The Kalash People of Pakistan

The Kalash people live in Chitral District, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. They live at three isolated mountain valleys: Bumboret (Kalash: Mumret), Rumbur (Rukmu), and Birir (Biriu). These valleys are opening towards the Kunar River, some 20 km south (downstream) of Chitral. The region is extremely fertile, covering the mountainside in rich oak forests and allowing for intensive agriculture. Wheat, maize, grapes, apples, apricots,and walnuts are among the many foodstuffs grown in the area. The climate of this region is typical of high elevation regions without large bodies of water to regulate the temperature. The summers are mild, while the winter can be very cold.

The Kalash are an ethnic group of Indo - Aryan Branch in Asia. The origins of the Kalash are steeped in myth and folklore. They proclaim with pride that they are the direct descendents of Alexander the Great. The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs drastically from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. There are some Greek cultural elements can partly be identified in their culture. For example, the sports and games in this region (wrestling and shot-put etc.) were supposedly practiced in the ancient Olympics. Then, they believe in are the twelve gods of Ancient Greece, such as as Zeus (the god of gods), Apollo (the god of the sun), and Aphrodite (the goddess of beauty). The Kalash are the only people who produce and consume wine and indulge themselves in feasts such as for the aforementioned feast of Dionysus. But, some researchers describe that the exact Greek contribution to Kalash was unclear. The DNA evidence has also proven that they do not have Greek haplogroups.

The people of Kalash have many festivals in their culture, such as Joshi O Chilmjusht (14th - 15th may), Uchao O Utchal (19th - 20th August), and Choimus (7th - 22nd December). these festival and their dance attracts the tourist. The Kalash dance is a curious sidestep, performed by groups of men or women who stand shoulder to shoulder, arms linked. They skip in a large circle around the storytellers.

Kalash women usually wear long black robes, their dress is decorated with beads and corals. Men have adopted the Pakistani shalwar kameez, while children wear small versions of adult clothing after the age of four. The Kalash do not in general separate males and females or frown on contact between the sexes. Kalash women join the men in farming activities. Kalash woman are free to choose their life partners and have a right to divorce. If a woman wants to change husbands, she will write a letter to her prospective husband offering herself in marriage and informing the would-be groom how much her current husband paid for her.

Nowadays, the official Pakistan government line is of ethnic tolerance, but still the Kalash people are subjected to constant racism and taunts. They struggle to preserve their identity from encroaching Islamic rule. The constant pressure is to assimilate with muslim and Pakistan culture. In poor economic times, many Kalash are forced to convert to Islam.