Pakistan is a country that is blessed with most beautiful landscapes of the world, especially, the northern regions – amazing Himalayan peaks, Arabian Sea, deserts and historic forts. All these make our Pakistan one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations. The Kalash live in three valleys by the Afghan border in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The grandest of all is that the Kalashas carry a romantic view of being the descendants of Alexander the Great Many historians believe that they are indigenous tribe of the neighboring area of Nuristan also called their land is called Kafiristan (the land of Kafirs). Poets have described the beauty of these areas, and many have called them “paradise on earth.”
The people of Kalash have a rich culture and are very strong footed about their identity. These people stand out from the remaining tribes, cultures and communities of Pakistan due to their distinct culture, religious practices and festivals.
Religion
The people of Kalash are very specific about their religion and break relations with any of them who convert to Islam. They are not allowed to be part of the community after the converts to Islam, because they keep their identity strong.
Festivals
The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs drastically from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. These are polytheists and nature plays a very significant and spiritual role in their daily lives. Even as part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals are held to thank the huge resources of their three valleys. Kalash stories and folk tales are compared to ancient Greece, but they are very close to Indo-Iranian (Vedic and Zoroastrian ) traditions.
Languages
The language of the Kalash is the Kalasha and is a Dardic language (sub group of Indo-Aryan languages spoken in Northern Pakistan, eastern Afghanistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir). There is no proper Kalash script. However, recent progress has been made in introducing a formal script for the language.
Valleys
Kalash includes three unique and amazing valleys: Bumburet (Kalash: Mumuret), Rumbur (Rukmu), and Birir (Biriu). These places are famous for celebrating the festivals of Joshi, Uchau and Chawmos.
Joshi: It is celebrated in May and marks the arrival of spring. People wear new clothes and women accessorize heavily, girls are sent to the hill side for dancing and singing. Women decorate their houses and collect milk from the cattle, One year old babies and their mothers are also purified in this festival.
Uchau: This festival takes place in mid August at the altar of Mahandeo where newly made cheese is brought from the pastures. Dancing and singing again forms an integral part of the festival.
Caumus: It is the most important festival held in mid December.
Cultural dressing
Kalash women usually wear long black robes, often embroidered with cowrie shells. For this reason, they are known in Chitral as “The Black Kafirs.” Men have adopted the Pakistani shalwar kameez, while children wear smaller versions of adult clothing after the age of 4.
