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| PakistanVacations »Festivals & Events in Pakistan » Chitral and Kalash Festival
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Chitral and Kalash Festival
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The famed pagan tribe of Chitral is Kalash. Chitral is located in the northern district of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. This town has an area of 14,850 sq Km and houses a population of 378,000. The Chitral district is known to boast of one of the highest mountains in the world known as the Tirchi Mir.
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There are three valleys comprising of the Kalash gooni within the locals and the Kafiristan from the outsiders. These three Kalash valleys are Bumburet, Rumber and Birir which are located in the South West of Chitral town. Kalash is known to house a population of 3660 approximately. The members of the Kalash community are also known as the black Kafirs. In fact all three of the Kalash valleys are connected with Chitral’s main town.The range of Kalash Festivals in Chitral varies from the Joshi or Chilimjusht, Utchal, Chowas fests.
The Kalash fests offer a rare opportunity for the tourists to be a part of the picturesque Kalash dance. The Kalash festivals mostly signify the spring festivals in May including the summer festivals in August and the autumn festivals in October and lastly there are the winter fests in December. The Joshi festival is also known as the Chilimjusht and is celebrated in the spring and the days are signified with the dancing and visiting neighbors and exchanging flowers and milk products. This celebration goes on from the 14th to 15th of May. The celebration of Utchal in the mid July times is celebrated to note the harvest of wheat and barley. The celebrations last for two days including dancing, singing and feasting which are the main features. Lastly Chowas being celebrated from 18th to 21st December is the winter festival meant to welcome the New Year. During this fest the entire population remains indoors and the celebrations continue until the advent of the New Year when the elders come down from the hill tops and light their torches with dance performances and goat sacrifices. Know more about the Chitral and Kalash Festival in Pakistan as we keep you updated about the various festivals and events in Pakistan.
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