Zahid Buneray
01-29-2007, 07:19 PM
http://www.khyberwatch.com/shows/kalashnew/lakshan1.jpg
By Shaheen Buneri
Beauty can not be expressed in words. It can only be felt in the heart of hearts. This was really a wonderful thing for me when the administration of AVT Khyber directed me to visit the beautiful and enchanting Kalash valley for a documentary on the socio-cultural life of these wonderful people.
Along with me AVT Khyber team included Gul Sher Khan (Cameraman), Dr.Iqbal Buneri, Dr. Mirwais Khan, Mehbob Khan and Professor Ghulam Ghaus. I have already listened many interesting stories about the Kalash people and this was my dream to see these people of mysterious origin with my own eyes. We left for Dir(Upper) by 12:00 noon and reached there by 6:30 p.m. Syed Jalal Khan is director works and services in Dir who is a very amiable, God fearing and nice person. He believes in the penetrating power of beauty in the development of human personality and shares it with us. With his assistance and proper guidance we started our journey towards the legendary Lowari, a 3200 m high pass situated in the famous Hindukash range and forms the boundary between Dir and Chitral. In Chitral Syed Muzafar Shah, a local tribal leader accompanied us to the valley of our dreams...Kalash valley.
The Kalash are a very small ethnic mountain community who inhabit only three narrow valleys in the eastern Hindukash range; Birir, Bumburate and Rambur. These valleys lies close to the Afghan border and are surrounded by high peaks. The Kalsh (only 3000-4000 people altogether) still practice their ancient religion, the mysterious origin of which are not yet completely known. The remote valleys lie about 20 miles away from the town of Chitral. The Kalash still speak their own language...Kalashwar...and still rely on an oral tradition.
The Kalash are very fond of wine and dancing. Their livestock have ritual significance, especially the goats. Kalash women are not veiled and the Kalash society as a whole can be considered as an open and very generous one. The Kalash religion is the last remnant of the pre-Muslim culture in Kafiristan, meaning "land of unbelievers', once extended through the Hindukush far into present day Afghanistan. Although it was never a unified political entity, culturally this area embraced not only the Kalash, but also several tribes that inhabit the neighbouring valleys of what is now called Afghan Nuristan--the land of lights.
Kalash houses are made of wood and stone. They are usually poorly equipped and have an open hearth. Most of everyday life takes place outside. The concept of purity and impurity play an important role in Kalash culture. Mountain peaks, for example, are considered pure and are places reserved for gods and fairies. They should never be stepped upon. Women are considered as impure, and therefore some religious places like the Mahandeo (four horses) are strictly forbidden to them.
The Kalash celebrate three main traditional annual festivities...Joshi in spring (around mid May), Uchao or Prun in autumn (around 20 August) and Choimos in Winter (From 7 to 22 December).
The kalash grow magnificent walnut trees that they take great care of, near their irrigated terraces with wheat and other cereals. Their grapevines climb up trees and produce a delicious wine.
Our meeting with Lakshan Bibi, the first woman pilot and Kalash women rights activist was extremely amazing. Attired in her traditional dress she welcomed our team with an unending smile running across her sparkling face. She speaks in English, Greek, Urdu, Pashto and Kuhwar like the native speakers. She arranged for our lunch and made us visit her gracefully erected new house in the lap of Rambur valley. She arranges the visit of Kalash girls to different countries of the European world every year. She runs an NGO and different educational and health institutions.
Our recordings in the Kalash valley were an unforgettable source of enjoyment for all of the Khyber's team, the sweet memories of which are still alive in our minds and instigate us repeatedly to visit this valley of fairies again and again.
By Shaheen Buneri
Beauty can not be expressed in words. It can only be felt in the heart of hearts. This was really a wonderful thing for me when the administration of AVT Khyber directed me to visit the beautiful and enchanting Kalash valley for a documentary on the socio-cultural life of these wonderful people.
Along with me AVT Khyber team included Gul Sher Khan (Cameraman), Dr.Iqbal Buneri, Dr. Mirwais Khan, Mehbob Khan and Professor Ghulam Ghaus. I have already listened many interesting stories about the Kalash people and this was my dream to see these people of mysterious origin with my own eyes. We left for Dir(Upper) by 12:00 noon and reached there by 6:30 p.m. Syed Jalal Khan is director works and services in Dir who is a very amiable, God fearing and nice person. He believes in the penetrating power of beauty in the development of human personality and shares it with us. With his assistance and proper guidance we started our journey towards the legendary Lowari, a 3200 m high pass situated in the famous Hindukash range and forms the boundary between Dir and Chitral. In Chitral Syed Muzafar Shah, a local tribal leader accompanied us to the valley of our dreams...Kalash valley.
The Kalash are a very small ethnic mountain community who inhabit only three narrow valleys in the eastern Hindukash range; Birir, Bumburate and Rambur. These valleys lies close to the Afghan border and are surrounded by high peaks. The Kalsh (only 3000-4000 people altogether) still practice their ancient religion, the mysterious origin of which are not yet completely known. The remote valleys lie about 20 miles away from the town of Chitral. The Kalash still speak their own language...Kalashwar...and still rely on an oral tradition.
The Kalash are very fond of wine and dancing. Their livestock have ritual significance, especially the goats. Kalash women are not veiled and the Kalash society as a whole can be considered as an open and very generous one. The Kalash religion is the last remnant of the pre-Muslim culture in Kafiristan, meaning "land of unbelievers', once extended through the Hindukush far into present day Afghanistan. Although it was never a unified political entity, culturally this area embraced not only the Kalash, but also several tribes that inhabit the neighbouring valleys of what is now called Afghan Nuristan--the land of lights.
Kalash houses are made of wood and stone. They are usually poorly equipped and have an open hearth. Most of everyday life takes place outside. The concept of purity and impurity play an important role in Kalash culture. Mountain peaks, for example, are considered pure and are places reserved for gods and fairies. They should never be stepped upon. Women are considered as impure, and therefore some religious places like the Mahandeo (four horses) are strictly forbidden to them.
The Kalash celebrate three main traditional annual festivities...Joshi in spring (around mid May), Uchao or Prun in autumn (around 20 August) and Choimos in Winter (From 7 to 22 December).
The kalash grow magnificent walnut trees that they take great care of, near their irrigated terraces with wheat and other cereals. Their grapevines climb up trees and produce a delicious wine.
Our meeting with Lakshan Bibi, the first woman pilot and Kalash women rights activist was extremely amazing. Attired in her traditional dress she welcomed our team with an unending smile running across her sparkling face. She speaks in English, Greek, Urdu, Pashto and Kuhwar like the native speakers. She arranged for our lunch and made us visit her gracefully erected new house in the lap of Rambur valley. She arranges the visit of Kalash girls to different countries of the European world every year. She runs an NGO and different educational and health institutions.
Our recordings in the Kalash valley were an unforgettable source of enjoyment for all of the Khyber's team, the sweet memories of which are still alive in our minds and instigate us repeatedly to visit this valley of fairies again and again.