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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Vanishing Kalash Culture

Kalash people are rare on this globe earth.They are unique in their features and are said to be descendants of Alexander the Great. They have attained very special features and characteristics due due to crossbreeding and cross marriages. Kalash culture is under multiple pressures. Environment is degrading and devastated by modern developments. Influx of tourists made it worst. Valleys are invaded and attacked by many religious groups. These people need immediate attention by the authorities so that we can preserve this beautiful land and people for our generations to come.

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Life And Kalash Culture

Kalash or kalasha are the people having unique and most endangered culture in the world. They are living in three small valleys in the Hindukush mountains near the city of Chitral In KPK province of Pakistan.  Their cultural beauty and depth is amazing and are very strong points for its survival but it is threatened a lot by the external elements. One of the most dangerous and important factor which is challenging the kalash is the religious encroachment. Clerics of each religion are sending missions to convert these people to their faith.  People from neighbor villages and  from Chitral also invading these valleys and trying to occupy the properties of kalasha people. These people are considered as descendent from Alexander the great and living in these valleys from thousands of year.

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Kalash Valley in Pakistan:

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Kalash people are normally happy people but there may be some moments of sadness because sadness is a part of life. Kalash valley is situated in the Hindukush mountains of Pakistan and is having a unique culture.

The Kalash or kalasha word is employed for these folks living in Chitral District of KPK in northern areas of Pakistan. They speak Kalasha language from the Dardic language family of Indo-Aryan branch. These people are most distinctive among different cultures of Pakistan. They’re conjointly minority cluster and largely criticized by people. it’s thought of as a type of doctrine or ancient Hinduism.

People of Kalash Valleys:

The Kalash folks are thought of the foremost autochthonic people in Asia. As history tells their ancestors to migrate to Afghanistan from long distance places of South Asia. This place is termed “Tsiyam” and Kalash folks sing this word in their people songs and epics. Their traditions are distinctive and typically it’s like they’re migrants or refugees. it’s thought of thanks to their history that they’re associate ancient drift north Eurasian stock. Similarly, folks of Kafiristan that could be a neighbor province in Afghanistan.

They were conjointly followers of the identical culture once with some distinctions. however, in invasions of Ghaznavi within the eleventh century and Timur’s in 1339 these folks regenerate to Islam. however, there’s some proof that they still follow some traditions from their past. Similarly, the Kalash of Chitral natural depression has its own distinctive and separate cultural traditions.

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Kalash Valley Pakistan

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Kalash Valley Pakistan is famous in the world for its unique culture. People are innocent and beautiful. Kids are cute and have green eyes. They are considered as descendants of Greeks. These people are having their own religion which is more near to animism. Their rituals are primitive and they worship their own gods. these people wear unique black clad decorated with colorful ribbons and beads.

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Kalash – A Fading Culture

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Kalash women are hardworking and more brave showing courage to do their own business in a purely man dominating society of Pakistan. This Kalash woman was standing in front of her handicraft shop .she was an old woman and have a grace on her face. I asked permission to take a picture and she very happily allow me. Kalash people are facing lot of stress from the outside fanatic world and their culture is now  fading rapidly.

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Kalash Valley Woman

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Kalash valleys are situated in Chitral district of Pakistan in the KPK province. These valleys are famous for their inhabitants with unique culture and deep anthropological links. Kalasha culture is rich and vibrant but fading due to lot of stress from the increasing extremism in the society.

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