CHITRAL KALASH, IN DISTRICT NWFP
History:Chitral, is in Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan and a capital of the Chitral District, situated on the west bank of the Chitral (Kunar) River in the backdrop of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, 25,289 ft (7,708 m) high. It has a population of 20,000, The altitude of the valley is 3,700 ft (1,100 m). The area is connected from different routes which is absolutely uniqu of its kind. In the south, there is Lowari Pass (3,200 m or 10,499 ft) leads 365 km (227 mi) to Peshawar and in the north, the easiest route during summer runs over the Broghol Pass (3,798 m or 12,460 ft) to Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor, however during winter this route is usually closed. But the foreingers mostly used route is the east i.e. from Gilgit vis marvelous Shandur Pass where every year a Polo Tournament is played over the height of 3,719 m (12,201 ft). Another rounte is from southwest along the Chitral/Kunar valley towards Jalalabad. This route is open all year and provides direct access to Kabul. The other routes are over mountain passes.. And in the west, the Dorah Pass provides an additional route to Afghanistan. The territory is home to rare falcons and the snow leopard.
Chitral is multi lingual tribe. Their basic language is Khow, Chitrali, Khowar. which is also spoken in parts of Yasin, Gilgit, Ghizer and Swat. Pashto language is also spoken and understood by some in the city.
Kalash Valley:: One of the major attractions of Chitral is Kalash tribe and Kalash Valley – the home of Kalash or "Wearers of the Black Robes" a primitive pagan tribe. Legends say that five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kalash. There is also a sizeable population of Nuristanis, Tajiks and Uzbeks most of whom arrived from Afghanistan in the late 1980s.
Over 3,000 strong Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur, south of Chitral.
Over 3,000 strong Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur, south of Chitral.
Bumburet: the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kalash, is 40 km from Chitral and is connected by a jeep able road.
Birir: 34 km away is accessible by a jeep able road.
Rambur: is 32 km from Chitral. The Kalash Women wear black gown of coarse cloth in summer and hand-spun wool dyed in black in winter. Their picturesque headgear is made of woolen black material decked out with cowries shells, buttons and crowned with a large coloured feather. The Kalash love music and dancing particularly on occasions of their religious festivals.
KALASH FESTIVALS:
Chilimjust or Joshi (14 - 15 May): This festival is held in Spring when the girls pick the first lowers. The days are marked by dancing, and the people visit each other and exchange milk, cheese, yogurt and flowers.
Utchal (mid July): Two days of celebration mark the harvest of wheat and barley. There is much singing, dancing and feasting which is worth seeing.
Phool (20 – 25 September): This festival celebrates the reaping of the grape and walnut harvests.
Chowas (18-21 December): This is the winter festival celebrated to welcome the new year. The people remain indoors, feasting and drinking until the elders, who sit on hill-tops to watch the sun reach its orbit, declare the arrival of the new year. Everyone then lights the torches and performs the commemorative dance, and goat sacrifice is carried out.
CHITRAL:
Going Kalash one has to land in Chitral which is situated at an average altitude of 1,128 meter. Chitral valley is favorite among mountaineers, trekkers, anglers, hunters and anthropologists. Tirichmir 7,705 meter dominates this 322 km long exotic valley. Chitral district has Afghanistan on its north, south and west. A narrow strip of Afghan territory (Wakhan) separates it from Tajikistan. The tourist season in Chitral is from June to September. The maximum temperature in June is 35 C and in September the maximum is 23. Here are some places to be seen:
Shandur Pass: The road west of Gilgit leads to Shandur pass and Chitral with side road serving the valley of Ishkoman and Yasin. The western end of Gilgit valley is called Ghizar, a political district. The road continues west from Gilgit, through Gakuch, Gupis, Pingal, Phunder, Ghulak Muli, Tero, Barsat, Lunger and along the Ghizar River for about 180 kilometers and 8 hours to the Shandur pass and this river is famous for Trout Fishing.
The Shandur pass is blocked by snow from November to May. The top of the pass is flat and pastured at 3,734 meters from the sea level. The best time to visit shandur is end of June when the annual polo game is played on the Shandur pass between Gilgit and Chitral team at this time. You can camp there and watch the original polo matches for a couple of days and enjoy this thrilling game on the highest polo ground in the world.
Chitral Town: The town lies by the Chitral river at an elevation of 1,518 meter. The Shahi Masjid is set against a backdrop of the Trichmir. The Mehtar's Fort and the Khowar houses of the Chitralis are worth seeing. The bazaar offers a fascinating array of handicrafts.
Bimoghalasht: Here, the fairy-tale summer palace of the ex-ruler affords a magnificent view of the Trichmir and the surrounding valleys. \It stands at a height of 2,743 meter, and is approachable by jeep.
Garam Chashma (Hot Springs): This valley offers scenic beauty, with orchards, fields and snow-clad peaks. The most interesting features however, are its hot sulphur springs, famous for their healing effects in skin diseases, gout, rheumatism and chronic headaches. 'Hammams' (baths) have been constructed near the springs for convenience of tourists.
