🌙 The Mysterious Night of “Chale Ja Biyoki” — A Real Childhood Story from Gilgit-Baltistan
Introduction
In the snowy valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, where winters are long and nights are filled with stories, people once lived a life beautifully connected with nature and community.
During the old days, before electricity reached the villages, families used to gather at night around a warm fire — a tradition called “Chale Ja Biyoki”, meaning sitting together around the firelight.
They shared tales, laughed together, and enjoyed winter treats — dry apricots (fator), apricot seeds (hani), almonds (badam), and walnuts (axho) — while the fire crackled on a special wood known as chalo.
This is a true story from my grandmother’s childhood, one she often told us during long winter nights.
🔥 A Night of Gathering
One winter evening, my grandmother, then a little girl, went to her aunt’s house. That night, her aunt’s family planned to join their neighbors for Chale Ja Biyoki.
Everyone gathered and began walking toward the neighbor’s home. Her aunt told my grandmother to wait for another aunt who had stayed behind to fetch something and then follow them together.
🌌 The Lonely Walk
My grandmother waited, but the second aunt took too long. Worried that she’d be left behind, she called out loudly to the group ahead —
“Wait for me! I’m coming!”
But they didn’t hear her. The cold wind carried her voice away as they walked further.
So, she decided to follow their path alone, walking quickly through the narrow field trails — the irrigation channels (water paths) villagers used as shortcuts between homes. The night was dark, and the only light came from the moon and the faint glow of fire from distant homes.
😨 The Strange Encounter
As she hurried along the water channel near a small waterfall, she suddenly bumped into something.
It felt warm, almost hot, and covered in long hair. She could hear it breathing heavily, as if alive.
Startled, she whispered,
“Aunt… is that you?”
There was no reply.
She called again, trembling,
“Aunt! I followed you! Why don’t you answer me?”
But the strange figure remained silent. A chill ran down her spine. Her heart raced. She felt something was not human — something unusual.
Terrified, she stepped back slowly, then turned and ran as fast as she could through another path toward her neighbors’ house.
🏠 Safe Arrival
When she reached the gathering, out of breath and pale, her aunt asked,
“What happened? Why are you so scared?”
My grandmother told her everything — the dark path, the silent figure, and how it felt alive but strange. Her aunt scolded her gently,
“You should have waited for us or come with the other aunt! It’s never safe to walk alone at night.”
✨ Moral of the Story
Never walk alone in the dark — even familiar paths can hide the unknown.
Always stay close to your loved ones and listen to their advice — it may save you from unseen dangers.
🕯️ Cultural Reflection
This story reminds us of the rich oral traditions of Gilgit-Baltistan — where every winter night carried warmth, community, and a touch of mystery.
Our grandparents’ tales not only entertained but also taught valuable life lessons about safety, patience, and the unseen wonders of the world around us.
Read more interesting stories here:
1. The Mysterious Flying Object — A Real-Life Childhood Story from the Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan
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