Hindko and Gujari. c - SIL International

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Calinda E. Hallberg and Clare F. O’Leary
This man reported that he had read in a book that Gujars
were backward and poor, but that it is not true in his area. He
also reported having seen and read materials written in Gujari.
The significance of having written materials in Gujari is seen in
the comment of another young man from Trarkhel. He said that
Gujari has more prestige in the area than Pahari because Gujari is
written and Pahari is not.
1.7 Language Maintenance
Gujars throughout northern Pakistan, regardless of their
status, appear to take pride in their identity as Gujars and in their
history, culture and language. The primary example to the
contrary is in the Panjab where Gujars are reportedly
embarrassed to speak Gujari. It is also reported that most Gujars
who migrated to that area at partition are no longer speaking
Gujari. Scholars from the turn of the century have mentioned the
loss of the Gujari language by Panjab Gujars who have lived in
that area for many years (Bailey 1903, Grierson LSI IX). Areas
of reported language shift are in the Panjab, Mirpur, and some
villages near Muzaffarabad. In general, though, the language is
being used and well maintained in many communities throughout
the North-West Frontier Province, Azad Kashmir, and the
Northern Areas.
The general impression from the interviews in Azad
Kashmir is that in the more rural areas where Gujars are
concentrated or are in a majority, the language is being
maintained. In the western areas, however, it seems that Gujari is
being maintained even though Gujars live in more scattered
communities and are in the minority relative to the dominant
groups in those regions.
1.8 Development and Promotion of Gujari
Gujar ethnic identity is encouraged in various ways in
Pakistan. The Gujar Association based in Lahore and their
publication, The Gujar Gazette, serve to help promote and unite
Gujars as a people. Gujar men from as far away as Chitral
reported attending Gujar conventions. Gujari radio programs