The traditional practice is now rarely seen in Kashmir; yet, SKAUST’s annual AgriTech fest offers a glimmer of revival
Manzoor Akash
In rural Kashmir, Gun’gul, a traditional practice that was once vibrant and rhythmic, has now faded away, becoming a forgotten part of Kashmir’s cultural heritage. This lost tradition blossomed as a vibrant celebration of the Valley, its people, and their unbreakable bond with agriculture. This joyous practice marked the beginning of a new agricultural season, infusing the air with hope and renewal. As farmers in villages immersed themselves in this cherished tradition, the air was filled with the sound of ploughing and the rhythm of hard work. They put their hearts into their labour, feeling hopeful about the harvest to come. It reminded them of a saying by Alamdaar-e-Kashmir (RA), ‘Yuss Kari Gun’gul, Suiye Kari Kraav’, which means ‘One who sows, reaps’.
Gun’gul was more than just a farming ritual; it was a celebration of our connection to the land & our heritage and a poignant testament to the resilience of Kashmir’s farming community, their unwavering dedication to the land, and their deep-rooted cultural heritage. With every plough drawn, every seed sown, and every treat shared, the people of Kashmir reaffirmed their connection to the earth, to each other, and to the timeless rhythms of nature.
The saying ‘snow will melt, winter will go, and spring will again come’ reminds us that Son’th marks the start of preparation for farmers in rural Kashmir. It’s a time to get ready for ploughing fields, known as Gun’gul in Kashmir. Thanks to SKAUST-K Srinagar, who keeps this tradition alive by celebrating the Gun’gul festival every year, which is Kashmir’s biggest AgriTech event that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable agriculture.
In the past, when winter ended, farmers would take out their oxen and wooden ploughs to till the land for cultivation. It was a big celebration in rural Kashmir, with every farmer preparing their fields. Although this tradition isn’t widely practised now in the Kashmir Valley, it’s an important part of Kashmir’s history, where farmers would prepare their fields for the new season. However, it’s nice to see efforts being made to preserve this tradition.
Gun’gul marks the start of the farming season in Kashmir. In the past, Baed Zamindar (big landowners) had all the necessary tools, including oxen and ploughs, while small farmers, Loket Zamindar, would team up with neighbours to share resources, especially the oxen to make Dan’de Hoer (oxen pair), which was locally known as Pae’yel Karen. They would prepare their tools and keep the oxen ready by the end of winter.
Gun’gul was a big deal once in rural Kashmir. It was seen as a fresh start for farmers who would celebrate it with joy, treating it as a cultural festival. The tradition showcased farmers’ hard work, community spirit, and love for the land. Soon after the Wandeh (winter) was over, farmers would take their oxen and ploughs (albain) to the fields, followed by village kids. Before beginning to till their land, they would distribute treats like Chirmi Tomul (uncooked rice), Khand Tomul (rice mixed with sugar), Gun’gul Do’oin (walnuts), and sometimes Tahri (rice cooked with turmeric, oil & shallot). It was a time for hope and renewal, and farmers cherished these rituals.
I fondly recall my childhood days, when the arrival of Gun’gul after the harsh winter was a highly anticipated event in my village. The moment we would catch sight of a farmer shouldering his plough and setting off towards the paddy fields, we would follow him to the fields, and swarm around him, excited to get some Khand Tomul or walnuts. We would go from field to field, collecting Gun’gul treat in our polythene bags from farmers. It was a thrilling competition to see who could get the most of it. And when we would finally return home, we shared that with our siblings at home, adding to the joy of the moment.
According to Dr Rafeeq Masoodi, a renowned broadcaster and former secretary of the Cultural Academy, Srinagar, “Kashmiris have forgotten many things of their heritage, and Gun’gul is one of the most notable ones. He notes that Gun’gul was once a vital part of Kashmiri farmers, representing their farming heritage and cultural identity. But unfortunately, this traditional practice is now rarely seen in Kashmir, except in some remote villages of Lolab, where some farmers, every year, after winter, breathe life back into the forgotten rhythms of Gun’gul, keeping the tradition alive in their own way.”
As we move forward in today’s fast-paced world, let’s not forget this traditional practice that defined our cultural identity in rural Kashmir. Instead, let’s try to keep the tradition alive for our future generations. That way, they will understand its importance and see it as a living part of our agricultural legacy, not a relic of the past.
The writer is the author of several books
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