Kalash region is home to Kalash people who live in three isolated mountain valleys of Chitral.
Nature plays a highly significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys.
Although festivals are held throughout the year but four of them are significant and mark special events to thank their gods for his blessing on harvest & good living.
Spring Festival “Joshi /Chilimjusht” (Middle of May)
It honors the fairies and also safeguards the goats and shepherds before they go to the pastures.
Prior to start of festival, the female members decorate their houses. Inside the houses local wine and milk products are shared. The women then sprinkle milk on goddess “ Jestak “ the protector of their children and home.
The festival begins at Rumbur where the Shaman (a kind of priest) and tribal chiefs lead a procession to the “ Malosh altar” , high above Grum, to sacrifice goats to the gods . Later the festival moves on to Bumboret and ends up at Birir a few days later.
Dancing and rhythmical chant to the beat of drum echoes in the valleys on every religious ceremony. The women wearing their traditional black robes, ornate cowries shelled head dresses and adorned with colored necklaces, dance in a circle. Then the men join in: it may be a man and a women or a man in the middle with a women on each side, lovers being free to intermingle. One hand is held round the waist of the partner and the other round the shoulders. Tribal chiefs in colorful dresses narrate stories of bygone days and events.