Culture & Heritage

THE HOUSE OF QIRGHIZ BOI

The oldest house in Ghulkin is the House of Qirghiz Boi, named after the first Wakhi settler to the village. This house is now not in use. The house is built in the typical Tibetan inspired architecture of the time. The doorframes and wooden pillars are intricately decorated with fine woodcarvings. Some of the carvings depict symbols from pre-Islamic times, such as a two-headed bird and several stupa-like shapes. Woodcarving was a specialty of the Baltis of the East, who often came long ways to work on the forts, palaces and mosques of the Hunza area.

Qirghiz Boi’s House stands empty today and can be visited by tourists. Occasionally the old house serves as a special location for celebrations of religious gatherings.

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