Diversity of dialects in Immit Written By: Hafiza Ali

Diversity of dialects in Immit

Written By: Hafiza Ali


When British were ruling in Gilgit Baltistan, They selected Mir Ali Mardan shah as a Governor. He was a former ruler of Wakhan corridor, Later on migrated towards Chitral and established kinship with the royal family. Ruling family of Chitral offered her son-in-law Immit valley as booty for him in 1892. Mardan shah ruled in this valley till 1924. Unfortunately this ruler passed away while visiting toward Gilgit for the sake of ruling affairs. His funeral ceremony did not observed at Immit his corpse sent to Afghanistan and Mir Baz khan who another well fame selected as a new governor. He ruled for more than ten year, from 1924-1934. Later on he went to Yasin for the better ruler ship, in his vacated position Hussain Ali khan has been appointed as a new governor of Immit. He ruled on Immit from 1934 to 1938 and during that period he established a government school, before of that there was no any school. After the death of Hussain Ali sultan murad khan came as a new governor. He ruled over here from 1938 to 1951. After his death Sultan Gazi khan became the new governor and Shah Faqir was wazer till 1972.

During this up and down Education has not been neglected, during the ruling period of Sultan Gazi from 1954 to 1966 Diamond Jubilee school was also opened for girls as it was a progressive step. The period of 1940 was adverse because there were no health facilities available. And people because of adverse situation people became conscious about the health issues. In 1966 government hospital was opened. And then the spiritual leader, established a hospital named as Aga Khan Health Centre. Where everyone still got facilitated despite of race, color, creed and sect. the last governor Sultan Gazi khan was a great Artist and Art lover and philanthrop, he allowed different emigrants to stay at Immit. Now there were a sound diversity because of emigrants, gradually this diversity came into large and large. The major prominent feature of Immit valley is that there are nine various dialects are speaking among the 296 houses and about 3500 population. These dialects are Shina, wakhi, Khowar, Burushaski, Gujri, Pashtu, Turkey, khelic and Persian.
Wakhi is a major primary language of Immit, majority of people speaking Wakhi. The word Wakhi is derived from Wakhan, the name of Badakhshan province. Wakhan is considered to be the original homeland of the Wakhi people and language. Wakhi speakers are considered to be the shepherd which is the source of their livelihood. Where ever they found suitable unoccupied land, they settled.

Shina is also primary language before Wakhi, when Wakhi governor came here they migrated to proper Ishkoman. Shina is the second major language of Immit. According to the history shina speakers were came from Kashmir during the time of partition of Pakistan.

Khowar is the combination of two words Kho” which means the people of Chitral and war” means language. Khowar is the most popular and favorite language of Immit. When two different language speakers meet they speak Khowar language. In short it is common medium of interaction in Immit. Khowar emigrants were migrated from Chitral towards Immit during the reign sultan Gazi khan.
Pashto speakers are also present in Immit. Pasto speakers were migrated to Immit for the sake of business purpose, at early time when they came to Immit they were the very poor but now a day they are the top richest people of Immit because of their successful business.
Burushaski is the language which was spoken in Immit but now this language is counted in endangered language of Immit. Marriages ties from other region somehow make this possible for again survival of this language.

Persian is that language which was spoken in Immit but now a day this is disappearing from Immit only one family is remain in Immit which speak Persian. The origin of this language is still unknown.
Turkish and khelic people also came over here during the governance of sultan Gazi, He alert his property to them. The origin of these languages is also still unknown. They migrated to Immit because of political issues in their region but they don’t about their linguistic origin.
The unique feature of this diversity is that now everyone happily live in this greenery region along with the high greenish mountain following fresh water through the village. The main reason behind their corporative harmony is that their acceptance of each other despite of their origin, race, sect, color, and creed. Initially the emigrants have their own culture and tradition but with the passage of time, now a day the whole culture of Immit is looks like the amalgamation of the discrete culture of the emigrants creates a unique feature.  Now almost every settlers of Immit valley can speak and understand the whole nine dialects. So diversity is the power not a weakness of any person, region, and culture this gives a sense of harmony, displine, friendliness, security and strengthens. The present glorious presentation of this valley literally gives a message of their believe in concept of pluralism, which make them exemplary settlers among the other entire region where diversity also exists but for destruction, conflict, and violence and not for love, happiness, and progress. This humanize valley really gives us a lesson through its unique presences.