KALASH VALLEY

Kalash, are an Indo-Aryan Dardic indigenous peopleresiding in the Chitral District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalasha language, from the Dardic family of the Indo-Aryan branch.

They are considered unique among the peoples of Pakistan.[9] They are also considered to be Pakistan's smallest ethnoreligious community

The Kalash believe they are originally from Tsiam, although no one yet knows where that is. It is more likely they are descendants from Indo-Aryans (about 2000BC). Many historians believe the Kalash are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great. 

The kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir are within Chitral District of Pakistan. The kalash people are the only non-Muslims for hundreds of miles. They may be a little wary of strangers, but usually do welcome who wants to become acquainted with the kalash way of life.
The 3500 Kalash of the valleys live in unique houses made of local stone and wood which are stacked on top of one another at steep hillsides. The roof of one house is the verandah of another, on top of the lower house. They make their living with staple crops like lentils or wheat and by goat herding. Life is very traditional, like in many parts of the world, and the work division between men and their women is elaborate. Family life, cattle herding and harvesting form their main livelihood with the occasional distraction of a festival or two. Women move into a Bashaleni house when giving birth and also when they are menstruating. Many aspects of the society are both communal and segregated and typically, marriages are made by arrangement.

Kalash Festivals

JOSHIO CHILMJUSHT ( 14TH -15TH OF MAY)
Function is organized to pay thanks to the Almighty. They celebrate the arrival of spring season with new hopes and aspirations.

UCHAO O UTCHAL (19th – 20th August)
Kalash celebrate Uchao to pay homage to the Almighty because of grapes and other ripe fruit. They prepare wine, cheese, corn etc. and rejoice Uchao.

CHOIMUS. (7th to 22nd December)

Choimus is a winter festival celebrated to welcome the New Year. The entire population remains indoors. It is celebrated by feasting, drinking and merry making. It is a thanksgiving function to the Almighty for their bumper crops, fruits, animals and eatable stores for winter. Winter is full of snow, rain and cold wind. People sacrifice animals in the name of the Almighty, rejoice with wine, fruit, assemble for dancing, singing and enjoy every event and moment.