26/03/2026
This cute little girl says “Je Papaa Shakar-e Xil Baa” I am my Papa’s sugary water (Translation from Burushaski).
At first glance, it sounds simple, almost playful. But behind it lies a history, a culture, and a depth of love that modern expressions often fail to capture.
Hunza, especially before the 1970s, life was shaped by isolation and scarcity. Sugar was not an everyday item; for many, it was a luxury rarely seen, sometimes only heard about. Trade routes were limited, resources were few, and people lived with what nature provided. In such a setting, even something as ordinary as sweetened water became extraordinary , a symbol of joy, rarity, and comfort.
So when a mother or father would call their child “my Shakar-e Xil,” it was not just a term of endearment. It was a comparison to something precious, something deeply desired, something that brought happiness in the simplest yet most meaningful way. It reflected a love that did not depend on abundance, but on appreciation.
This little girl, innocently saying those words, carries forward that legacy. Her voice holds the same purity, the same unfiltered affection that has passed through generations. There is no performance in it, no exaggeration , just a natural expression of belonging and love.
In a world that often complicates emotions, this reminds us of something essential: that the deepest bonds are often expressed in the simplest words. And sometimes, being someone’s “sugary water” is the highest form of love one can receive.
KARIMABAD HUNZA (18 MARCH 2026) -
