CHITRAL, Feb 26:  The rich and unique cultural heritage of Chitral is threatened by the fast social change and needs to be properly preserved, say experts of local cultural organisations.

Talking to this correspondent here on Sunday, they said that in a population of about half a million there were over a dozen ethnic groups, who spoke many languages, practiced different ways of life adding to Chitral’s cultural diversity, but jelling as a complete cultural entity.

Referring to major components of local culture, Dr Inayatullah Faizi, former president of Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Khowar, said that Chitral had distinct arts and crafts, traditional costumes, food and beverages, games, music, dance, folksongs and legendary and the primitive Kalash tribe.

Quoting the study of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) about the local culture, he said that some components of the heritage were quite unique in nature that included architecture, costumes, folksongs and folklores while Kalash were known throughout the world as primitive people.

“Chitral`s artisans are known for a wide range of delicately crafted jewellery, woodwork, embroidery and woven and knitted textiles,” he said.

He noted that the use of traditional Chitrali cap (khapol) and overcoat (chugha) and the typical Chitrali shoes (khon) was on decline.

Mr Faizi said that some of the local foods and beverages had also lost their popularity among the new generation.

He said that polo and falconry remained very popular among the people besides dozens of other folk games, but these were either diminishing or being replaced by new games.

The Chitrali music and dance, he said, were yet another components of the culture aided by many indigenous  musical instruments that the new generation was shunning.

Durdan Khan, coordinator of a local organisation, said that hectic efforts were needed to keep the new generation updated about the essence of their culture.

He said that even the Kalash tribe, known to be culture-conscious, had lost a number of their cultural traits.

Mr Khan said that regular cultural programmes should be held in Chitral to regenerate both the material and immaterial components of the local culture.