Sarazis

The Sarazi people are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group inhabiting the Saraz region of the Jammu division in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Their primary language is Sarazi, classified as a member of the Western Pahari language family. While primarily Muslim, the Sarazi people also include a small minority of Hindu communities who speak Sarazi as a second language. ^[1]

History and Culture

The Sarazi people have a rich history and tradition deeply rooted in the mountainous terrain of the Saraz region. Their culture is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim practices, reflecting the region's diverse religious landscape. Traditional occupations include agriculture, animal husbandry, and craftsmanship. Music and dance play like Dakku dance a significant role in Sarazi cultural celebrations. ^{[2] [3]}

Language

The Sarazi language shares similarities with both Kashmiri and Western Pahari languages. ^{[4] [5]} Although historically considered a Kashmiri dialect, ^[6] Sarazi is now recognized as distinct with its unique grammar and vocabulary. While primarily spoken, efforts are underway to promote literacy and documentation of the language. ^[2]

See also

• Bhadarwahis

References

1. Mahajan 2018; Ashiqehind 2018. Some Muslim communities are speakers of Gojri or Watali.
2. "Folk Songs of Saraz in Chenab Valley". Sahapedia. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
3. Hassan, Tahir (2023-05-15). "Musical night under Nasha Mukt Bharat held in Doda". JK News Today. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
4. Grierson 1919, p. 433.
5. Kaul 2006 , pp. 158–166; Ashiqehind 2018, "Sarazi should be classed as a Western Pahari language. It would still make a very aberrant member of the group."
6. Wali & Koul 1996 , p. xii; a recent example is in Bhat & Niaz 2014 , p. 292.

Sources

• Ashiqehind, Vikalp (2018). "Sarazi: Endangered Language of the Chenab Valley". Sahapedia .
• Bhat, Shabir Ahmad; Niaz, Sahar (2014). "Siraji". In Devy, G. N.; Koul, Omkar N. (eds.). The Languages of Jammu & Kashmir. People's linguistic survey of India. Vol. 12. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. pp. 291–302. ISBN   978-81-250-5516-7.
• Grierson, George A. (1919). Linguistic Survey of India. Vol. VIII, Part 2, Indo-Aryan family. North-western group. Specimens of the Dardic or Piśācha languages (including Kāshmiri). Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India. pp. 432–57.
• Kaul, Pritam Krishen (2006). Pahāṛi and Other Tribal Dialects of Jammu. Vol. 1. Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers. ISBN   8178541017.
• Mahajan, Chakraverti (2018). "Saraz and Sarazi: Situating a Language and Linguistic Zone in Jammu and Kashmir". Sahapedia .
• Wali, Kashi; Koul, Omkar N. (1996). Kashmiri : a cognitive-descriptive grammar. New York: Routledge. ISBN   0-415-05868-6.