Archive
Maasa (maa: fertile - sa: soil)
- Value Adaptation
- Age more than 500 years
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Maasa (maa: fertile - sa: soil)
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Age
more than 500 years
Risk
Low
Genesis
Maasa (fertile/agricultural land) is a mixture of different soils in the area. It is basically the combination of Shosa (greyish white), Massa (sand, silt), Shinajasa (reddish cream), Byangasa (white) along with Khaad (fertilizer). Locals believe that the land has remained fertile and similar in character from over 500 years. The agricultural fields throughout the village appear dark brown because of mixture of three soils, natural fertilizer and water.
Hltanos (boulder platform)
- Value Adaptation
- Age
- Nature Practice/ Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Hltanos (boulder platform)
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Practice/ Product
Risk
High
Genesis
This is large stone platform in the centre of the village Mehdiabad. It was used for extracting oil from apricot seeds. However, during offseason it was used as a communal spot for discussions on important matters of the community. Children now use this platform to play games with small stones. In present times the use of this stone platform is limited since the practice of oil extraction is almost diminished.
maple trees (shingal) Chinar tree
- Value Adaptation
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
maple trees (shingal) Chinar tree
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
Chinar tree - Shingal was the symbol of royalty and was affiliated with the Raja of that time. Only the Royal family was allowed to plant it so it was known as the Royal Trees. During the time of festivals and for making important announcements, Chinar tree was used as a focal point in the community by the Raja. It was also used as a crop collection point. In Mehdiabad the festivities of Mefung festival start from the Chinar tree.
Tipu
- Value Adaptation
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Tipu
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
Tipu, as the locals call it, is a grain storage house that was owned by the Raja. After the Raja's death the storage house is owned by the government now. It was used to collect the season's produce and store it for later use.
100 year old house
- Value Abandonment
- Age 100 years old
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
100 year old house
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Age
100 years old
Risk
High
Genesis
The 100 year old vernacular house is built on the traditional architecture design and still stands at the central location in the community. Though it managed to withstand the test of times but presently due to lack of maintenance, it is in a deteriorating condition.
Gap Gygi Stagho
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Gap Gygi Stagho
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Risk
High
Genesis
It was the main and only entrance door for the clustered settlement of the Mehdiabad village. The wooden door was built to keep the village protected from intruders. In older times this wooden gate would be closed by the evening and everyone within the community had to be back home before the gate was closed. Once a protective barrier for the 4 tribes, the wooden door is no longer in use and only few remains of the asset can be seen.
Khangpeow (clustered pattern)
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Khangpeow (clustered pattern)
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
Medium
Genesis
Mehdiabad comprised of 4 tribes namely Killzhong, Apochara, Mongrong, and Gongma that lived inside a residential complex that were closely clustered together. Within the residential cluster areas were assigned to each tribe. The vernacular design of the settlement kept it protected from the invaders, high speed winds and earthquakes. With the expansion of the population the clustered pattern is now disrupted and mud houses are being replaced by cement structures.
4 masjids
- Value Adaptation
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
4 masjids
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
Medium
Genesis
Inside the original walled settlement of Mehdiabad there used to be 4 mosques dedicated for each tribe living within the settlement. These mosques were constructed at the 4 corners of the fort each for the 4 tribes namely Killzhong, Apochara, Mongrong, and Gongma. The original mosques were constructed with wood, soil and sand and have now been replaced by cement,steel sheets and wood after renovation.
Story based on supernatural beings
- Value Attachment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Story based on supernatural beings
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
Walnut trees in the community are usually associated with supernatural beings. There are stories of phantom living on the walnut tree. Children and women were often instructed to stay away from the trees. These stories are vanishing with the passage of time.
No specific name/stupa carving 1
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
No specific name/stupa carving 1
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
Rock carvings can be found at Rzhong. This site is believed to be used by Buddhists for religious practices. Due to weathering and human vandalism, surface of the rock is slightly damaged and it will disappear within few year if not preserved.
Bodhiphha (Son of Buddha)/Buddha rock
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Bodhiphha (Son of Buddha)/Buddha rock
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
Locals call it Strinjamo (Female ogress). After the advent of Islam, religious clergy or mullas told people that this Buddha Sculpture is a Strinjamo and advised them to avoid this area. Since it was place of ogress, people were warned that if anyone visited the site this ogress will eat him/her. There were two more Buddha figures (Maitreya) where the Central Buddha is visible from top and bottom but the mid area is missing. The asset has experienced massive degradation during the past 40 years.
Drahmo Bogho (cold house)
- Value Adaptation
- Age
- Nature Practice
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Drahmo Bogho (cold house)
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Practice
Risk
Medium
Genesis
This site was used by travelers for resting and by refugees as shelter in 1947-48 and 1965-72 wars. Local community used this site as a traditional refrigerator. Due to vandalism this asset is being damaged from inside.