Last of the Wakhi Shepherdesses: A Vanishing Legacy in Pakistan.
For generations, the Wakhi shepherdesses of Pakistan braved treacherous mountain paths, herding their flocks to sustain their community. Their earnings transformed lives, funding healthcare, education, and even a road connecting their valley to the world. Now, with only seven shepherdesses left, BBC 100 Women embarked on one of their final journeys.
The challenging ascent to Pamir, at 5,000m above sea level, unveils lush pastures and a fading way of life. The elderly shepherdesses, once a vibrant group, are now a dwindling few. The perilous journey, once taken by dozens, now sees only a resilient seven.
Annar, 88, reminisces about the past when thermal jackets and shoes were unheard of. She recalls becoming the first woman in the valley with a pair of shoes, a novelty borrowed for weddings. The once-pitched black nights were spent warding off predators on rooftops.
Yet, adversity forged success. The shepherdesses became thriving businesswomen, trading goods for huts and houses. They played a pivotal role in funding the road out of Shimshal valley, transforming lives and connecting the community to the world.
The legacy lives on in their children pursuing diverse paths – from tourism to education. However, with the Pamir pastures no longer viable, the shepherdesses, now in their twilight years, express both pride in their children’s success and a poignant sadness for the end of an era.
As the shepherdesses face the fading of their treasured way of life, their story stands as a testament to resilience, transformation, and the inevitable march of time.
Source: BBC (credits to BBC for the original content)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67510670