Kalash is a picturesque and scenic in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Unfortunately, due to its remote location, most of its beauty is still left unseen by the world. The Kalash or the Kalasha are the only pagan minority living in the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The language of the Kalash is the Kalasha and is a Dardic language. The total population of Kalash Valley is about 5000. The Kalash people live in three valleys – Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir and they have a unique culture. This is fascinating how Kalashas have preserved their typical lifestyle till today. The inhabitants of Kalash celebrate the three primary festivals during the year;
Spring festival – Chilam Joshi
Summer festival – Uchal
Winter festival – Choimus.
Chilam Joshi Festival
CHILAM JOSHI – THE SPRING FESTIVAL
The Chilam Joshi festival is one of the most important celebrations which celebrated in May each year. This festival is held for 4 days. Chilam Joshi begins with the “Milk Day”. The Kalasha people stockpile milk in their houses ten days prior to the event. During the festival, men and women meet to finding someone to marry. This festival provides a great opportunity to mark the beginning of summer and give a message of peace to the world. The people of the Kalash Valley express gratitude to God, they pray for a successful agricultural year, also for welfare and safeness of their plants and animals.
UCHAL – THE SUMMER FESTIVAL
Uchal, is the summer festival celebrated in August each year. In this festival, Kalashi people celebrate the Uchal Festival pre-harvest with cheese, corn and buttermilk. They are thanking their Creator for the provision of good food and crops. People of Kalash Valley love music and dance on the beat of drums. Women in traditional dresses perform traditional dances. The festival goes on for several days.
CHOIMUS – THE WINTER FESTIVAL
Choimus festival also known as Chitirmas festival celebrated in December every year. Winter festival is celebrated for 2 weeks. Choimus festival is an amazing cultural experience in the Hindukush mountain ranges. Choimus is celebrated without musical instruments in the Rumbur and Bumborate villages but in Birir village with instruments. During the ceremony, the locals practice purifying rituals in order to purify their souls. People go out at night and look for foxes in large numbers, as it is considered fortunate to see them. People from neighboring villages with lit torches gather at Charsue’s dance place. The tribal elders assemble on hilltops to observe the new year’s rising sun. Goat sacrifices are made to the goddess Jastak, and the blood is showered at the Jastarkhan temple. Anyone who wishes to enter the temple must be cleansed by a specific fire ritual, in which a shaman waves juniper braches over the men, women and children.
The Kalash people are unique and mysterious in their own way, as is their culture. The Kalash Valley boosts serene beauty, lush green valleys and fruit farms making it an ideal tourist spot not only in terms of scenic beauty but also cultural diversity and religious spots.
