjars and Bakarwals are living and wavering in the Kandi
areas; they have nomadic character and largely depend on
flocks and cattle keeping for thier livelihood.
 Dards occupy the valley of Gurez.

5. Kashmiri Culture
 Kashmir’s culture is interlinked with its geography: cut off from
the rest of world by high mountains, it lies along the one
legendary Silk Route.
 For centuries it has consequently been open to influences
from Persia and the countries of the Central Asia.

6.  Distinct from the rest of the country, Jammu and Kashmir
shows a complex, multicolored and unique cultural blend.
 Kashmir has been the highest learning center of versatile
languages as Aryanic civilization has originated and flourished
here.
 The people of the Valley, share common ethnicity, culture,
language and customs, which is no doubt the basis of
"Kashmiriyat".
Kashmiri Culture

7. • The most important part of the cultural identity of the
Kashmiri people is the Koshur (Kashmiri language). This
language is spoken only in the Valley of Kashmir by the
Kashmiris.
• Kashmiri, popularly known as Koshur, is an Indo-Aryan
language.
Kashmiri Language

8. Kanger
 The Kangri “Kanger” is a clay pot surrounded by a willow
basket with a handle.
 In the cold months of the year, glowing embers of charocoal fill
the clay pot, and this marvel of invention is carried around
under the cloak-like Pheran.
 They have their uses in the summer months too, when lighted
charocoal required for bookah smoking is stored in them.

9. Pheran
 No jacket or blazer can compare with
the comfort or convenience of the
pheran.
 Knee-length and baggy, the sleeves are
loose enough for the arms to be pull
out into it.
 Pheran are made of tweed; dark
browns and blues being the most
favoured colors of this distinctive
Kashmiri dress.
 Every man, woman and child wears a
pheran during the cold winter months.
 Even during the rest of the year, a
sudden drop in the temperature bring
pheran out from store cupboards.

10. Pheran -Women
 Women wear a modified version
of this pheran throughout the
year. the most dignified material
for their Pheran will always
remain velvet.
 The velvet ones are freely
embroidered in real silver thread
at the throat, cuffs and edges.
 There are a few standard designs
for the embroidery, the most
lavish being stylized Chinar leaves
around the neckline.

11. Wazwan
 Wazwan is a multi-course meal in the
Kashmiri Muslim tradition.
 The preparation is traditionally done by a
vasta waza, or head chef, with the assistance
of a court of wazas, or chefs.
 The essential Wazwan dishes include:
 Marcha-wangan korma
 Sheekh kabab: spicy ground lamb on spikes
 Gushtaab: Chopped lamb with spices cooked
in oil, milk and curds
 kebab
 maach kebab

12. Kashmiri beverages
 Noon Chai or Sheer Chai
 Kashmiris are heavy tea drinkers. The word "noon" in Kashmiri language
means Salt. The most popular drink is a pinkish colored salted tea called
“noon Chai”.
 It is made with green tea, milk ,salt.
 Noon Chai or Sheer Chai is a common breakfast tea in Kashmiri households
and is taken with breads like bakerkhani brought fresh from the bakers.
 Kehwah
 At marriage feasts, festivals, and religious places, it is customary to
serve Kahwah, a green tea made with saffron, spices, and almonds or
walnuts
 Over 20 varieties of Kahwah are prepared in different households. Some
people also put milk in kahwah (half milk + half kahwah). This chai is also
known as "Maugal Chai" by some Kashmiris from the smaller villages of
Kashmir.

13. Noon Chai Kehwa
BunBakerkhani

14. Samavor
 There is no home in Kashmir that does not
have a samovar. Each family has one or
two samovars
 A samovar is a traditional Kashmiri kettle
used to brew, boil and serve tea
and kehwa.
 Kashmiri samovars are made of
copperware with engraved or embossed
calligraphic motifs. Inside a samovar there
is a fire-container in which charcoal and
live coals are placed. Around the fire-
container there is a space for water to
boil.

15. Music
 Chakri is played with musical instruments like the Harmonium, the rubab,
the sarangi and the nout. Chakri ends with the rouf,
 Rouf is shown in the pictures, it is basically the dance presented by girls