Shina

Shina (Sina, Shinaki). 300,000 in Pakistan (1981 census); 20,416 in India (1994); 320,000 in all countries. Northern Areas including Gilgit District, scattered villages in Yasin and Ishkoman valleys, Punial, Gilgit, Haramosh, lower Hunza Valley; Diamer District, Chilas area, Darel and Tangir valleys, Astor Valley; scattered areas of Baltistan District, Satpara, Kharmang, Kachura, and other small valleys; NWFP, east part of Kohistan District, Sazin, Harban. Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina. Dialects: GILGITI (GILGIT, PUNIAL, HUNZA-NAGAR, BAGROTE, HARAMOSH, RONDU, BUNJI), ASTORI (ASTOR, GUREZI, DRAS, SATPARA, KHARMANGI), CHILASI KOHISTANI (CHILAS, DAREL, TANGIR, SAZIN, HARBAN). 79% to 99% lexical similarity within the Gilgiti (Northern) dialect cluster, 81% to 96% among the Astori (Eastern) cluster, 84% to 98% among the Chilas (Diamer) cluster. Gilgit functions as the language standard. Shina is the primary language in Gilgit and Diamer districts. �Brocpa� is the name used for Shina speakers in Baltistan and Ladakh. �Brokskat� refers to their language. �Brokskat� is used semi-officially in India to refer to a highly divergent variety of Shina spoken by Buddhists. Below 20% literacy rate. Muslim, some Shi'a, some Sunni.

Shina, Kohistani (Palasi-Kohistani, Kohistani, Kohistyo). 200,000 (1981 census). East bank of the Indus in Kohistan District, NWFP, in the Jalkot, Palas, and Kolai valleys and surrounding areas. Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina. Dialects: PALASI, JALKOTI, KOLAI. A somewhat divergent variety of Shina linguistically and socially. Closer to Shina of Chilas, but more distinct from that of Gilgit. Mainly Sunni Muslim.

Source: www.ethnologue.com

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© 2002 Muhammad Zaman Sagar All Rights Reserved Last updated September 13, 2002

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