Meet the last nomads from Afghanistan’s Pamir Mountains

FEW outsiders have had the privilege of meeting the nomads of Afghanistan’s Pamir Mountains. This is a rare look at their isolated lives.

Women from the tribe dress traditionally. Picture: Tracey Croke.

FEW outsiders have had the privilege of meeting the nomads of Afghanistan’s Pamir Mountains.

Kyrgyz children. Picture: Tracey Croke. First, political and geographical argy-bargy between the Russian and British empires redrew the borders restricting the herders’ traditional nomadic freedom of movement. The nomads transport is four-legged. Picture: Tracey Croke. Next Moa’s closure of the Chinese border sealed the nomads into a part of Afghanistan where they were forced to adapt to a life at high altitude, surviving brutal winters at the outer edge of human habitation on nothing but their ingenuity. Their isolation has kept them safe from the Taliban. Picture: Tracey Croke. Although summer brought pockets of lush grazing lands, life is hard for the tribe. A new route has allowed intrepid travellers in for the first time. Picture: Tracey Croke. There is no electricity, running water is confined to the glacial rivers and all the transport is four-legged. Infrastructure in this area is nothing more than ancient trade trails, animal tracks and the odd rickety bridge cobbled together from fat branches and twigs. Ironically, it’s this trapped isolation that kept the region free from the recent conflict and the Taliban. Tribesmen with yaks for hire. Picture: Tracey Croke. A route into the Afghan Pamir Mountains is now possible through Ishkashim (in the Northeast) to explore this previously inaccessible part of the planet, deservedly under consideration for World Heritage Site status.The mountain area is being considered as a World Heritage Site. Picture: Tracey Croke. It’s understandable that even the most adventurous traveller might be a little anxious about coming across some post-conflict hostility. The long journey is worth it for the beautiful people. Picture: Tracey Croke. But those few who have made the journey only speak of hospitable, generous and humble people who welcome the intrepid with invitations into their cozy family yurts (felt covered tents) for warm freshly baked flatbread and mugs of hot yak-milk tea.Picture: Tracey Croke. Afghanistan may have been through turbulent times, but deep in the Pamir Mountains it’s been business as usual. Picture: Tracey Croke. With their woolly weather-resilient yaks, ready and able to take the load, the nomads will guide you along ancient trade trails into a part of Afghanistan few people see; a bewitching and largely unexplored land which is centuries away from the notorious headlines that have defined the country over the past decade. Free-spirited Wakhi women show their strong, shy and playful personalties. Picture: Tracey Croke.