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Nestled amid the snow-capped peaks and dramatic valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Hunza region is home to a centuries-old tradition that marks the dawn of the agricultural year. Known as Bafao in Burushaski and Taghm (also spelled Taγ̌m) in Wakhi, this vibrant seed-sowing festival celebrates nature’s renewal and the community’s hope for a prosperous harvest. From Ghulkin to Altit, Shimshal to other parts of Upper Hunza (Gojal), local communities come together in early spring with music, dance, ritual, and feasting to honor their agrarian heritage and welcome the season of new growth.
Historical Roots and Cultural Significance
For generations, Hunza’s people have depended on the land for sustenance, enduring long and frigid winters before the promise of spring brings fresh hope. This festival—commonly referred to as Bafao in Burushaski-speaking areas and Taghm/Taγ̌m among Wakhi-speaking communities—symbolizes:
- Renewal of Life: With the melting of snows and the thawing of fields, farmers prepare the soil for planting.
- Community Bonding: Neighbors unite to share meals, exchange blessings, and help each other sow seeds.
- Preservation of Traditions: Ancient rites and rituals are passed on to younger generations, keeping the region’s cultural tapestry vibrant and intact.
Historically, the ruling family of the Hunza State would officiate Bafao festivities each February, particularly in Altit, staying at the Altit Fort while leading the community in celebratory events. After the end of the princely state system in 1974, many of these traditions waned. In recent decades, local organizations and elders have revived the festival, recognizing it as an essential part of the region’s living heritage.
Preparing for the Festival
1. Household Purification and New Clothes
In many villages—such as Ghulkin, Shimshal, and Altit—preparations begin with thorough cleaning of homes. Women often don newly made clothes to symbolize freshness and purification. One of the customs involves fetching fresh water from an irrigation channel, used later for cooking the festival’s special dishes.
2. Cooking Semen Chapik or “Pirkitn”
A signature element of the festival is the preparation of semen chapik (in Wakhi, the process is called Pirkten). This dish is made from flour, sometimes mixed with wheat or barley, cooked into a thick porridge. Families sprinkle flour on doorways, pillars, and even on each other’s heads—a ritual blessing meant to ensure an abundant harvest and good fortune.
After this ritual sprinkling, everyone enjoys semen chapik with rugun (liquid rancid butter), considered a prized local delicacy. A portion of this dish is taken to the local jammat khana (community congregation place) where elders and men gather to offer prayers for successful sowing, growth, and harvest in the coming year.
First Day of Celebration
1. Prayers and Blessings
Community elders lead prayers, invoking blessings for the seeds that will soon be planted. This ceremony often includes the burning of juniper branches—called yarz—whose smoke is believed to purify the air and field, ensuring fertility and good weather.
2. Music, Dance, and Polo Matches
In many parts of Hunza, the afternoon is devoted to leisure and entertainment:
- Polo Matches: Polo has long been a cherished sport in Gilgit-Baltistan, and the festival offers an opportunity to watch spirited matches between local teams.
- Folk Dances and Music: Accompanied by local musicians—often the renowned Dom players—villagers dance in long lines, clapping and jumping in perfect sync. Wakhi dances are particularly famous for forming impressive rows of dancers who leap gracefully in time with the drums.
3. Sharing with the Shogunptuk Clan
In some villages, a representative clan known as shogunptuk plays a ceremonial role. Households present them with a loaf of bread and receive in return a piece of pish pish winik (a willow-like wood) and a miniature plough called stors. This tiny plough is covered with butter and a local thick stew called bat as a symbolic act of blessing and good fortune. The stors is then kept in the family home throughout the year.
Second Day: Official Seed Sowing
1. Tumang Ceremony and Shogan Ptük
The central moment of the festival is the tumang ritual, where a member of the shogan ptük clan announces the official start of cultivation. He ignites juniper leaves, allowing the aromatic smoke to drift in the direction of the fields believed to be especially fertile for that year.
2. The ‘Druksh’ (Ox) Role
A village member dresses up like an ox—called the druksh—to entertain the crowd. Amid the laughter, this individual also conveys important predictions for the agricultural season. The comedic elements keep the atmosphere joyous yet carry a serious undertone, as the community collectively prays for prosperity.
3. Children’s First Ploughing (Spunder Khak)
On a specially reserved field, small children, often two or three years old, symbolically guide a pair of oxen for the very first time. This brief but meaningful rite connects the youngest generation to their agrarian roots. The community applauds their efforts, marking a proud milestone for each child.
Revival in Altit: Bafao Returns After Decades
In Altit, the Bafao festival had gone uncelebrated for over 42 years. However, local groups like the Hunza Art and Culture Council have worked tirelessly to resurrect it, hosting two-day celebrations near the historic Altit Fort. Traditional music resounds, men and women don regional attire, and local poets recite verses praying for a fruitful wheat harvest. Even foreign tourists now travel to witness and participate in these enthralling events.
Notably, Governor Mir Gazanfar Ali Khan—the former ruler of Hunza State—attended a recent Bafao festival, praising its revival and vowing official support for continuing these cultural traditions. The planting of saplings during the festival further underscores the community’s commitment to greening the region and ensuring future sustainability.
More than a Festival: A Celebration of Life and Heritage
For residents of Gojal, Yasin, and broader Gilgit-Baltistan, Taghm/Bafao is far more than just a ritual to sow seeds. It is:
- A cultural anchor, bridging the past with the present and instilling pride in younger generations.
- A symbol of unity, where families, friends, and neighbors come together in gratitude and celebration after enduring a harsh winter.
- A reminder of ecological harmony, highlighting how deeply intertwined people’s lives are with the land and nature’s rhythms.
As the valleys of Hunza come alive each spring with laughter, dance, prayers, and the scent of fresh flour and juniper smoke, these timeless customs hold profound lessons about sustainability, community resilience, and the enduring spirit of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Why Experience Bafao/Taghm?
- Cultural Immersion: Observe centuries-old traditions, from local dishes to communal rituals.
- Scenic Beauty: Enjoy breathtaking vistas of towering peaks, turquoise rivers, and budding orchards.
- Warm Hospitality: Savor the region’s famed generosity and witness the heartfelt warmth of local communities.
- Deep Heritage: Appreciate how agricultural cycles and community identity intersect, revealing a unique cultural tapestry rarely seen elsewhere.
In essence, the Seed Sowing Festival in Hunza—whether you call it Bafao or Taghm/Taγ̌m—is a testament to resilience, gratitude, and shared hope. It pays homage to both the land that nurtures life and the communal values that sustain a way of life. For anyone yearning to experience the vibrant heart of Gilgit-Baltistan, taking part in these festivities offers an unforgettable glimpse into one of the world’s most storied mountain cultures.