Gerry asked
> Do you or other list members know any details about the Burushaski
> ethnograpgy (plants and animals they breed, traditional clothes,
houses,
> vehicles, pottery), anthropology and mythology? My sources are very
miserly.
I believe that Burushaski is the language of the Hunza peoples living
in the Himalayas of Kashmir of Pakistan. They supported themselves by
Banditry until fairly recent times, when the local amir led them to
adopt a peaceful life. The Hunza's attract a huge new age following
for their reputed longevity - eighty year olds are reulted to be active
horsemen!
The person who has done most to spread the Hunza "health secrets" is
Renee Taylor who lived amongst the Hunza for some time. She wrote two
books as follows
Taylor, Renee and Mulford J. Nobbs: Hunza: The Himalayan Shangri-La
;Whitehorn, California, 1962.
and
Dr. Allen E. Banik And Renee Taylor: Hunza Land ; California: Whitehorn
Pub. Co., 1960.
There is also the older and much more "British"
Clark, John: Hunza. Lost Kingdom of the Himalayas ; Hutchison of
London. ,1957
I do know that ethnically they are very different from neighbouring
groups, and I believe that they are Shia Muslim rather than Sunni, but
am not sure. There is also the myth that they are descendents from
deserters from Alexanders' army that deserted to marry local women.
Hope this helps
John