[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kalasha are the only non-Muslim people in the Hindukush about 3000 Kalasha still practice their pre- Islamic religion Kalasha which has Negative connotations is the Chitral word for the Kalasha. Birr, Bumboret and Rumbur are the common Khowar names for the three valleys inhabited by the Kalasha. In Kalashamun the language of the Kalasha Biri is Called Biriyoo Rumbur is called Roghmo and Bumboret is more Accurately Pronounced as Bomber. Theses valleys lie south and west of Chitral town and west of the Chitral River.

    Kalasha while Irrigated are not terraced villages are just above fields at the base of rocky hills the flat roofed houses are tightly clustered. Carved wooden figures of Kalasha men standing or mounted on horse are called Ganado and honor ancestors. These are now scaring Most having been removed by collectors and museums since the construction of roads into the Kalasha valleys in the 1970s tourists have flooded to see the last survivors of an accident culture. Unfortunately some tourists particularly Pakistan men leer and gawk at the Unveiled Kalasha women tourism is often promoted with the income generated from tourism never reaches them. In Addition Muslim and christen missionaries are working to convert young Kalasha want roads bridges and hospital but they don’t want interference in their culture or religion. They want to be asked before development Projects are brought to the valleys and for those projects to work through Kalasha village organization. When visiting by Sensitive to their condition and try to ensure that at least some financial benefit goes to Kalasha. Some English speaking Kalasha men are happy to tell you more about their culture. Trekking from Valley to Valley offers the opportunity to travel with the Kalasha and to get Know respect and appreciate and their land

    Religion

    Kalasha religion may represent a branch of the Vied religion that entered the Indian Subcontinent through the Hindukush more than 3000 years ago and until the late 19th century was widespread Throughout the region. Kalasha believe in one god the create Deazu. Their other Dewa (gods) function like messengers between Deazu and the Kalasha. The two Principle of Their Religion are the pure and impure altars for the gods the mountains and their goats are examples of the pure whereas the valley floor and the Bashil or women’s birthing and menstrual house are examples of the impure. For Kalasha these two realms meet at the Jestak the house of the female deity of hearth and home in a Kalasha village. The Skylight opening in the ceiling of their place where a mythological iron Palmar connects Heaven and the underworld. Its doorway is flanked by wooden carved ram heads the doorway is always on the impure Downhill valley side. The purest part of the always on the impure Inside below the mountain above here are Found the Statues of gods and sacred juniper branches

    Dress

    Colorful traditional dress both men’s and women’s is the most Conspicuous aspect of Kalasha Culture. The ceremonial big headdress worn by women is kepis made of wool it’s decorated with cowrie shells and other ornaments that hang down the back and provide protection from summer sun. The minor headdress worn regularly by women is a shutout. It’s a woolen ring decorated with cowries that goes around the head with a woven or fingered tail that hangs down the back. The sun shut is worn daily under the Kaput Women near black Woolen or cotton dresses called decorated with embroidery. All Women braid their hair in five plaits two on each side and one in front around their waist is a patio a woolen fringed and decorated belt. Kalasha men have adopted Chitral style Shalwar Kameez and Woolen cap in which they wear a feather traditionally men wore a woven Woolen jacket and while woolen trousers called boot. In winter men wrap colorful leggings called around the lower part of presenting them with embroidered or woven sashes Called Shuman

    Festivals

    Kalasha celebrate their festivals with reunions feasts ceremonies singing and dancing. Ask locally for exact dates their main festivals are dedicated to spring and to future harvests festivities are held in each of the three valleys on consecutive days

    Utchal

    Mid-august celebrated the wheat and barley harvests it includes evening dancing every few days in successive villages in Bumboret and Rumbur

    Phool

    Late September celebrated only in Biri to mark the walnut and grape harvest and the end of wine marking, its origins concern the return of herders from the pastures

    Chaumos

    Mid December a solstice festival with feasting and evening dancing closed to Muslims. Foreigners are expected to participate and possibly offer a goat for sacrifice

    Planning

    Books

    Kalasha solstice by jean Lode is a passionate and detailed study of the Kalasha’s religious Traditions (hardcover). Beyond the northwest Frontier Hindu Kush and Karakoram by Maureen lines has a special focus on Kalasha and current environment issues

    Permits and Regulations

    A tourism Division permit and a licensed mountain guide aren’t necessary although the Kalasha valleys are in a restricted zone. Tourism division’s zone classification is superseded by three Chitral district requirements for foreigners Registering with SP in Chitral requesting permission from the DC in Chitral for visits longer than seven days although staying an extra day or two seems to go unnoticed and paying a toll tax to the border police. The border police Maintain two check posts for the three valleys border police are stationed in Guru in and at the check post at the confluence of Bumboret Gol and Rumbur Gol. Carry your Temporary registration certificates since the police ask for its serial number. The fill out a toll tax from and pay a one-time toll tax of RS 100 Which is valid for all valleys keep your receipt when you plan to visit more than one valley

    Guides and Porters

    Kalasha Prefer that trekkers hire a local guide or porters it’s useful to have someone show you the trails which are step and not always obvious. Ask for recommendations at a hotel or school. Wages are a flat rate of RS 1000 per day.

    You may see sign boards in some hotels from the Kalasha environment protection Society (KEPS). KEPS has issued permits to eight Kalasha guides who are identifiable by their blue uniforms. For your security KEPS encourages everyone to take a guide KEPS guides earn a nominal salary and ask for no pay for their service. A gratuity however is appreciated ask at the mountain inn in Chitral Jinnah Kalasha hotel and Restaurant in Anish or at Kalasha guest house in Guru.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]