The Neo-Emblam: a Nomadic resource and archaeological heritage visitor center

Abstract

Nomadism, a way of life characterized by constant motion, is a unique and fascinating lifestyle that has existed for centuries. It represents an understanding of temporality—the idea that everything is fleeting and transient and that one must adapt and evolve with their surroundings to survive. In our own homeland, the Bakarwals of Kashmir have long embraced this very same concept. The Bakarwals make up a transhumance tribe of the broader caste of the Gujjars of Pakistan, who have performed a seasonal migration along the northern length of the country since pre-partition. As defined by the international covenants of the UN, to which Pakistan is also a signatory, the Bakarwals also form an indigenous nomadic community that, owing to our callous national policies, has become marginalised and endangered. The Bakarwals are actively fighting for recognition and the safeguarding of their cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, and currently have an ongoing case filed in the High Court. (Mr. Muhammad Hanif Parwana vs. Government of Pakistan and others, 2022) This thesis aims to create a space that not only pays homage to the rich tradition and resilience of the Bakarwals but also joins the lush landscape of their winter campground with the built form and the community thus created. The design transforms an illegally quarried Margalla Hill’s base in Shah Allah Ditta, Islamabad, which sits in close proximity with the seasonal campgrounds of a number of Bakarwali families, into a Nomadic Resource and Archaeological Heritage Visitor Centre that provides the Bakarwals with a platform for cultural exchange, voices their concerns to both national and international designated professionals, collaborates with academics and researchers, fraternises with tourists, and manifests their heritage at a site they have been quietly calling their summer home for several decades now. To commence with an introduction of the site, in the proximate expanse of Taxila, a region that has borne witness to the flourishing of the Gandara civilization, lies the serene and picturesque Shah Allah Ditta, a region that is imbued with its own cultural legacy. This site has served as a haven for devout Buddhists and ascetic Sadhus in the past and also houses the popular limestone caves. While looking at the present-day identity of Shah Allah Ditta, it is apparent that despite its status as a prominent tourist destination, the area struggles to fully realise its potential in terms of visitor attraction. In order to surmount this challenge and incorporate this unique and holistic perspective into the design, the proposed thesis seeks to create an intervention that imperatively considers the intricacies and nuances of the nomadic lifestyle as well as the rich history and culture of Shah Allah Ditta. The aim is to introduce the nomadic lifestyle into the public realm in a way that respects the privacy of the Bakarwals and establishes a symbiotic relationship between the community and its natural context. By doing so, the project aims to bridge the gap between the past and the present, the permanent and the transient, to create an immersive experience that engages with the history and culture of the area and becomes a safe haven for the Bakarwals.