Conventionally, we refer to the land between the Alay Range in the North and the Hindu Kush in the South as 'The Pamirs'. In the East, the Pamirs are bordered by the Kashghar mountains; and in the West the Kuhilal and Darvaz. Counted among the most beautiful places on earth, the land of the Pamirs has both the mystery of a place that is extremely remote yet during its golden age The Great Silk Road wound its way right through it. Caravans from many different countries passed through the Pamirs on their way to China, Persia, Central Asia, and Europe. The major part of the Pamirs though never got exposed to these bearers of different cultures. Until recently, there were inhabitants of remote valleys who were unaware of the existence of animals so common toCentral Asia as the donkey, the dog or the hen.

The musical art of the Pamirs at first glance and upon initial listening surprises us by the diversity of its expressions and its genres that take their origin from ancient rites and customs closely; taking into consideration though the above, the many migrations, the cultural influences that have merged and collided on the territory of the Pamirs, it is little wonder that the musical culture is so rich in these parts of the world. The remoteness too plays a role in the development of the musical genres; music as a form of entertainment, music to express what you could not say openly through words in another context, music as the ultimate means of communication. Music to accompany the many rituals, the customs and traditions that gave life its distinct rhythm. Music as a means to understand the world, to understand nature, to understand once place in society and in the universe, to ease ones pain and sorrow.

First there was song, a chant to accompany the start of a new stage in life. To get in touch with those who had moved on to the next world. A song to appeal to the heavens, the gods, to be merciful, to appease. Clapping hands, sticks on stones, a bamboo rod, the first musical instruments. There was time on ones hand allowing for the development and refinement of these instruments, of complex rhythm structures, of deep verse. Then the melody, a second instrument, the harmony, that specific harmony of the Pamirs ,that has turned into an art form, a part of world music, which is now available on CD and tapes and which makes us want to get up and start our journey, when we listen to these faint tunes.

According to ancient Aryan views, the unity of Light and Sound gave birth to the Universe. The sound is a permanent symbol of the creating deity. The entire world and man himself are governed by the cosmic music expressed in the harmony of the Whole and its parts. Sound runs through time and space.

All natives of the Pamirs are good musicians and listeners with a fine ear for nuances. In every Pamir household you may find the indispensable instruments; rubob, tanbur, setor, gidjak, nai and doira which are the family's most sacred posessions. In case of fire, earthquake, or any other natural disaster, the instruments are the first to be saved. People say that the sound of a rubob, the favourite instrument in the Pamirs, represents the voices of a crying tree or that of a newborn lamb.

The musician is the conductor of his culture, of the feeling of his people, the conductor of his own life's experience, his love. The music comes from deep within, yet it follows the patterns and rules that were established long before that musician was born. Technique is important but it is not the essential element. No real musician will be making music without a purpose, a mission or make music in inappropriate company. There is a right time and place for music.

Having been protected from foreign influences for many centuries, the singing and musical art of the Pamirs have preserved the very initial stage of the spirit of the Aryan people. Music from the Pamirs is considered nowadays to be of paramount importance to musicologiest and the grand masters from Iran and India, who are able to understand the raw stages of their very personal heritage.

Traditionally, a group of the women meets the visitors, they play on big tambourines - doiras. Each of them follows her own rhythm, and together they create a joyful and inviting beat. Only the Pamir women are able to create this archaic type of music. They are truly unique.

The musical art of the Pamirs is indeed incredible, surprising, and beautiful.