Historical perspective
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One of the major attraction of Chitral
is the Kalash valleys. The home of kafir Kalash or wearers of the black
rose, a primitive pagan tribe. The world famous Kalash people live in the
three valleys of Birir, Rumboor and Bumburate. The Kalash are ancient tribe
and have a religion and culture of their own, their culture is unique as
well as amazing one, from all over the world tourist come here to see their
natural beauty and unique culture. Their ancestry is enveloped in mystery
and it is the subject of controversy. A legend says that one General Salik
shah, who was called by the Greek as General Selefuous with five soldiers of
the legions of Alexander of MACEDON, settled in Chitral and are the
progenitors of the Kafir Kalash. Kafir of Kalash live in the valley of Birir,
Bumburate and Rumboor.
The largest and most picturesque valley of Kafir Kalash in Bumburate is 40
km away from Chitral. And Birir is 34 km and Rumboor is 36 km from Chitral.
The Kalash, a gay people who love music and dancing particularly on
occasions of Religious festivals.
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Religion and culture
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The Kalash People firmly believe in One
God,
the Creator of the
Universe.
They have unique culture, ancient language, distinguish festivals and
ceremonies and amazing dresses.
Kalash culture is a very unique culture in the world, its have their own
identity, and Kalash are famous all over the world on their culture. Their
way of life is very much different from other parts of Chitral.
The people of Kalash have many festivals in their culture. All these
festivals are in a specific occasions and these festival, also attracts the
tourist. Many of tourist are coming here only to see Kalash culture, they
may be dresses and dancing etc.
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Kalash festival
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JOSHI O CHILMJUSHT (14th - 15th may)
Function is organized to pay thanks to Almighty. They celebrate the arrival
of spring season with new hopes and aspiration.
UCHAO O UTCHAL (19th - 20th august)
Kalash celebrate Uchao to pay homage to almighty because of grapes and other
fruit ripe. They prepare wine, cheese, corns etc. and rejoice Uchao.
CHOIMUS (7th to 22nd december)
Choimus is a winter festival celebrated to welcome the New Year. The entire
population remains indoor. It is celebrated by feasting drinking and merry
making. It is thanks giving function to Almighty for their bumper crops,
fruits, animals and store eatable for winter. Winter is full of snow, rain
and cold wind. People sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty, rejoice
with wine, fruit, assemble for dancing, singing and enjoy every event and
moment.
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Family
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In Kalash there is prevailing joint
family system and patriarchal system.
The aged person of the family is considered as the head of the family. He
took all decisions according his own free well. No distinctive changed occur
in their family.
The boys and girls of this family can freely and frankly proposed each other
for marriages. There is another kind of marriage, which is totally arrange
marriage. It is on the agreement of their parents. Man is authorize in
marring twice, if the first marriage is not successful. (Mostly the marriage
is in their festivals).
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Attraction of the Kalash valley
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The northern area holds immense use
potentials for tourism. Kalash is most important valley of Chitral northern
areas in their beauty regarding to unique culture, their religion, mountains
and their natural beauty. Bumburate valley in Chitral is very unique
geographic region. Its mountain posses high peaks. Most of tourists are
coming here only for mountains, some tourists are coming here for hiking.
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The climate
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The temperature of Kalash is very
pleasant in summer month but in winter the climate is harsh because the
temperature come down from 0°C to negative. The maximum temperature of
Kalash valley is between 23°C to 27°C and the mean minimum temperature is
between 2°C to 1°C.
In winter the valleys are in grip of cold northerly wind and hazard. The
extreme minimum temperature recorded in the valleys have been -4.8°C to
-15°C for the month of January and February. These valleys get rainfall
between 700mm to 800mm. From December to march occasionally even later,
snowfall is quite frequent Kalash valley is 30% forest.
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The rivers
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The valley of Kalash is full from
natural beauty, God preserve these valley a special gift, it is a divine
gifted. God gave him more beauty and shapes more water and other scenarios.
The rivers/waters is also source of tracking tourist.
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The agricolture
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Agriculture is natural source of income
in all rural areas particularly in Kalash valley. The people of Bumburate
cultivated only wheat maize crops with out using any technology and other
modern methods.
The development in communication brought arranges and modern methods and
technology has been introduced. Through this started growing others crops
and vegetable because of the demand of tourist. On the one hand this is
source of income and on the other hand it fulfill the demands of the tourist
who came there.
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