A winter Chilly Morning and a Farmer

Winter mornings are mostly pleasant but it is tough to work in the fields in so sever cold. But farmers have no choice but to work specially watering their fields.

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December sunrise

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Shepherds of Naran Valley Pakistan

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Religion:

Kalash religion share many traits of myths, society, echoes according to Sanskrit language but it is different than the religion’s traditions deployed in India. This religion is more like their neighbors of Nuristan but totally different than other communities around them. These people belong to the northeast region of Afghanistan.

Many writers of different countries described this religion in different ways. Professor Barbara A. West from University of Rochester said in “Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania”:

“Religion is a form of Hinduism that recognizes many gods and spirits.” that “Given their Indo-Aryan language, the religion of the Kalasha is much more closely aligned to the Hinduism of their Indian neighbors”

E.J. Michael Witzel in his book

“The Origins of the World’s Mythologies”

called this valley

“Pre-Hindu Kalash”

The journalist Frud Bezhan unites all of these perceptions, unfolding the religion followed by the Kalash as being

“a form of ancient Hinduism infused with old pagan and animist beliefs.”

Rituals:

This Isolated region of Kalash is strongly related to the Pre-Islamic Nuristan due to their culture, values, and unique festivals. Richard Strand said about this region after spending three decades in these valleys that:

“Before their conversion to Islam, the Nuristan’s practiced a form of ancient Hinduism. Infused with accretions developed locally. They acknowledged a number of human-like deities who lived in the unseen Deity World. “

Their also a general belief in these mountains about fairies which are now referred to as “Peri” in Urdu or Persian. But still called Apsaras in some regions and they believed to be helping the hunters and killing the enemies. Harvard professor Michael Witzel summarizes the faith of Kalash people:

“In myth, it is notably the role of Indra, his rainbow and his eagle who is shot at, the killing of his father, the killing of the snake or of a demon with many heads, and the central myth of releasing the Sun from an enclosure. Importantly, the division between two groups of deities (Devalog) and their intermarriage has been preserved, and this dichotomy is still re-enacted in rituals and festivals, especially the Chaumos. Ritual still is Among the Kalash it is basically, though not always, temple-less, involving fire, sacred wood, three circumambulations. Some features already have their Vedic, and no longer their Central Asian form.”

These are believed which are famous in these mountains from decades but now due to the arrival of Islamic culture these people are turning towards Islam. Kalash culture religion and is also highly influenced by Islamic Values and Ideology. They believe in one Supreme God it is one example of influence.

If you have more to add in this article please comment and also like & share with others this historic era of Pakistan.

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When the summer Season arrived people of Kalash celebrated this festival of Chilam Joshi. For honoring the summer and abundance of dairy products. This festival is a message of peace for the world. It’s an opportunity for the people of remote areas to watch and enjoy the true spirit of Kalash culture and traditions. People from all around the world arrive here to enjoy this festival.  Mostly tourists after attending this festival want to rejoin it every year because it is unique in its nature.

Why they celebrate it?

In this festival people of kalasha valleys pray for the safety of their fields, animals and then distribute the meat and dairy products among the loved ones.

They are very fond of music and dance so they celebrate this festival on the beats of drums. Which can be heard in the whole valley. Both men and women take part in these cultural traditions. They make circles by joining hands and enjoy these moments with music.

Celebrations:

That’s why Kalash valley is famous in music and dance festivals. These people are unique in their culture and also known as the most relaxed, loving people in the world. They are living a calm and relaxed life in this place. They are very connected to nature and they mostly celebrate this connection with celebrations of their festivals at different times of the year. Also by this method, they thanked God.

Chilam Joshi is the most famous festival in this valley. This is celebrated every year in the month of May from 13 May to 16 May. According to their belief, God protects their herds in summer that’s why they celebrate the Chilam Joshi festival to thank God.

Some Other Festivals of Kalash:

Some other festivals of Kalash people which they celebrate in different times are following:

• Uchal festival ( August 20-21)
• Phool Festival (mid-October)
• Chaumas festival(December 7-22)

Comment here to share your memories of kalash valley with us or if you want to ask or improve somthing here thanks.

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By Air:

Flights from Islamabad to Chitral Easily available and operate daily. It will take approximately 50 minutes to reach Chitral and later you can hire a jeep for the Kalash Valleys.

By Road:

Islamabad to Kalash Valley Distance: Approx. 14-17 hours of Travel Time (500 km)

Detail Route Breakdown:

Islamabad via M1 -> Rashkai Interchange -> Mardan -> Dargai -> Malakand Pass -> Batkhela -> Chakdara -> Timergara -> Dir -> Lowari Top/Tunnel -> Darosh -> Chitral -> Kalash Valleys.

A road between Darosh and Chitral leads to Kalash Valley. Kalasha Valleys have the following Locations to see. So you can enjoy their Lanscape and scenic beauty.

1. Chitral  -> Bumburet:    Distance (40km, 2 hours)
2. Bumburet  -> Rambur: Distance (10 km, 45 minutes)
3. Bumburet  -> Birir:        Distance (30km, 2 hours)

Best time of the Year to visit:

During the spring Season the weather of these valleys is nearly unpredictable. As rain and snowfall are common here. Winter is not a good choice due to harsh weather conditions so ways can be blocked by snowfall. The ideal time to visit these valleys is from June to September. As at this time of the year temperature will be normal.  Also 2nd reason is that you will be able to witness some great festivals at this time of the year and study the culture of these valleys.

So enjoy your tour with these guidelines if you ar planing to visit these heaven like valleys and best of luck if you have any questions you can post here in comments.

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Memories of Kalash Valley: It was not a long time ago when I was floating in dreamy and magical clouds and cool breeze of northern areas of Pakistan. I have visited so many areas. Some are stuck in my mind like a puzzle. The beauty of northern areas has no match, Kalash Valley is one of them. Some memories are long lasting especially the mornings and evenings spend in northern areas. It felt like chilling breeze was permeating in the bones.

“My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature.” – Claude Monet.

Life in Kalash Valley:

Kalash or kalasha people have the most unique and extraordinary culture in the world. At least 5,000 Kalash people live across three small valleys in the Hindukush Mountains. it is situated near the city of Chitral In KPK province of Pakistan.

Cultural Values:

Their cultural beauty and customs are amazing. As these people are considered as descendent from Alexander the great and living in these valleys from thousands of year.

This society is totally different from the culture of Pakistan. Their one person’s roof is the corridor of another person. It felt like we are climbing on a tree house while visiting the staircases of this culture. Wooden window frames, front stairs made of massive stones and villages surrounded by glorious green mountains. For us, this is unusual as houses were closely connected as well as their hearts. They have something that our modern cities lack.

Few lone adventurers like me travel to these valleys every year. Where very low places for accommodation are available like private houses or some shops and some rustic hotels in Bumburet. So settle in what is available there.

“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” – Cesar Chavez.

Location of the Kalash Valley:

Kalash Valley is one of its kind and one of the most beautiful valleys in Pakistan. It is located in District Chitral, province of KPK here is located on the map. Also, Its culture is very unique and dated back thousands of years. The kalasha people living here are from Dardic Family of Indo-Iranian branch. Kalash language is called Kalasha. This whole valley is surrounded by Hindukush mountain range.

This valley is has its own prestigious cultural values and pleasant beauty of its atmosphere. Kalash valley weather is so pleasant that’s why thousands of people from all around the world visit this valley.

Customs of Kalash Valley:

These people have very distinct customs from other communities of Pakistan. So they are one of the hundreds of minorities in Pakistan. The Kalash people and Kalash culture have a strict code of customs and religious quirks. They are the mythical tribe described in Kipling’s “The Man Who Would Be King”.

Kalash people wish to restrict marriages outside these valleys because Kalash people’s religion is different. Cost is very high for fulfilling this requirement of culture. Because they have a low population rate so that’s why they have a little choice. So either they have to marry out or invites outsiders, Muslims to marry in.

House customs:

Kalash men and kids look after the goats in higher pastures and Kalash women take care of domestic chores in the lower valley. They divide their family homes into three zones. It is suggested that you should saty only in kitchen, garden or in your room. The air of the valley is crisp and in summer tinged with the perfume of summer flowers and wild herbs.

Festivals:

In most of the festivals, the sound of drums could be heard in the whole valley. Young Kalash men and Kalash Girls wearing colorful traditional clothes dance together. Men at the party enjoy homemade liquor and wine.

Famous Food items of Kalash Culture:

Bread:

Bread which is common part of foods.  You can enjoy “Tikki”. This is a bread baked on coals in a specific mold. This is the part of breakfast. You can also taste, Khesta, Rishiki, and Phulka variations which are served with honey and cheese.

Dry Meat Dishes:

Roasted mutton is mostly used in these valleys seasoned with salt. It is called “Rondijhzu”. You will enjoy mouthwatering “Taaw Kahak” which is a very delicious and crispy roasted chicken. “Taaw Machi”, is the cuisine which contains brown and rainbow trouts.

Soups:

Soups are also famous and healthy which include tasty and vast variations like “Chitrali noodle soup”, “Kalli”, Lajhaik (like Kashmiri hareesa), “Leganu”,  “khhamalogh” and “Kawirogh”.

Some Traditional Dishes:

The traditional dished of Chitral are, “Ghalmandi”, “Qalaibat”, “Shroshrp” and “Pushur Tikki”.

Transport and Road Conditions:

Small patches on the way to Chitral are messy and bumpy with the narrow road which consumes more time. Road to Dir is fine latter you have to worry some narrow and uneven patches. After Chitral, you have to hire Jeeps as road become really nasty and the journey become slow. But dont worry these jeeps are managed properly for these roads. Otherwise it would be very difficult tor each there.

Famous Places:

Birir Valley:

It is a small and beautiful valley. It has the lowest altitude in all three valleys. it is located 45 Km from Chitral and it is up to 2 hours of drive on a bumpy, dirt road. There are fewer meadows here as compare to Bumburet. These valleys are not so open. (Biri Travel Guide)

Rambur Valley:

It is the 2nd most beautiful valley in Chitral district and Kalash region, here mountain ridges high, rivers are wider. This the end of high ranges of valleys here Nuristani people have some villages where people have red hairs and Armenian features. (Rambur Travel Guide)

Bamburat Valley:

Bumburet valley is the largest of the three valleys. This valley has sparkling streams, apricot and walnut trees, shady meadows and a wider range of mountains with the diversity of green fields. Here hotels are available but mostly oustsider are running them so economically not beneficial for the valley. Almost 9 miles from here a route begins which leads towards the Shawal Pass. This is one of the highest points in these valleys. This route is also called ancient silk road which is covered by high cedar trees and high ranges of mountains. (Bamburat Travel Guide)

So have you visited this mysterious Kalash Valley? Let us know about your experience in the comments also share this article with your friends and family.

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