Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Fall 2025

Date of Submission

2025-07-31

Advisor

Dr. Ali Gibran Siddiqui

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Baricho, Dom, Marginalization, Caste, Identity formation, Gender, Oral history, Memory, Language loss, Collective identity

Abstract

Unfair exclusion in a society often leads to social problems, one of which is marginalization. The Baricho (also called Dom) community in Hunza is associated with professions such as music and metalwork. They have faced social and structural exclusion due to traditional caste hierarchies. This research examines how Baricho women remember and express their community’s history and how their narratives challenge dominant portrayals of that history. Although they share the same Ismaili faith as the surrounding population in Hunza, they continue to experience caste-based discrimination. This study focuses on the experiences of Baricho women, who suffer dual marginalization due to their gender and caste. Through oral histories, this thesis explores how the women in Mominabad use storytelling, silence, and memory to reshape their identities and challenge internalized stigma. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Primary data was collected from nine Baricho women selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring themes in their narratives and address the research question. The findings reveal that identity is not static; rather, it is formed through everyday acts of narration, resistance, and cultural practice. These women actively reshape their social standing by claiming skills, recalling royal ancestry, and highlighting their current successes in education and employment. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about caste, gender, and voice in South Asia. It advocates for greater recognition of how oral narratives can serve as tools for empowerment, continuity, and change.

Pages

72

Additional Files
Presentation.pptx (722 kB)
Final presentation slides for my undergraduate thesis, titled “Narrating History and Identity: Women in the Baricho Community of Hunza.” The slides summarize my research questions, methodology, key findings, limitations, and contributions, and were presented to my supervisor and second reader.
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