Shina

Shina (ISO-639-3 code: scl)

The Shina community of Drass, Kargil, is part of the larger Shina-speaking population found in the western Himalayan region, particularly in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and some areas of Ladakh. Drass, often referred to as the "Gateway to Ladakh" and known for its harsh winters, is home to a significant Shina-speaking population. The Shina language belongs to the Dardic subgroup of the Indo-Aryan language family. The variety spoken in Drass has distinct phonetic, lexical, and syntactic features compared to the varieties spoken in other regions like Gilgit or Gurez. According to the census of India, 2011, the overall population of Shina Speakers in Kashmir and Ladakh region is 32,200. Despite being a minority in the region, Shina speakers in Drass have maintained their linguistic heritage. The Shina community in Drass traces its ancestry to Dardic settlers who historically inhabited the region. Oral traditions, folklore, and linguistic evidence suggest long-standing cultural ties with other Dardic communities across the western Himalayan belt. Historically, Shina speakers in Drass were primarily agro-pastoralists, with agriculture and livestock playing a crucial role in their livelihoods. The community shares cultural practices with both Ladakhi and Kashmiri communities, owing to centuries of interaction. Festivals, marriage customs, and traditional music reflect a mix of indigenous Shina traditions with external cultural influences. Traditional attire, folk songs, and dances remain integral to their identity. The Shina community in Drass predominantly follows Islam, specifically Shia Islam, given the religious demographics of the Kargil district. However, pre-Islamic customs and rituals have left a cultural imprint on the community’s social practices. Like many minority linguistic communities in the Himalayas, the Shina community of Drass faces the challenge of language shift, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly adopting Ladakhi, Balti, or Urdu for broader communication. Efforts have been made in recent years to document and revitalize the language, though more systematic interventions are needed.