Nature with MM Raza

Gurgura is a fruit of a wild plant that grows in the mountains. It resembles phalsa and cherry in shape and is slightly smaller than ber (Indian jujube). While phalsa is sour, gurgura is extremely sweet. Gurgura naturally grows in the mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially on those mountain slopes where there is little rainfall. Natural trees of this fruit can be found in abundance in the hilly areas of Karak, Kohat, Darra Adam Khel, Shakardara, Orakzai Agency, Kurram Agency, and Nowshera, particularly in North and South Waziristan, Khyber Agency, and FR regions. They are also found in Dir and Swat. The Potohar region also has gurgura plants. In Hindko, it is called "Ghangore," while its botanical name is Monotheca buxifolia, and in English, it is referred to as "Wild Black Berry."

The gurgura plant first produces flowers, followed by green spherical fruit that eventually turns reddish and finally black. The size of the gurgura plant is similar to that of an olive plant. While the olive plant has no thorns, the gurgura plant is filled with sharp and long thorns, making harvesting the fruit a challenging task.

Because it contains a good amount of iron, consuming it is beneficial for addressing iron deficiency. Additionally, it helps relieve constipation, acts as an antiseptic, kills intestinal worms, and provides benefits for many stomach-related ailments.

Snakes often inhabit gurgura trees, so caution is necessary when picking the fruit. Locals make small baskets to collect them and bring them home to eat. Some people also sell them in markets, currently at a rate of 150 rupees per kilogram. Gurgura is not cultivated regularly but grows naturally like ber.

Eating gurgura stains the tongue and lips purple, which is why it is frequently mentioned in Pashto poetry and prose, where it is noted to enhance the beauty of lovers and young maidens.

**Pashto Poetry Examples:**

"God, let the gurgura never ripen
Maidens go with red lips and return with black lips"

"I have come to the mountain to appease my beloved
I am picking gurgura, I am picking gurgura"

Khushal Khan Khattak also mentioned gurgura multiple times in his poetry. Khushal Baba belonged to the mountainous region where gurgura grows abundantly.

Gurgura is not just a fruit or a plant but also a symbol of the beauty, history, and culture of the Pashtun land. With gurgura, sweet gifts filled with love and affection are sent to friends and relatives. With gurgura, we continue to hear romantic songs and sweet, love-filled poetry.

"Bring me ripe gurgura
It's okay if my lips' redness turns black, my dear"

"We will go together on the high mountain ridges
There are so many black, ripe gurgura, half for you, half for me"

Currently, as we are in the city of Thal, the surrounding areas have ripe gurgura, and we are enjoying eating them.