Symposium Celebrates Cultural Encyclopedia of Dard Tribe in Gurez

Gurez, Dec 31: A symposium celebrating the success of the cultural encyclopaedia “Journey Through Gurez and Ladakh” by Dr. Suheel Rasool Mir was held at the Dak Bungalow auditorium, Gurez, on Tuesday.

The event was Organized by the Civil Society of Gurez with an aim to highlight the socio-historic significance of the Shina tribe and the evolving cultural landscape of the Dard community.

The book, a first-of-its-kind cultural encyclopedia of the Dard tribe, delves into the tribe’s traditions, social structure, economy, food habits, and the geography of the Gurez Valley, Kargil, and Leh-Ladakh.

Dr. Mir, in his keynote address, emphasized the rapid changes affecting the age-old customs and traditions of the Dard tribe. “This work revisits the Dard tribe through socio-cultural and anthropological perspectives to raise awareness about the tribe’s legacy and preserve its history for future generations,” he stated.

The event featured book reviews by scholars Ab Hamid Khan and Tahir Mohuddin Magary, who praised the encyclopedia as an essential resource for understanding the Shina tribe’s heritage. Suhail Shaheen Lone, in his welcome address, described the book as a “model for youngsters interested in exploring the tribe’s history.” Shahnawaz Samoon, who moderated the program, highlighted the importance of preserving the tribe’s transforming culture.

The symposium was attended by the Gurez Tehsil administration, members of the Shina cultural staff, civil society representatives, and students. Awards of appreciation were presented by the Army Unit Dawar to contributors, including Bashir of Teero, ZEPO Zaffar Iqbal, and the Dramatic Club of Wampora, for their roles in promoting Shina culture.

The event concluded with a call to celebrate the tribe’s rich legacy and inspire the younger generation to revisit their heritage through works like Dr. Mir’s encyclopedia.