The Wakhan Corridor was once an isolated area known to few, but this region is developing day by day thanks to a new road connecting it to China.
The Wakhan Corridor is a world apart from the rest of Afghanistan, both geographically and culturally. This 350 km long strip located in northeastern Afghanistan is formed by the connection of three major mountain ranges: the Hindu Kush, the Pamirs, and the Karakoram. Due to the rugged terrain and difficult transportation in the Wakhan Corridor, not many tourists are aware of this peaceful land’s existence. Nevertheless, photographer Simon Urwin asserts that the Wakhan Corridor is one of the most remote and beautiful places in Asia. Photo: Lonely Planet.
For centuries, the Wakhan Corridor was part of the Silk Road connecting China to the Mediterranean. In the 19th century, the Wakhan Corridor played a crucial role in the “Great Game” between Britain and Russia. These two powerful nations engaged in numerous conflicts to gain control over strategic areas like the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. The current borders of this region were established in 1893 to create a buffer zone between the territory of Queen Victoria and the Russian Empire of the Tsar. Today, the Wakhan Corridor lies on the trade route of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Photo: Flickr.
The homes of the local residents are made from simple materials (stone, mud, wood), scattered along the Wakhan Corridor and connected by a dirt road. The common means of transportation for locals is walking or riding camels, as there are not many public transport options or cars in Wakhan. The nearest urban area to the Wakhan Corridor is Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, located about a three-day drive away. The isolation makes the Wakhan Corridor feel like a time capsule. As a result, the local residents always hope for a future where Wakhan has electricity, paved roads, and mobile phone service, similar to Tajikistan. Photo: BBC.
The Wakhan Corridor has been home to the Wakhi people for over 2,500 years. While the majority of Afghanistan’s population follows Sunni Islam, the 12,000 Wakhi are Ismailis, a branch of Shia Islam. There are no mosques here; instead, the Wakhi pray in jamatkhanas. Women in Wakhan are not required to wear the Burqa (the traditional full-body covering for Afghan women), allowing them to take photos with Western male tourists, an act that would be frowned upon in other parts of Afghanistan. Photo: Travelistly.
The primary income of the Wakhi people comes from fields growing wheat, barley, peas, potatoes, and apples. In the arid conditions of the Wakhan Corridor, farmers use water flowing from glaciers in the mountains for irrigation. In June, wealthier families take their livestock, including sheep, goats, camels, horses, and yaks, to pastures at an elevation of 4,500 meters. The people of Wakhan often celebrate festivals to mark the beginning of the barley harvest in early August, known as Chinir. Photo: Jason P. Howe.
Buzkhasi is one of the most beloved traditional games in the Wakhan Corridor. The game is known as rugby on horseback and uses a goat instead of a ball. In buzkhasi, there are no rules, no teams, and no concept of “fair play” as participants will do whatever it takes to seize the goat. In other parts of Afghanistan, buzkhasi often has political implications for the elite to gain votes, but in the Wakhan Corridor, it is simply a community event. Photo: Mutually.
The highway under the Belt and Road Initiative is being constructed to connect the Chinese border with the Wakhan Corridor. This project allows the Wakhi to buy goats from China at lower prices than at the Ishkhashim market, while local residents can access modern healthcare services. However, these highways raise concerns among many people that they will permanently erase the unique Wakhi culture and slow lifestyle. Additionally, the environmental consequences of traffic pollution could negatively impact the tranquility and natural scenery of the Wakhan Corridor. Photo: euronews.
