Kalash

The Kalash community is a small, indigenous group living in the Chitral District of Pakistan. Their habitats are divided into three valleys Bumburait, Rumbur, and Bireer. Among all of them, Bumburait is considered a center of the Kalash Community. The Kalash are known for their unique culture and traditions, which migrated down for generations. They are considered the religious minority in Pakistan.

Today I am going to describe the world’s most unique people and their cultures. Please read carefully because a single skip can lead to misunderstanding. Let me tell you some of the notable features of Kalash culture first:

Let’s go;

• The Kalash follow a form of ancient animism, which means that they believe that everything in nature, including animals, plants, and natural phenomena, has a spirit or soul.
• The Kalash have a matriarchal society, in which women hold a high level of social and economic power.
• The Kalash are known for their distinctive dress, which includes long, flowing robes, head coverings, and intricate jewelry made of gold and other precious metals. Nowadays the usage of gold is rare however they use dummy jewelry as an alternative.
• The Kalash are also known for their music and dance, which are an important part of their cultural traditions.

Despite their unique culture, the Kalash face many challenges, including discrimination and pressure to assimilate into mainstream Pakistani society. In recent years, there have been efforts to preserve and promote Kalash culture, including through the establishment of cultural centers and educational programs.

Where Kalash community is living?

They are living in the start of district Chitral Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. It takes two hours after crossing Lowari Tunnel to the bridge of Ayun. On the way to your destination, you will experience an outclass NAGAR Fort of Prince Ghazi Uddin. It welcomes you from the left side across the river just after crossing the Mirkhani post of Chitral Scouts. From Ayun to Bumburait it will take one more hour to experience bumpy roads. You can hire a guide further for Rumbur and Bireer. The three main valleys where the Kalash people live are Bumburait, Bireer, and Rumbur. These valleys are located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which is in the western part of the province.

What is the religion of the Kalash people?

The Kalash people of Chitral follow a pre-Islamic religion that is polytheistic and animistic. Explanation of their religion is still difficult to describe however here is some information for the readers. They believe in a supreme being called Dezau, who is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the universe. It is also in their belief that a number of other deities are responsible for various aspects of life, such as fertility, agriculture, and health. These people also follow a number of rituals and traditions that are associated with their religion, such as offering sacrifices to the gods, performing ceremonies to mark important life events, and observing various festivals throughout the year.

One of the main festivals that the Kalash people celebrate is the Chilim Joshi festival, which is held in the spring and is a time of celebration, music, and dance. During the Joshi festival, the Kalash people perform rituals to honor the gods and to ensure a good harvest. They also hold a number of other festivals throughout the year, such as the Uchal festival, which is held in the fall and is a time of thanksgiving and celebration. Those unmarried couples who love each other, propose to spend the rest of their life as husband and wife during the Chilim Joshi festival.

It is estimated that there are around 4,000 Kalash people living in Chitral. They constitute a small minority of the population in the region and have a unique culture and way of life that is distinct from the majority Muslim population.

What is the population of the Kalash community?

This is very easy to show the exact population of this community because they are very less in number. According to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the total population of the Kalash community was 4,622. This is a significant decrease from previous censuses, in which the population was reported as 6,000 in 1998 and 7,524 in 1981. It is not uncommon for small, isolated communities like the Kalash to experience fluctuations in population size due to various factors, including migration, health issues, and cultural practices.

What language do they speak?

They have their own indigenous language called Kalasha. They can also speak Khowar, their regional language. Some of the people called the Dardic language in this region. The language they speak is also spoken in parts of Afghanistan and India. It is classified as a member of the Indo-Aryan language family.

Kalasha has a rich oral tradition, and many folktales, myths, and legends transferred from their elders to the younger generation. The language they used to describe all this literature is the Kalasha language. The language has a complex grammatical structure, and it is notable for its use of nouns, verbs, and adjectives that are inflected to reflect various grammatical categories.

In terms of vocabulary, Kalasha borrows heavily from Persian and Pashto, as well as from other Dardic languages. The Kalasha alphabet is based on the Perso-Arabic script, with some additional letters to represent sounds that are specific to the language.

There are an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 speakers of Kalasha, and the language is considered endangered, as fewer and fewer children are learning it as their first language. Efforts are being made to preserve the language and promote its use among the Kalasha community.

What is the culture of the Kalash community?

They have a unique culture and tradition that is being transferred and preserved for centuries.

A significant aspect of Kalash culture is their religion, which is a form of ancient Hinduism mixed with animism. They believe in a number of gods and goddesses, and they celebrate many festivals to honor these gods. They are considered a part of their culture.

One of the most famous Kalash festivals is the Chaumos festival, which is held annually in December. During this festival, the Kalash people dress in traditional clothing, sing and dance, and offer sacrifices to the gods.

Another festival of Kalash culture is the role of women in society. In the Kalash community, women are highly respected and are considered to be the backbone of the community. They are involved in all aspects of community life, including decision-making, and are often the head of their households.

Kalash culture is also known for its unique architectural style. The traditional houses of the Kalash people are made of wood and have conical roofs. These houses are often decorated with intricate carvings and colorful designs.

Last but not least their culture and tradition are the rich and vibrant one that has been passed down through their ages. It is a unique blend of ancient Hinduism, animism, and the traditions of the Chitral region, and is an important part of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.

Note: it is impossible, to sum up, the history of the Kalash community in a single article. I want you to stay with me and search for more articles about this community. Stay blessed.

About Author