Basic Information:
Kalaash valley is a natural as well as the historical site populated by ancient tribes. This valley is located in the south of the district Chitral, and this is about 20 Km from Chitral District. Kalaash valley is a group of the three main valleys named as Brir, Bumburet and Rambur. This valley is 1550 – 2309 meters high from the sea level. It takes more than two hours from the Chitral District by road and the main source of transportation for this area is local jeep. Foreign tourists have to get permits for visiting this valley. There is no official fee is to get permit. One can take this permit easily from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Foreign tourists have to pay toll tax of Rs. 10 per person and local tourist have to pay one Rupee for the toll.
Brief History :
The Kalaash peoples are considered as the direct descendants of the the Alexander the Great. Some other says that Kalaash people are basically came from the Afghanistan. And there is another story is told about the People of Kalaash that they are the people who migrated from Afghanistan to Chitral District in the Second Century B.C.
Language and Religion:
Kalaash people are usually speak Kalaasha Language. Kalaasha is also the religion of the Kalaash people mostly these are called as the Kafirs. These are the people lived in the remote valleys of Bumburet, Brir and Rambur. There are estimated six thousand speakers of Kalaasha, of which more than half are converted to the Muslims other still follow the kalaasha religion.
Bumburate:
Bumburet is the largest and the most beautiful valley of the Kafir Kalaash.This is the valley where most of the Kafir Kalaash tribes live. Local people wear traditional dresses. The Kalaash have their great own culture and traditions. The little villages are built on the slope of the Kalaash near the rivers.
Rambur:
Rambur is a valley which is twenty miles from the Chitral District. Really is a beautiful place to watch. People had there great festivals and they rejoice them with full of music and dance. Rambur is a valley full of nature.
Brir:
This valley is located at a distance of twenty One miles from the Chitral. These people had unique and amazing culture. Peoples are famous all over the world due to their colorful dresses and dances. Brir valley is easily accessible by a local jeep driver via Ayun.
Festivals To Watch :
Kalaash has four kind of festivals. The people all over the valley get together for these festivals, and shows the unity to all over the world. The sings, dance and beautifully moves like a traditional way. If you join them you definitely gone into the history. These are descries as under.
Joshi / Chilimjusht Festival:
This is the spring festival starts from middle of the may and last for four days normally. Before the festivals starts women and girls gather from all over the valley and start decorating their houses. This festivals is celebrated for the safeguard of the goats and the shepherd.local wine and milk product are shared. The women then sprinkle milk on Goddess “ Jestak “ the protector of their children and home. Festival starts from the Rambur valley as the chief of the tribe sacrifice the goats to the Gods. Later the festival moves on to the bumboret and ends up at Brir.
All the members get togather to perform the worlds famous Kalaasha Dance. They dance in a circle men and women rejoice fully this festival. The females wearing their traditional black robes, ornate cowries shelled head dresses and adorned with colored necklaces.
Uchal Festival:
This festival is starts in August. Festival is celebrated as the harvesting the wheat and barley and bringing down the cheese from the high pastures. This festival is celebrated for the safeguard the crops. This is celebrated in Rumbur and Bumboret valleys. The people sings and dance like the other festivals traditionally.
Phoo Festival:
Phoo festival is only held in Brir valley at the end of September. This festival in celebrated for the harvesting the grapes and walnut. Grapes are the main item for making the wine for the festivals. This festival is also related with the returning of the shepherdfrom the high pastures. People also like to dance and sings in traditional way.
Chomos Festival:
This festival is starts as the winter season begun normally it start from mid December. This festival is observed for the betterment of the living persons and for the peace of the dead souls. Pray for the crops and the safeguard for the goats. While the whole valley purified for the coming year. Torch lit processions are led from all over the nearby villages and gathered at the “charsue” which is the main dancing place.
Most of the festivals are being celebrated indoors. The blood from the sacrificed goats sprinkled at the Jastak An temple.
Kailash people love the music and dance and their instruments are drums and flutes. Their festivals and colorful dances reflects joy, peace and friendship. Once you visit this place you will definitely like the innocence and the beauty of the nature and the people lives there. You will got unforgettable memories from here. Best wishes take care.
