About District Dir Upper

INTRODUCTION Upper Dir is one of the 26 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Dir Upper is a region in northwestern Pakistan, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Before Pakistan was created, Dir was a separate state, and it remained so until 1969 when it was abolished by a presidential declaration, with the Dir District being created the following year. Dir District was 5,280 square kilometers. In 1996 the District was split into Lower Dir and Upper Dir. Dir Upper lies on the southeast side of the Hindu Kush and the major river is the Panjkora River which flows southwest through the region. CULTURE Painda Khel, sultan khel, kadi khel, Swati Katani and Kohistani Gujar, tribes populate district Dir Upper. The people of the district are very simple, hospitable and good pathans. They are known for their hard work. They all are Sunni Muslims. Poverty is wide spread. People live and die for their honor and dignity. They feel pride in taking revenge of their enemies but Jirga and hospitality is very dear to them. DRESS AND ORNAMENTS: The common dress amongst male and female is Shalwar Kamees and Chadar. In winter warm coats, sweaters, woolen pakol (cap) are used by male. The female belonging to poor families uses bangles, rings, and charguls. Pazeb, ear- rings made of silver. The female of well -to -do- families use those ornaments made of gold. FOOD: The staple food of common man in the valley is generally wheat and maize bread. It is taken with milk, butter, lassi, onion and challis. Boiled rice with vegetables is used at dinner. On marriage functions and occasion, pulao, kabab, sweet rice and meat are presented to the guests. DWELLING: People of the remote areas lead a nomadic life. They have katcha houses made of stones, clay and wood. The occupants and their livestock's commonly use the rooms. In winter, most of the people migrates with their cattle's to the plan areas as well other districts, where fodder are available for their cattle's. Since the district is mountainous, the people usually live on their respective lands available for cultivation. Normal household consists of kut (bed), a wooden box, blanket, darri or matting. Religion: Majority of the people in the district are Muslims and belong to Hanifi school of thought. All the Muslim population offers prayers regularly and observes fast during Ramadan. OCCUPATION: Farming daily wages, trade and working overseas are the main occupations of the people. Due to lack of employment opportunities, large number of people is either employed in private institutions or unemployed. A very small portion of population is employed in government departments. The women usually share the work with their men. They work side by side with men in the agriculture sector in addition to their household duties. TOURISM SPOTS: Kumrat ,Sharingal, Sumat Shahi, Hatan Darra, Barawal, Lawari Top, Daubando Pass, Namcharr Usherai, Badogay, Jazz Banda , Zakhina , etc

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