Cuisine of Balochistan

Quroot (Dried curd)

Local name : (‪Kruth, ‪Kreth,‎Quroth )

Quroot  (Dried curd) is a Cottage Cheese.  It is very popular and traditional cuisine of Pakistan including Balochistan,and is consumed primarily during the winters. It is an essential food in all nomadic and pastoral communities. Specially Balochi, Brahvi, Gujjar,Kashmiri and Pashtoon nomads made it to keep them warm in winters. It is made for personal use and for commercial basis to sell it all around the area.

Quroot is traditionally a by-product of butter made from sheep or goat milk. The residual buttermilk remaining after churning of the butter is soured further by keeping it at room temperature for a few days, treated with salt, and then boiled. The precipitated casein is filtered through cheese cloth (Malmal cloth), pressed to remove liquid, and shaped into balls. The product is thus a very sour cottage cheese. It is basically made of yogurt and salt. It can be preserved for long time period.

Quroot has round or oval shape. It is usually eaten raw. It is also used in many other dishes and sauces.

Quroot takes its roots in Northern Afghanistan during the 1st Century BC. In Afghanistan

Method

·        Pour the yogurt in muslin or cheese cloth and drain the curd until the excess water is pressed out. It usually takes one or two days to drain out all excess water.

After draining all excess water it form a hard curd Add some quantity of flour and salt and knead it well until its texture and appearance become smooth   After the addition of flour and salt it becomes bit hard in shape Cut it into any shape or roll by hand to make balls shape.

**********************************************************

Kruthghwadhi (Kruth or Ghwadhi)

Kruthghwadhi is very popular cuisine consumed primarily during the winter. It is also called kruth or ghwadhi.

It is prepared by Quroot (Dried curd). Butter which is extracted from cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep is used .Butter is melted into oil. Quroot is added in boiling oil until it is melted and become like soupy greasy mixture .Soak hunks of nan or roti in it. Add some onions. Add Salt and some spices.Mix everything well and continue to cook over low heat.

Traditionally it is eaten with hands but some people eat with spoon as well. To enhance flavour it is served with sources chutni or salad. But best way is to eat simple with out any additive things. 

Kruthghwadhi keeps warm and prevents from cold in winters. It is the reason where there is severe cold it is used. 

Killi Raisani -(UC) Kawas, Ziarat district

Killi Raisani is a village of kawas union council of Ziarat district Balochistan .It is located on the west side of ziarat town at a distance of 18 km at 30°2756N 67°3456E and has an altitude of 2116 m (6945 ft) above sea level.

Killi Raisani is spread over 20 sq/km2, It lies next to killi shadeed Baba and opposite to Killi murgha kawas village.

Topography

Geographically Killi Raisani,at one side is mostly terrain but on other sides it has fruits orchids.

Dam

The mini dam named  Kawas tangi storage dam” is located in this village.

Tribes:

Raisani, Tareen and syed

Language:

Pushto is main spoken language

Food:

The food eaten consists principally of wheat, rice, butter, milk and vegetables and meat. The use of tea, milk and butter is also common.

Infrastructure:

The infrastructure facilities are less. There are approximately 60 households, with populations of around 500 persons. Most of the houses are constructed with mud and unbaked bricks, The roads are metallic and also shingle. Electricity and Gas is available. Postal and Telephone facilities are also available. There are three mosques and few shops. Hand pumps, wells and karez are used for water supply

Education:

Literacy in the area is moderate it has two schools, one for boys and one for girls. The name of school is Govt primary Ghwazh School. For high school education pupils has to go other areas.

Profession:

The people are predominantly dependent on agriculture sector, livestock, government jobs and different types of businesses .Mostly families have shifted from the village for better education of their children, for better jobs and for business purposes.

Climate:

The climate is mostly pleasant in summers and extremely cold in winters. The summer season remains pleasant from May to August. It begins getting wintry in the month of September and becomes extremely cold with heavy amount of snow fall during the months of November - March. Rainy season is mostly during January to March in winter and July to August in summer.

Time to visit: March - October

Earthquake:

On the morning of 29 October 2008 at around 4 am Ziarat and its surrounding areas were struck by an earthquake. Killi Raisani was also affected by it The mud houses were turned into rubble and many government buildings were destroyed . Landslides had cut-off many roads and accessibility to the area was made more difficult. The shelters and medical camp were established in killi Raisani 

Dalbandin Airport- Balochistan

Dalbandin Airport (IATA: DBA, ICAO: OPDB) is a small domestic airport located at Dalbandin, in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. There are two weekly Fokker flights of PIA to/from Karachi.

Dalbandin Airport (DBA),is possibly the remotest airport PIA operates into. It is also the highest elevation 3120 feet, with a runway of only 1524m and a minimal width of about 75 '.

This airfield had been constructed in 1935. Initially, its role was to serve as a satellite of Samungli Air Base at Quetta. During the Second World War, it was made operationally ready by RAF to meet a possible Russian invasion through Iran. Each time we landed there, I was attracted by a group of broken down Nissan huts located near the airfield.

Dalbandin is one of three Pakistani bases used by the US and allied forces Currently the United States Marine Corps use Dalbandin as a base for operations into Afghanistan.

********************************************************************

Shirin and Farhad Tomb (Jhaoo tehsil --Awaran District0

The Tomb of Shirin Farhad is located in Jhaoo tehsil Awaran District in Baluchistan. Pakistan. It is 30 minutes drive from Bela / RCD Highway.

Shirin and Farhad is a famous folk story of  tragetic love. The tale has been retold by countless Sufi poets and writers The influence of the legend of Farhad is not limited to literature, but permeates the whole of Persian culture, including folklore and the fine arts

Shirin was very beautiful princess She got married to Khusrau Pervaiz, the powerful Persian emperor and become his queen. 

Farhad  was a sculptor and  passionate young man. He falls in love with Shirin and becomes Khosrow's love-rival. 

The king gave Farhad a task which was not possible for any one to do. He invited Farhad to his court, questioned him and then promised to give him Shirin if he dig a milk canal for her  in the rocky land among the hills .The canal must be six lances in width and three lances deep and forty miles long. 

Farhad worked for years and cut his canal. He was half- way through, and would probably have completed it.The king tricked with farhad He sent an old woman to misinform Farhad that Shirin was dead. Upon hearing this news, Farhad killed himself with his pickaxe.and died under the carved canal. When Shirin heard this she cut her head with the same sharp edge of the pickaxe which was stained with her lover's blood.. No water ever flows into the canal, but two lovers are entombed in one and the same grave.

**********************************

MANA VALLEY -ZIARAT

Mana is a beautiful village in Ziarat district .Mana name is drive from a pashto word which means "Apple". It. has many apple orchards and  famous for the  production of the  best quality of apples of the world. 

Apple Orchard in Mana Valley

Mana valley is located approximately38 kms away from main Ziarat town. Mana valley has  grass and shrubby growth in the plains along with juniper tress . It is a picturesque valley and is blessed with an overall natural beauty. 

Houses in Mana Valley

Mana valley is unique due to the beautiful dam . The dam is named Mana Dam and it  is constructed by provincial irrigation department . It is located in the upper part of the mana valley, This dam is very popular destinaation among tourists as well as local visitors. The dam site provides some very good locations for camping activities and offer the best and ideal place for picnic .

The only accommodation there is a rest house owned by irrigation department. 

Best time to visit mana valley is in summer , The apple apple orchards , wild flowers, juniper trees scattered around the village gives  a unique, beautiful and spectacular view. 

The mana valley is easy to reach. The road leading to it is in good condition It is accessible by a public and  private transport both.

             *********************************************************************

Kawas (Union Council of Ziarat Tehsil) Ziarat district

Kawas is a town and union council of Ziarat District in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is located at 30°27'56N 67°34'56E and has an altitude of 2116m (6945ft). Kawas is the largest town of ziarat.
Kawas contain many villages. Following is the name list of those villages.

1. Killi Babaran
2. Killi Hospital 
3. Killi Ghundai
4. killi khar bozi
5. Killi Mamonza,
6. Killi Murgha 
7. Killi Quba or kazha
8. Killi Ragha
9. Killi Raisani
10. Killi Shaheed Baba,
11. Killi Sharah,
12. Killi Shaila,
13. Killi Ziarat,
14. Killi Zhawa

Shaheed Baba Village- Kawas-Ziarat District, Balochistan

Shaheed Baba is a village locatred in Ziarat district of Balochistan Province of Pakistan. It is a village of kawas town the,union council of Ziarat Tehsil and it is located on the west of ziarat town at a distance of 18 km.It is located at 30°2756N 67°3456E and has an altitude of 2116m (6945ft) above sea level.

Shaheed Baba village is named after a Saint who was native of this area. He was martyred by some enemies and buried in this village after martyrdom.

Shaheed Baba village is spread over 15km2, The area consists of mountains and valley. It lies apposite to Killi murgha kawas village at a distance of about 2km. The village is on both side of the main Quetta-Ziarat Road, If coming from quetta it is will come after Warchum village.

Pushto is main language spoken in the village.Dominating ethnic group of the village is Pushtoon, which has many tribes like Tareen Adamzai, Tareen Jankhanzai, Kakar Sanzarkhail, Kakar Esakhail, and Syed.

The climate of this village is mostly pleasant in summers and cold to extremely cold in winters. The summer season remains pleasant from May to August. It begins getting wintry in the month of September and becomes extremely cold with heavy amount of snow fall during the months of November - March. Rainy season is mostly during January to March in winter and July to August in summer.

Literacy in the area is moderate in Shaheed Baba village and it has one high school for boys and one high school for girls school, The school name is kawas gharbi high school for boys and kawas gharbi high school for girls.

It is is moderately developed village Streets are generally narrow and there are no streetlights.The mode of living varies In the upper mountainous parts, the settlements are small and scattered, and fully covered by a tin roof. Most of the houses are constructed with mud and unbaked bricks, The houses are constructed without any city planning In the valleys, there are small and big conglomerates of houses There are approximately 90 households, with populations of around 700 persons There is one mosque and one hospital. Few shops for daily utilities

Many people earn their livelihoods through livestock and agriculture sector. Farming is almost entirely a private enterprise and is managed at a household level. The land is very fertile . The agricultural sector concentrates almost entirely on fruit production. The fruits grown are apple,almond, apricot, peaches, plum, pear, pomegranate, cherry etc, with a dominating position for apple production.

The people are predominantly dependent on agriculture and livestock.and on small scale businesses of different types . The population is increasing, while renewable natural resource base is degrading due to unsustainable use, thus resulting in hardships for local communities. For better living conditions .Mostly families have moved from the village to Quetta for business purpose, jobs and in search of better education of their children.

People are simple and hospitable. Cricket is the most popular sport played here and many are very good cricketers.

Mr.Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal,who is the leader of Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party and currently working as the provincial minister of law, prosecution, parliamentary affairs, information and information technology of Balochistan, belong to this village.

Killi ‪‎Murgha‬ Kawas (Ziarat- Balochistan)

Killi Murgha Kawas is a village located in district Ziarat of Balochistan Province in Pakistan. This is a village of kawas town, the union council of Ziarat Tehsil and it is located on the west of ziarat town at a distance of 18 km.Killi Murgha Kawas is spread over an area of 14 sq/m and it is greeer than other areas. It is located at 30°2756N 67°3456E and has an altitude of 2116m (6945ft) above sea level.

Killi Murgha Kawas is a village with picturesque beauty, untouched gorgeous weather, and seemingly blissful landscape. It has lush green valley which is surrounded by grey hills,flowers, fruits laden orchids of apples and cherries and Juniper forest, The serenity of the place is enchanting, Everything about it is interesting, the natural beauty, rich culture,friendly climate, beautiful greenery, easy access. The lush green valley provide a wide range of vegetation and fruits including, apricot, peach, almond,pear, grapes, cherry and huge amount of best quality and variety of apples and many other seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Killi Murgha Kawas derives its name from the Pushto word- murgha (grassy).The name is given due to its lush green scenic valley with spectacular views.

Pushto is main language spoken in the village.Dominating ethnic group of the village is Pushtoon, which has many tribes like Kakar Sanzarkhail ,Khidarzai‬, kakar Meerzai, Batozai‬, Tareen, Syed, Sulaimankhail, Panwzai, Dotani.

Killi Murgha Kawas is not only just rich in nature but also in history and cultureThe village is around 250-300 years old. people have been living in in this village centuries ago.

Killi Murgha Kawas has one primary school for boys and one primary school for girls school, After completing 5th class students go to the nearby high schools located in another village which is approximately at a distance of one and half km on the other side of the stream. The schools names are kawas gharbi high school for boys and Kawas gharbi high school for girls. The Literacy rate is more than 90 percent.

Killi Murgha Kawas is moderately developed village .There are approximately 50 households, with populations of around 400 persons. Some houses are made of mud and some with bricks.. There is one mosque in the center of village. Few shops for daily utilities.But if some one has to purchase more things he has to go nearby kawas village located at a distance of 20 minutes by foot.The natural gas was provided in 2005.

The people are predominantly dependent on agriculture and livestock.and on small scale businesses of different types . Mostly families have moved from the village to Quetta for business purpose, jobs and in search of better education of their children. People are simple and hospitable. Cricket is most popular sport in the village.

The climate of this village is mostly pleasant in summers and cold to extremely cold in winters. The summer season remains pleasant from May to August. It begins getting wintry in the month of September and becomes extremely cold with heavy amount of snow fall during the months of November - March. Rainy season is mostly during January to March in winter and July to August in summer.The crops n vegetable session is April to September.

There is one Dam ,named "Murgha dam " and 2 Karezes, the names of karezes are :

1 Murgha Tangi

2 Murgha Karez,

Now a days Karezes now replaced by tube wells which uses for irrigation and also for drinking water.

Many kind of Mammals found here. Most common are Straight-horned Wolf (Canis lupus), Hill fox (Vulpes vulpes grifithii), Asiatic Jackal (Canis aureus), Cape hare (Lepus capensis), Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Afghan Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus megalotis), Afghan Pica (Ochotona rufescens) and Stone Marten (martes foina) etc.

The varieties of birds are Chukar (Alectoris chukar), See partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Rosy Starling (Sturnus roseus), Magpie (Pica pica), Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos daphanea), a number of sparrows, finches, buntings, seasonal/migratory waterfowls, hawks, bustards and sand grouse etc.

Reptiles found here are oxiana), Saw-scale viper (Echis carinatus), Dwarf Dark-headed racer (Eirenis persicawalteri) Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetina), etc. Beetles (Bugs), Butterflies, Wasps, Bees, Ants, Flies, Pseudocentipedes, Symphyla.

Famous Pashto poet Abdul razaq who is well known as Falak zada hamdard belonged to Killi Murgha Kawas.

Killi Murgha Kawas lies at the edge of mountains, at one side are houses and on the other side is the land covered with the orchids of fruits, mainly of apples. The spectacular mountains surrounding this village give a superb opportunity for mountain trekkers, camping, and hiking There are plenty of amazing hiking routes in these mountains. The blend of mountains and landscape is ideal for adventure lovers. The valley has refreshing atmosphere with sweet floral and fruits fragrance spreading all over the valley.

------------