www.chitraltimes.com

 
Good bye Jashn-e- Shiphoshon

Though modern age of science and technology shrunk the globe and made life easy but at the same time its fire back is conspicuous and irritable. Age old traditions are likely to vanish, while new complex social and economic dynamics is in its full swing. But there are still few people who are trying to revitalize and rejuvenate the age old traditions which have been going to be extinct. Shahzada SikanderUlmulk and Sultan e Rom is prominent among them. A step to revitalize the Shiphishon Festival is the corollary of this endeavor which has been materialized after a nerve tiring struggle. Shahzada Sikander [53] and Sultan e Rom lal[ 65] has set the example to the young generation _ a true love of culture which represents the mind set of people of certain locality

A two days[ 3-4] Jashne Shiphishon ended with the pledge that the next year it would be celebrated with great enthusiasm and zest Tehsil Nazim Shahzada SikanderUlmulk said at the end of the festival. The history of Jashne shiphoshon [at the Booni top] goes back to the state rule over Chitral when the Mehtar [ruler] of Princely State Use to visit Shiphoshon with his courtiers to enjoy the beauty of nature When Chitral merged with Pakistan the festival suspended all together and no body paid head to revive the age old festival.

This year SAMHA President Mr. Sultan e Rom Lal with Sikander Tehsil Nazim Mastuj made hard endeavor and made the historical event possible at Shiphishon. To make the event possible Shahzada SikanderUlmulk extended all kinds of support and won the heart of the people.
With the dawn of the day a traditional drums [jang war] were played on the Booni top [doldinian tak] to revitalize the age old festival, while Sultane Rom lal at the front. At ten o Clock the people all over Booni flocked over to the venue with their own arrangements while Tehsil Nazim Shahzada SikanderUlmulk led from the front. The formal ceremony was held at the historical polo ground shiphoshon with the tune of traditional music where all of the participants participated. Then a polo match was played between Israr five and Sikander five which was won by Siaknder five by 7 -5. The cricket match was played between two local teams with tennis ball to mark the day especial.
The dinner was hosted by Tehsil Nazim where the entire participant attended the dinner.

With the fall of night a traditional musical program was held. It was attended by all the participants. The program opened with performance on traditional Chitral musical instruments [drums, kettle drum and pipe]. Mr. SikanderUlmulk, according to the tradition led the suchi dance accompanied by six performers; prominent among them was Mr. Sultan e Rom lal, Haideri lal, Councillor Nowroz Khan and Mohammad Faraz.

Later the musical program was opened to all and sundry for dance performance. Mean while the said program ended at mid night.

At the break of dawn a traditional Ghalochan Ghar {horse less polo} was played between two teams comprising 11 players each side. Mr. Tajud Din lal and Khurshid Baba led its teams. Notable among them were Shahzada SikanderUl mulk, Manager Islamud Din, prominent social worker and business icon Tajud din lal, Rtd Subider Major Hakim Sarwar, councilor Nawroz Khan, Khurshid Baba and Haidari Lal. The match was so interesting that all the participant of the festival assembled around the ground and encouraged the players. Tajud Din lal amused the spectators at the time when he imitated Shahzada Sikander in free hit after making a goal. The match ended with the win of Tajud Din eleven.
After a lunch once again a polo match was played between Sikander five vs Israr five. In the match Sikander five defeated Israr five by 2 goals. This time the players and participants spent night at Shiphishon.

By Shafiq Ahmad
Booni