The beautiful valleys of Rumbur, Brumbret and Birir combine to form what the world know is Kalash or Kalasha. Located at an elevation of 5,476-7,576 feet and 32-36 Kilometers (20-22 miles) south of Chitral, Kalasha are a group of Dardic indigenous people. They form the smallest minority community in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with a population just around 3000 to 4000. The people residing in these valleys are the prehistoric pagan tribes of Pakistan, also referred to as Kafir Kalash, meaning the wearers of the black robes. There is no concrete evidence suggesting their origin, as many mysteries and controversies are attached with them. However, a legend states that Macedonian conqueror Alexander’s soldiers settled in Chitral, and therefore are regarded as the originators of the Kalash.
For living, the people of Kalash have constructed small villages on the hillsides near banks of the streams. The houses built are of rough-hewn logs and are double-storied due to gradient of the slopes. The valleys of Kalash generally have an alpine climate. Also, the region is extremely fertile with intensive agricultural growth opportunities, and the mountainside encompassing rich oak forests. Apples, Walnuts, Maize, Grapes, Apricots and Wheat are some of the major foodstuffs grown in the area.
Kalash has a unique culture that differs from its neighboring areas in many ways. The males and females in Kalash are allowed open contact with each other, without any objection raised. Then, the people of Kalash are very strict about their religion. They practice Polytheism, believing in 12 Gods and Goddesses, and nature has an extremely imperative and spiritual role in their routine life.
The people of Kalash celebrate various festivals throughout the year. However, there are three main festivals that Kalashas rejoice with great fervor. First is the Joshi festival which is celebrated in May, as it marks the arrival of spring. On this occasion, the Kalashas wear new clothes, women heavily equip themselves with ornaments and girls are sent to the hillside for dancing and singing. Women beautify their houses and collect milk from the cattle. One year old babies and their mothers are also purified in this celebration. Second is Uchau that takes place in mid August autumn at the altar of Mahandeo. During this festival, newly made cheese is brought from the pastures, and again singing and dancing are organized to cheer this moment. The third and the most important festival is of Chawmos. It is celebrated for two weeks in winter between 7 to 22 December, which marks the ending of the year’s fieldwork and harvest. Many goats are sacrificed on this eve, and once again this fiesta is accompanied by dancing and music. The language spoken in Kalash is Dardic, which is a sub-branch of the Indo-Aryan group.
Among these beautiful valleys, the first that comes is Brir. It is situated at the southernmost tip of Chitral at a distance of 34 Kilometers (21 miles), which is easily reachable by jeep-able road via Ayun. Moving forward, the second valley that comes is Bumburet. It is the largest and the most pleasing valley of Kalash. This valley is 36 Kilometers (22 miles) from Chitral and is linked through a jeep-able road. Rambur is the last valley of these three, which is 32 Kilometers (20 miles) from Chitral. The road connecting Rambur is jeep-able. Foreign visitors, who wish to visit Kalash require permits that are issued free of cost by the Deputy Commissioner.
Ahmed Raza is a frequent traveler and loves cricket. He is a graduate in Journalism and works as Assistant Travel Editor for Kluchit.com
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