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Language
Jammu and Kashmir form the major part of the state, the area of Ladakh is sparsely populated. Jammu has a majority Hindu population (60%), with substantial Muslim and Sikh minorities while the Kashmir Valley is predominantly Muslim, with small components of Hindus and Sikhs. In Ladakh, Leh is Buddhist and the people of Kargil (73%) Shia Muslim. Kashmir represents the northernmost boundaries of Islam in India, with a language originating from the Dardic branch of Aryan languages. Known as ‘Little Tibet’, the people of Ladakh are of Tibetan stock and till very recently were governed on spiritual matters by the Dalai Lama. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. Being invited to a village wedding or into somebody’s house for a hot cup of tea is not surprising. Unfortunately in recent times, the region has been racked by terrorist upsurge and there is a general air of distrust.
The languages spoken commonly in Jammu and Kashmir are Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, Pahari and Ladakhi.
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Religion
While the Kashmir valley is predominantly Muslim, Jammu has a majority of Hindus while a large percentage of Ladakhis practice Tibetan Buddhism. Apart from their majority religious denominations, all the areas have minority populations of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists.
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Food
The food of Jammu and Kashmir differs from region to region with the Hindus Dogras of Jammu being predominantly vegetarian; eat a staple diet of rice, wheat and beans. The Ladakhis eat rice, wheat, millet, locally produced vegetables and fruits, goat meat and dairy products made from yak milk. Kashmiri food is characterised by its vast array of dishes cooked over a long period of time in exotic spices. The seasons and availability of fresh produce dictates the ingredients, some of which are dried and used in the winter months. The Kashmiri cuisine is essentially meat-based while the eating habits of the Hindu and Muslim Kashmiris differ in its use of certain spices and the prohibition of beef for the Hindus.
The highlight of Kashmiri cuisine is the formal banquet called "wazawan" that includes a spread of over 36 courses cooked all night long by a team of chefs called ‘wazas’ under the supervision of a ‘Vasta waza’ or master chef, descendants of the cooks from Samarkand. The food is characterised by thick gravies using liberal quantities of yoghurt, spices and dried fruits, and is usually cooked in ghee (clarified butter) or mustard oil. Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is grown locally. It is used extensively to flavour the pulaos (rice dish) and sweets. The popular dishes include the starter yakhni, tabaq naat made of fried ribs, dum aloo (steam cooked potato curry), rogan josh made with mutton, gushtaba, a meatball curry and haleem made from meat and pounded wheat. A Kashmiri meal has to end with a cup of ‘Kahva’, green tea flavoured with cardamom and almonds.
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Culture and Crafts
Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have a multifaceted, multi religious and multiethnic culture distinct to the three areas of the state. Kashmir became the centre of Sanskrit literature during the early Indo Aryan civilisation, Persian flourished with the advent of Islam in the region opening it up to influences of Persian culture and civilisation. Ladakh developed into a centre of Buddhism with strong Tibetan influence while Jammu remained the repository of Hindu religion and its cultural impact. A long line of secular rulers amalgamated these diverse strains into a rich cultural heritage unifying all these religious, ethnic and linguistic divisions.
The Hindu Dogras revel in songs and dances with the central romantic theme of reuniting with the lover. The folk dances of Jammu include the 'Kud', a ritual dance in honour of local deities, the 'Heren' - agenre of folk theatre, the 'Fumenie' and 'Jagarana' sung by women at weddings, and ballads of Gwatri and Karak. The hill region of Kashmir has a rich tradition of music deeply influenced by Sufism. The 'Hafiz Nagma' is a genre of Sufi music performed by a female dancer along with musicians playing the saz, santoor, tabla and sitar while the 'Bhand Pather' is the popular folk theatre that usually features plays with satirical themes. The saz, santoor, sarangi, rabab and garaha are musical instruments indigenous to Jammu and Kashmir and accompany 'Chakri' folk singers.
In Ladakh, Buddhism plays a central role in the life of the people. Gompas (monasteries) are the focus of village life, acting as temples and schools as well as cultural centres. Ladakhis celebrate their marriages with a lot of singing and dancing. There are lengthy sessions of narrative interspersed with group songs and dances. The nomadic herdsmen of Zanskar perform the 'Alley Yate' while roaming with their flocks, while the 'Jabro' is performed in the regions of Chang-Thang and Rong.
Kashmir is a repository for some of the finest craft traditions in India. Traditional craftsmen who have the skills passed from one generation to the next in a tradition that survives even today. Hand-knotted carpets in silk, wool or a combination of yarns bear floral designs and exquisite patterns with a strong Persian influence. Less expensive but equally beautiful are the woollen rugs called 'namdas' made by first pressing wool and cotton fibres manually, the rugs are then decorated with colourful chain stitch embroidery. This special chain stitch or crewelwork of Kashmir adorns wall hangings, rugs, the phiran (robe-like over-dress worn by both men and women) as well as shawls. Other handicrafts of Kashmir include papier-mâché objects painted with gold leaf and natural colours, basketry, carved wooden furniture made from the walnut wood and beaten silver and copper ware.
Kashmir gave the word ‘Cashmere’ to the lexicon of fabrics and cashmere wool products are greatly valued and much sought after. Kashmiri shawls are famed for their fine material and delicate embroidery and are made of the famous cashmere wool, the soft Pashmina wool or the priceless shahtoosh. While woollen shawls are valued for their embroidery known as sozni, the shahtoosh is so fine that it can pass through a finger ring. Made from the hair of the ibex that lives on rocky terrain at heights of 14,000 feet, the Pashmina wool is sometimes combined with wool or rabbit fur to make shawls. The shahtoosh comes from thewool of the chiru antelope found exclusively in the highlands of Ladakh above 5,000 metres. Fine down beneath the throat of the antelope is gathered for the wool, which is extremely expensive and shawls made of it are treated like heirlooms. The India government has recently imposed a ban on the trade in shahtoosh, due to a dwindling population of the rare antelope.
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