Paharis

The term Pahari refers to a group of people who inhabit the Himalayan regions of the Indian subcontinent. The word "Pahari" itself is derived from the Sanskrit word "parvata," meaning mountain. These communities are found in various parts of the Indian Himalayas, including states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Nepal and parts of Pakistan. Pahari people are not a single monolithic group but rather a collection of distinct ethnic and linguistic communities, each with its own unique culture, traditions, and dialects. Their lifestyles and livelihoods have historically been shaped by the mountainous terrain, with agriculture, pastoralism, and trade being significant economic activities. The diverse landscape of the Himalayas has led to the development of numerous Pahari languages and dialects, though Hindi and Nepali serve as common languages in many areas. Cultural practices often reflect a blend of indigenous beliefs and influences from neighboring regions, with festivals, music, and dance playing important roles in their social fabric. The term Pahari is sometimes used broadly to encompass a variety of ethnic groups within these mountainous regions.