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.
Chomos festival (Mid December)
This is for the divine, living and dead relatives. The villages, the crops, the goats and the valleys are purified before the coming year.
Processions carrying dusk torch are led from all the nearby villages towards “Charsue” which is the main customary dancing place.
Most of the festivities are held indoor where local wine is served. Tribal heads sit on the hill tops to watch the rising sun & declare New Year. The Goats are sacrificed to goddess “ Jastak” and its blood is sprinkled in the temple.
This is also the time of “Balimine” visit, who is another god and sacrifices are at his Altar “Malosh”
Efforts are made to sight a Fox which is considered as a good omen.