MUNSHIYARI – SHAUKA TRIBE (BHOTIA)
At an altitude of 2200 mtrs, in the hilly state of Uttarakhand – Munshiyari, is popularly known as “Little Kashmir” which dates back to the ancient Silk Route used for trade with Tibet and China. You travel through Johar Valley and follow the route by the side of Gori Ganga River and up to the Milam Glacier, being the source of the river.
This place had been best kept secret and only bird-watchers would venture here.
This place is home to different nomadic tribes living here since last few centuries. The two most significant clan who have cemented their presence are Shauka and Barpatia tribes.
Historically, Munshiyari acts as a base camp for three major Glaciers – Milam, Ralam, and Namik. The Namik Glacier gives birth to the Ram Ganga River and is about 40 Kms away and surrounded by other giant peaks like Nanda Devi, Nand Kot, and Trishul, and is at a height of 3600m.
Betuli Dhar Forest, Sarmoli Village and Kalamuni Top are the ideal places to spot specific birds here.
Few of them are:
Snow Partridge, Himalayan Monal, Snowy Browed Flycatcher, Red Headed Bullfinch, Bearded Vulture, White-Throated Tit, Grey Bellied Tesia, Robin Accentor, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Woodcock, Hill Partridge, Spotted Laughing Thrush, Rose Finch, Green-tailed Sunbird, Satyr Tragopan, Chestnut Crowned Warbler, Great Crested Tit, Great Throated Parrotbill, Black Throated Parrotbill, Pied Thrush, Fire Breasted Flycatcher, Himalayan Cutia
Tourism here have increased and there is a gradual improvement of the socio-economic situation of the people living here. The government is doing a lot in providing better infrastructure for tourism to prosper.
SHAUKA TRIBE – A BRIEF
SHAUKA COMMUNICATION LANGUAGE
The Shaukas mostly speak in Byangshi language, is a Tibeto Burmese origin and the Shaukas tribe generally speak in this language. Having settled in this Kumaon district over centuries their language has greatly been influenced by Sanskrit and now they write in Devnagari script. Hindi being the official language, so most people have adapted to this dialect.
The Shuaka people ardently follow the Hindu religion. Goddess Nanda Devi is worshipped profoundly. The Kumauni’s strongly believe that the Goddess lives in the Nanda Devi Mountain, at a height of 25,645 feet tall, being the highest peak in Uttarakhand.
BARPATIA TRIBE also known as NAGA’s OF MUNSHIYARI
The Barpatia tribe came from Central Asia and are from the Khasa clan, and who were a powerful race – a warrior clan who have migrated to various areas from Kashmir to Nepal, claimed to be to be the original settlers in this valley.
The ‘Shaukas’ are an ethnonym of the Kumaon Bhotiyas, and especially of the Johari region which is surrounded by 22 villages, mostly inhabited by the Bhotiyas. Over a period of time the Barpatia tribe were relegated to a backward status.
More than 6000 Barpatias are living in Munshiyari Sub Division. This tribe have been given the Schedule Tribe status in 1967.
FESTIVALS OF THE SHAUKA TRIBE
Nanda Devi is epitomised as supreme power in the entire Himalayas. In the month of August on the Ashtami Day the Goddess and Deity Nanda Devi is worshipped with reverence. They dance and sing while offering Puja, It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the middle of September. Here the devotees offer puja to the deity and try to please her by dancing and singing. Offering Bramhakamal (locally called Kaul Kamphu) is also part of the ritual.
The Shaukas are a close-knit community and have still held on to their cultural festivals, customs, values and ceremonies in spite of many changes over the years and modernisation. Some of the dance forms they still practice is Jhora, Chhapelli and Cholia. Jhora is a very popular dance form in the Kumaon region and is performed in the Spring season and in a circular form reigning in and breaking the caste barriers and celebrating together.
The Cholia dance is over a thousand years old dance form and depicts the martial arts tradition of the people of Kumaon region. They adorn the warrior like dress and engage in mock sword fights.
HURKIYAS OF MUNSHIYARI
The affluent Shaukas of Munshiyari and adjoining areas, during their cultural ceremonies and celebrations employ the lesser known, small community of ‘Hurkiyas’ in Uttarakhand who play a Drum’ like musical instrument. This ‘Drum’ is known as Hurka’ and from here these people were known as Hurkiyas. The men entertain during these ceremonies and the women folk dance to the beats of this peculiar instrument.
The Hurkiya community is a small endogamous community and are divided in terms of religious beliefs – some believe in the Hindu religion and some in the Muslim religion.
HANDICRAFTS IN MUNSIARI
The Shauka women folk have been hard working and have mastered the skills of a unique style of Carpet making and is a cottage industry. In Johar valley, they still follow the age-old method of using the Looms.
The women folk’s hand-woven woollen carpets, pashmina shawls, blankets made of sheep and rabbit wool are very unique and warm and very famous. These are now a days mostly exported!
Different types of wooden artifacts are also made.