Brusho

Burusho people

A group of Burusho women in the Hunza Valley
Total population
87,000 (2000)
Regions with significant populations
Chitral District, Hunza (Pakistan) Hari Parbat, Jammu and Kashmir (India)
Languages
Burushaski, Khowar
Religion
Ismaili Islam, historically Shamanism

Chitral District, Hunza (Pakistan)

The Burusho or Brusho, also known as the Hunza people or Botraj, live in Hunza, Nagar, Chitral, and in valleys of Gilgit–Baltistan in northern Pakistan, as well as in Jammu and Kashmir, India. All of them are Ismaili Muslims, while also preserving their ethnic traditions. Their language, Burushaski, has been classified as a language isolate. Although their origins are unknown, it is likely that the Burusho people "were indigenous to northwestern India and were pushed into their present homeland by the movements of the Indo-Aryans", who migrated to the subcontinent in 1800 B.C.

The historical area of Hunza and present northern Pakistan, has, over the centuries, had mass migrations, conflicts and resettling of tribes and ethnicities, of which the Dardic Shina race is the most prominent in regional history. People of the region have for centuries recounted their historical traditions down the generations. Historic Hunza hosts four major yet genealogically diverse clans that trace their paterlineal ancestry (according to historical tradition) to varying ethnics groups. The Khurukutz are said to be related to the communities now settled in the Gojal-Pamir border region. The Buroong are said to have migrated up from the Indus region. Diramiting and Barataling trace their roots to the Balkan/east European ethnic diaspora. Besides clans, Burusho society is divided into classes, including the Thamo royals; the Wazir family governing the state; Trangfa and Akabirting village leaders; Bare and Sis combat fighters; Baldakuyos carriers; and Bericho musicians. An offshoot of Bericho migrated to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hunza people are predominantly Shia Muslims of the Nizari Ismaili tradition.

Hunzakuts and the Hunza region have relatively high literacy compared to most other districts in Pakistan. Hunza is a major tourist attraction in Pakistan, and many domestic and foreign tourists travel there to enjoy its stunning mountain landscape. The district has many modern amenities and is quite advanced by Asian standards. Local legend states that Hunza may have been associated with the lost kingdom of Shangri-La.