Pashto Girls Dance Guide

Warkrora da shamalo pa ghumaar ke Rasha kawee da gulono lewanai... She walks like a branch of the Kandahar vine, Ankala (ankle bells) whispering secrets of the shrine. Her braid is a river of midnight and honey, Her eyes are the loot of a sun that’s still sunny.

(When you dance – it’s the war of roses When you sway – it’s the hue of golden poses Sister, dance your own rose with honor Pashtun freedom – the arrival of flowers...) pashto girls dance

Da Gulono Rasha (The Arrival of the Flowers) Warkrora da shamalo pa ghumaar ke Rasha kawee

She holds the hem of her kameez like a letter, The pleats unfold tales that only hearts know better. Not a word from her lips – but her shoulder blade speaks Of mountains, of wars, of the peace that she seeks. (When you dance – it’s the war of

But look – she’s not weeping, she’s not a lament. Her wrists cut the air like a happy event. She stamps on the ground where her grandmother prayed, And says with her hips: “I am not afraid.” “They said a Pashto girl dances only in her courtyard. So she brought the courtyard – into her heartbeat. They said our dance is grief disguised. But watch her. This is fire. This is pride. This is a thousand weddings in one stride.” Final Chorus (faster, joyful, clapping crescendo):

Chorus (in Pashto, transliterated): Zama shpa da stargo pa ranga rawali Laila da, da khudai da jannat ghwakhwali Kana che ta nachee – da rogano jang de Da khkulay ta nachee – da da zarghuno rang de