GILGIT: The ancient Shaman (Deyal) festival was celebrated with traditional zeal in Bagrot valley of Gilgit here on Sunday, near the Rakaposhi Mountain.

Shaman, a particular type of person the locals believe acts as an intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds to get knowledge about human beings, and deliver the knowledge to the people. Shaman is sometimes called a medicine man, who cures diseases, explains cause of disease for a person, uses magic to cure people who are sick, and also predicts future.

This Shaman concept exists in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in rural areas of Gilgit, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore and some parts of Baltistan division.

Qasim Shah, a local, said hundreds of shamans still performed in various parts of GB, shared their knowledge, experience, talents and rituals with others.

The festival was organized by Dobani Development Organisation in collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department.

The aim of organising the festival is to recall the role of Shaman and his performance in the mountainous society.

A large number of people, including youngsters and officials of GB tourism department, attended the festival.

When the Shaman entered the arena dressed up in traditional attire, the participants welcomed him with clapping and making a special sound.

Amid traditional music, Shaman ate a special grass at the ceremony and started dancing on the music and singing songs, which is considered a dialogue of Shaman with supernatural beings.

There was silence during the time Shaman’s performance went on. Then Shaman shared his dialogue with supernatural beings and told people about their future and problems and predicted their future situations. As per the tradition, a newly-wed couple was received at the function amid traditional music. The chief guest of the festival was GB Deputy Director Tourism Yasir Hussain.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2017