Kalash

In the mountain valleys of northern Pakistan live the people with most extraordinary rituals, beliefs and culture, the Kalash. Kalash are an ethnic group residing among the towering mountains of Hindu Kush range. Their population is about 6000 and they speak the Kalasha language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of languages (Urdu and Pushto are also understood widely as secondary languages). The word Kalash has been derived from the name of Kafiristan Kalasha which was present in Afghanistan.



These people are polytheists and their culture is completely different from the overall culture of Pakistan. The most remarkable element of their culture is the dress they wear. Women use long black robes and head gears with eye-catching beads, buttons and feathers on it while men distinguish themselves by wearing special woolen hats with feathers and small metallic bells on it. Most men use Shalwar Kameez as their general dress. Nature plays central role in the lives of these people. Every year a number of festivals and sacrifices are arranged to give thanks to gods. The three main festivals include Joshi festival in late May, the Uchau in autumn, and the Caumus in midwinter. Crows represent the ancestors of Kalash people. That is why crows are treated with respect and are fed at special occasions and festivals. In general the Kalash have a close link with Indo-Iranian traditions.

A man dancing during Uchaw festival

The Kalash were ruled by Mehtar of Chitral from 1700s onward. Although the original Kafiristan Kalasha (Afghanistan) was converted to Nuristan by Amir Abdur Rehman after the Durand agreement in 1890s, the Kalash of Pakistan enjoy a complete social and religious liberty and have strong relations with the Muslims of nearby areas. Strong measures are being taken to conserve the Kalash language as it has been declared endangered by UNESCO. Currently about 5,000 people speak Kalasha. Badshah Munir Bukhari unicoded the Kalasha Language in 2005. Working in close collaboration with various international researchers and linguists. Today the Kalash people are prospering and their numbers are increasing. Tourism now makes up a large portion of the economic activities of the Kalash. To cater to these new visitors, small stores and guest houses have been erected, providing new luxury for visitors of the valleys. People attempting to enter the valleys have to pay a toll to the Pakistani government, which is used to preserve and care for the Kalash people and their culture.