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DCO, Dir Upper
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--About
Dir (U)
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Culture
The people of the district Upper Dir are very simple, hospitable and good Pathans. They are known for their hard work. They all are Sunni Muslims. Poverty is wide spread. People live and die for their honor and dignity. They feel pride in taking revenge of their enemies but jirga and hospitality is very dear to them.
Dress and Ornaments
The common dress amongst male and female is Shalwar Kamees and Chadar. In winter warm coats, sweaters, woolen Pakol (cap) are used by males. The femnales belonging to poor families use bangles, rings, charguls, Pazeb, ear-rings made of silver. The females of well-to do families use these ornaments made of gold.
Food
The staple food of common man in the valleys is generally wheat and maize bread. It is taken with milk, butter, Lassi, Onion and chillies. Boiled rice with vegetables is used at dinner.
In Dir town, the people take wheat bread, meat, pulses and vegetables. On marriage occasions and religious functions, Pulao, Kabab, minced meat, sweet rice, pudding and other sweet dishes are usually served in the well-to-do- families. The poor people also spend large amounts of money on such occasions.
Dwelling
People of the remote areas lead a nomadic life. They have Katcha houses made of stones, clay and wood comprising one or two small rooms. These rooms are commonly used by the occupants and their livestock. In winter, the people migrates with their cattles to other parts or even to other districts, where fodder is available for their cattles. Siunce the district is mountainous, the cultivators usually li98ve on their respective lands available for cultivation. Normal household consists of cot (bed), a wooden box, blanket, Darri or matting. In Upper Dir town houses are mostly Katcha. Those consist of two or more rooms have separate kitchen, bathroom and latrine. With well-to-do- families carpets, chairs, tables and sofa seats are also found.
Religion
All the people in the district are Muslims and belongs to Hanfi school of thought. All the muslim population offer prayers regularly and observe fast during Ramazan.
Occupation
Farming, daily wages, trade, and working overseas are the the main occupations of the people. Due to lack of employment oppoutunities, large number of people are either employed in private institutions or unemployed. A very small proportion of population is employed in government departments. The women outside proper Dir share the work with their men. They work side by side with men in the agriculture sector in addition to their household duties.
Marriage
Arranged marriages normally at early age, are celebrated with extravagant spending and serving of food to the guests and concerned community. Marriages are the occasions when relatives, friends, neighbourers are invited for food with traditional pump and show. For the departure of girl to the husband's house, a large procession called "Janj" carrying Doli (palanquin), visits the brid's house from the bridegroom's family on the fixed date. The youngsters of groom's side fire gun shots in the air for joy. Nikah ceremony is performed in mosque in the presence of Maulvi and other relatives.
Deaths
Soon after death has occurred the male and female of neighbourhood and relatives go to the deceased's house. The men set outside in open place receiving people and telling the circumstances in which the deayth occurred. After the funeral prayers the body is laid in the grave. Cooking in the house of the deceased's familhy generally does not take place even fire in the house is extinguished. On the fourtieth day Chehlum ceremony is observed in which the Holy Quran is cecited and the relatives and friends of the deceased are given meal. The cloths of the dead person are distributed among the poor.
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District Government