RELIGION

National consciousness is strongly based on the Islam.

Fatimid-Ismaili Islam had been introduced to the Badakhshan and Pamir (valley) by Nasir Khusraw al-Qubadiani, who was appointed as the Dāri al-Mutlaq and Hujjat al-Islam by Fatimid Caliph Abū Tamīm Ma’add al-Mustanṣir bi-llāh for Pamiris.

Today’s Pamiris are predominantly Nizari Ismaili Shia and follow the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan Foundation became the primary non-governmental organization in Gorno-Badakhshan.

Ismaili religious thought emphasizes a balance between the exterior, literal meaning of sacred scriptures and religious commandments (zâhir) and their esoteric or inner meaning (bâtin), which illuminates eternal spiritual truths (haqâ‘iq). Such a vision of Islam, common to other esoteric traditions, such as Sufism, finds expression in broader cultural forms that are often located in the vernacular and draw on local musical genres and styles.

Among the Badakhshani Ismailis, spiritual concerts featuring sung poetry austerely accompanied on stringed instruments and frame drum (daf) serve as one route toward the inner – toward the soul – and the illumination of spiritual truths. This performance genre is called maddoh (also transliterated as maddâh, madâh, madh) – literally, “praise.” A maddoh typically offers praise to the “Family of the Prophet” (Ahl al Bayt), and in particular to Ali, the first Shia Imam, and to the current Imam, or hereditary spiritual leader, of the Ismailis, His Highness the Aga Khan. Maddoh provides a vessel for the spiritual power known as baraka, and maddoh singers, called maddohkhon, are highly esteemed in Badakhshan. 

LANGUAGES

Diversity of languages in Pamir  outlines the culture. Languages are divided not only into the Northern Pamir and Southern Pamir language groups but also into various dialects.

Northern Pamir languages include: