{"id":28322,"date":"2017-09-18T10:23:30","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T09:23:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/?post_type=project&p=28322"},"modified":"2017-11-01T23:20:28","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T22:20:28","slug":"the-last-wakhi-shepherdesses","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/project\/the-last-wakhi-shepherdesses\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last Wakhi Shepherdesses"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Couv” background_color=”#3a3a3a” custom_padding=”100px||400px|” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160729_pk-shimshal-31.jpg” parallax=”on”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|||” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.6)” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” animation_style=”fade”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”36px” header_font=”Merriweather||||” header_font_size=”60px” inline_fonts=”Comfortaa,Judson,Lato Light,Roboto Light,Merriweather”]<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Last\u00a0Wakhi Shepherdesses<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px” inline_fonts=”Comfortaa,Judson,Lato Light,Roboto Light,Merriweather”]<\/p>\n

Nestled in the mountains of Karakorum in Northern Pakistan, the Wakhi minority who resides here is proud of a unique women-led tradition.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”17px”]<\/p>\n

by Camille Delbos<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160729_pk-shimshal-31.jpg”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”The Last Wakhi Shepherdesses” subhead=”by Camille Delbos” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ title_font=”Merriweather||||” title_font_size=”60px” content_font_size=”20px” subhead_line_height=”3em” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)”]<\/p>\n

Nestled in the mountains of Karakorum in Northern Pakistan, the Wakhi minority who resides here is proud of a unique women-led tradition.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_css_main_element=”||||style.css?ver=3.0.72:15||.et-dropcap {|| font-size: 85px;|| float: left;|| display: block;|| margin: 0 7px 0 0;|| line-height: 0.7;||}”] S<\/span>himshal is a deeply enclaved village in a remote valley of Northern Pakistan, with no easy connection to other valleys except by mountain trails. Until the relatively new connexion to the KKH (Karakorum Highway<\/a>), Shimshalis were pretty much self-sufficient and the products of the altitude pasture formed the major source of Shimshal food supplies both for consumption or selling. Still today, it\u2019s an important source of subsistence.<\/p>\n

Each year in springtime le village changes to the rhythm of \u201ckuch\u201d, i.e. the transhumance, up to the mountain pastures. At the feet of +6000 meter high mountains stands the Pamir plateau, the high altitude meadow of Shimshal where lakes sparkle on the Central Asian watershed.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ transparent_background=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” background_color=”#353535″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eric Shipton\u200a” job_title=”Explorer” company_name=”Blank on the map\u200a\u2014\u200a1938″ use_background_color=”off” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Bitter||||” body_font_size=”22px” inline_fonts=”Lato Light,Raleway Light,Source Sans Pro,Walter Turncoat”]<\/p>\n

“I sat a long time on the crest of he pass, caught up in the magic of the view.\u00a0Below the pass on the other side was a great blue lake, a square mile or more in area. Beside this was an extensive plain known as Maidan Abdullah Khan.”<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”350px||350px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160730_pk-shimshal-130.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0Abdullah Maidan prairie, the pamir plateau of Shimshal in the Karakorum Range<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160726_pk_shimshal-163.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”||0px|” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”]<\/p>\n

ABOVE: Two villagers going up come across a shepherd and his donkeys, back from food supplying the summer village.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

In springtime, a handful of women lead several thousand yaks, sheep and goats and settle an ephemeral hamlet over 4600 meters high.<\/p>\n

Five miles away with the most basic comfort, isolated from a three-day walk from the nearest village.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eric Shipton\u200a” job_title=”Explorer” company_name=”Blank on the map\u200a\u2014\u200a1938″ background_color=”rgba(102,102,102,0.09)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Bitter||||” body_font_size=”22px” inline_fonts=”Lato Light,Raleway Light,Source Sans Pro,Walter Turncoat”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe community of Shimshal is remarkable for its isolation and independence of support from the outside world. From any direction their country is difficult to access.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”||900px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160727_pk_shimshal-64.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0A strenuous path cut into cliffs connects Shimshal village to the Pamir plateau<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”|||” custom_margin=”|||0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-116.jpg” sticky=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0Over one thousand sheep, goats and yaks are coming back to the summer village after a day in the pasture<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In a setting that feels like the end of the world, the days flow monotonously by, punctuated by leading the cattle, milking and the tedious making of traditional cheese and yak\u2019s butter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eric Shipton\u200a” job_title=”Explorer” company_name=”Blank on the map\u200a\u2014\u200a1938″ background_color=”rgba(102,102,102,0.09)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Bitter||||” body_font_size=”22px” inline_fonts=”Lato Light,Raleway Light,Source Sans Pro,Walter Turncoat”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThey grow barley, wheat, and peas, the flour of which, with cheese, butter and curd is their staple food.”<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”350px||350px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160730_pk-shimshal-183.jpg” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_margin=”|||” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:Inayat is about to boil this milk for the next 12 hours. She uses dried yaks cowpats as there is no wood at the altitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

This territory of women is the definition of harshness. In inclement weather conditions, subject to the whims of the sun, wind and snow, shepherdesses take care of over one thousand cattle; sheep, goats and yaks. From all ages, alone or with their young kids, women relentlessly work in this inhospitable environment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eric Shipton\u200a” job_title=”Explorer” company_name=”Blank on the map\u200a\u2014\u200a1938″ background_color=”rgba(102,102,102,0.09)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Bitter||||” body_font_size=”22px” inline_fonts=”Lato Light,Raleway Light,Source Sans Pro,Walter Turncoat”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe children worked until long after nightfall, settling the disputes and attending the bleating complaints of the sheep.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”|||” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-616.jpg” sticky=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” animation_style=”fade” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-620.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”|||” animation_style=”fade” max_width=”395px” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0(Up-Left) A Wakhi shepherdess with her kid in her hut | (Up-Right) Milking clothing\u200a\u2014\u200aThe modern world seems not that far, but still not very accessible<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”||900px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160729_pk-shimshal-31.jpg” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0A shepherdess milks her cattle<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

Here, almost not distraction. Paying visits to other shepherdesses, chatting and the once in the season, Woolio<\/em>, which is a faith-based festival that celebrates yaks, the emblematic animals of Pamir.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-516.jpg” sticky=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|||” custom_margin=”0px|||” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:<\/span>\u00a0Yak riders are running back to the summer village during Woolio.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

For Woolio, a local meal called \u201cchamurk\u201d is prepared out of shreds of slim wheat bread mixed with yak butter. The custom is to drink rock-salted milk tea to warm oneself up. Recently, refined sugar tends to replace it.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eric Shipton\u200a” job_title=”Explorer” company_name=”Blank on the map\u200a\u2014\u200a1938″ background_color=”rgba(102,102,102,0.09)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Bitter||||” body_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”40px|||” inline_fonts=”Lato Light,Raleway Light,Source Sans Pro,Walter Turncoat”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have no tea, sugar or tobacco, and they do not grow many vegetable. They weave all that necessary to clothes themselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”||900px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-327.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0Chamurk, a local meal, and rock-salted milk tea eaten for Woolio<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

A few villagers come specifically to gather during Woolio and even a threatening weather won\u2019t stop men and women from singing and dancing.<\/p>\n

Among forty shepherd\u2019s huts, in summer 2016 only seventeen were occupied. The gradual desertion results from the development of education, the aging of the shepherdesses and few replacements.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row custom_width_percent=”100%” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”|||” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ make_fullwidth=”on” make_equal=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-568.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-144.jpg” sticky=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE: (Left)\u00a0Villagers singing and dancing during Woolio | (Right) The desertion of the summer village<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

Shepherdesses, aged between 20 to 65 years old, don\u2019t seem to think about whether or not they will be here next season. Inayat Bakht, 21 years old shares her doubts: \u201cIf I get married by then, I\u2019m not sure to return. Many men live outside of the valley now. \u201c<\/p>\n

Nar Begum, 65, sighs and looks away…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon=”off” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Crimson Text||||” body_font_size=”40px” custom_padding=”||0px|” animation_style=”fade” inline_fonts=”Bevan”]<\/p>\n

Some of my friends don\u2019t have a good health enough to come, others are just gone forever. As for me, God knows!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160730_pk-shimshal-214.jpg” sticky=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:<\/span> Pok Doman (left) and Nar Begum (right) are among the oldest shepherdesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whatever the weather conditions, every day sheep and goats are milked in the same pen. Shepherdesses have to process quickly before the darkness and cold arrives.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Eric Shipton\u200a” job_title=”Explorer” company_name=”Blank on the map\u200a\u2014\u200a1938″ background_color=”rgba(102,102,102,0.09)” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”right” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ body_font=”Bitter||||” body_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”40px|||” inline_fonts=”Lato Light,Raleway Light,Source Sans Pro,Walter Turncoat”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe huge pens were filled to overflowing with sheeps and goats. We watched some infants supervising with extraordinary skills the herding of the enormous flocks.\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”350px||350px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160729_pk-shimshal-99.jpg” parallax=”on” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:Milking time\u200a\u2014\u200aShepherdesses are looking for their cattle<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

The sun-dried cheese, the qurut<\/em>, represents the local way to put the abundant milk to good use. It offers an additional source of income, along with the sale of livestock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160730_pk-shimshal-198.jpg” sticky=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160730_pk-shimshal-208.jpg” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE: (Left)\u00a0Inayat dries a thick paste made out of boiled milk on the flat roof of her hut | (Right) Fresh qurut and sun-dried qurut<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

The Shimshal valley was connected to the Karakorum Highway (road link between China and Pakistan) by a vehicle track in the early 2000s after some 18 years of construction, facilitating access to major cities and higher education. The desire of Wakhis for education led young people\u200a\u2014\u200agirls and boys\u200a\u2014\u200ato leave for cities, initially for studies and then employment.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image sticky=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_color=”rgba(25,25,25,0.1)” background_repeat_1=”no-repeat” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-676.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”||0px|” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_left_1=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:\u00a0Before leaving, young men paying a visit during Woolio play cricket on a 4500m high improvised ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n

The austerity of the transhumance is little incentive itself. The younger generation tends to prefer the comfort of classrooms and social recognition of a future office life. But most of all, through education they yearn to bring positive change in their communities.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”||900px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160728_pk_shimshal-768.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:<\/span> Shepherdesses, aged between 20 to 65 years old, and a few men sit outside the Jamaat Khana, the place of gathering and prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font=”||||” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”NaNpx|||”]<\/p>\n

Faced with these changes, the end of this singular feminine pastoralism seems inevitable. The shepherdesses of Pamir are conscious of living the last years of a beautifully harsh tradition, conscious of being the custodians of an ancestral knowledge. For the best and the worst.<\/p>\n

Owing to the high altitude, landlocked valleys and harsh winters, the climate change and globalisation are not without effect on these populations. However until now, the preserved landscape and its aesthetics speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”||800px|” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/09\/20160802_pk-shimshal-137.jpg” animation_style=”fade”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.72″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″]<\/p>\n

ABOVE:<\/span> View from a 5300m high pass in the Karakorum Mountains<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font=”||||” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”NaNpx|||”]<\/p>\n

The Wakhi are an ethnic group of \u00b125k people present around the Wakhan Corridor in Northeastern Afghanistan, Chitral and Gojal District in Northern Pakistan, the Wakhan valley in Southeastern Tajikistan and the Xinjiang in Northwest China.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tireless traveler, Eric Shipton, visited all the mountains of the world and became a specialist in the Himalayas and Central Asia. We borrowed some extract from his 1937 expedition memoirs in the Karakorum Mountains, \u201cBlank on the Map\u201d to complete what we experienced. At the time, the area has never been surveyed, it was, literally… a blank spot on the map.<\/em><\/p>\n

Words by Esra Tat<\/a>\u00a0\u2022 Photos by\u00a0Camille Delbos<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_2=”60px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”60px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_divider color=”#666666″ show_divider=”on” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/06\/20160804_pk_shimshal-134.jpg” background_position=”bottom_center”][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_margin=”|||” make_equal=”on” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.22)” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”You Liked The Story ? Contribute” background_layout=”dark” _builder_version=”3.0.72″ text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Last\u00a0Wakhi Shepherdesses Nestled in the mountains of Karakorum in Northern Pakistan, the Wakhi minority who resides here is proud of a unique women-led tradition. by Camille Delbos Nestled in the mountains of Karakorum in Northern Pakistan, the Wakhi minority who resides here is proud of a unique women-led tradition. S<\/span>himshal is a deeply enclaved village […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28402,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"project_category":[2326,2328],"project_tag":[2330,2332,2334],"class_list":["post-28322","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","project_category-report-en","project_category-stories-en","project_tag-pakistan-en","project_tag-shepherd-en","project_tag-stories-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/28322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28322"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/28322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28604,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/28322\/revisions\/28604"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"project_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_category?post=28322"},{"taxonomy":"project_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/camilledelbos.com\/photography\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_tag?post=28322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}