KALASHThe valley ofColors & festivals

LocationKalash are indigenous people who lives in the Chitral

District of Khyber Pakhtunkhua. Kalash people

are mostly found in “Rumbur”, “Bumburet” and “Birir”.

HistoryKalash people are Hellenic descendants of the

armies of the Alexander the great. They have

sustained their ancient culture and traditions since

the 4th century B.C.

Religion

The Kalash are often referred to as

'polytheist', most Kalash claim that

they are monotheist, worshiping one

creator god, ‘Dezau‘.

They are also known as “The Black

Kafirs”.

Festivals

The Kalash People celebrate three main festivals in

year.

Joshi: celebrated in May to welcome the spring.

Uchaw: celebrated in august to ensure good crops and

wheat.

Chaumos: Observed in December for more than two

weeks, it is the grand festival and celebrated to welcome the

new year.

The Kalash people are famous for their festivals.

There are much dancing, Singing and Music. Drum is the only instrument

They use during their festivals.

Traditional DressKalash people have a unique and colorful dress that

serves as the most obvious symbol of identity for the

Kalash community,

Their women usually wear long black robes, often

embroidered with cowrie shells. For this reason, they

are known in Chitral as

“The Black Kafirs”

They also wear beautiful head dress made from

shells, buttons and twinkling bells. Its weight is about four

pounds and their burden is carried out joyfully.

Nature in the valley

Kalash valley is lush green with chilled water

streams, valley is full of apple and apricot trees, but

their main crop is maze, women harvest the maze

crop with local songs.

Funeral Rituals

Kalash people leave their dead on a wooden coffin

exposed to the weather and let it rot. After one year

a wooden statue is placed near the coffin in a

ceremony to project the bravery of the dead man.

Thank You

Maliha kazi