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All Pakistan Chitral District Kalasha Valleys

Kalasha Valleys

Unique pagan culture in three extremely remote mountain valleys.

Chitral District, Pakistan

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About

In the devoutly Muslim lands of Pakistan, the presence of the pagans in the Kalasha Valleys is quite an anomaly. The three valleys of the Kalash people—Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir—form a cultural island where ancient traditions and pagan beliefs have managed to sustain themselves throughout time, in a land locally known as Kafiristan, the “Land of the Non-Believers”.

The origins of the Kalash people remain mysterious, but it's generally believed that the Kalash are descendants of Alexander the Great’s army, which seized the region in the third century BC; however, genetic research could not pinpoint their beginnings.

The culture of the Kalash people is highly complex, comprised of a belief-system with a multitude of gods and is characterized by rigorous rules regarding taboos, religious ceremonies and animal sacrifices. One of the most unique features of the Kalash people is their relationship with periods. Women retreat into a wooden hut called a Bashali and they can not be touched by others during this time.

Since the three valleys are extremely remote, they have more or less successfully resisted Islamization, unlike the Kalash in neighboring Afghanistan, who were forced to convert to Islam in 1893.

Pakistan’s government often uses the colorfully dressed Kalash people to demonstrate the diversity of the country. However, today the Kalash people face enormous pressure from surrounding Islamic communities who are pushing toward Islamization of the valleys, one of the valleys already having a Muslim majority. That, coupled with the fact that the valleys are in a region where the Pakistani government has de-facto no control, makes the future of the ancient culture of the Kalashas unknown.

Related Tags

Cultures And Civilizations Rites And Rituals Lost Tribes

Community Contributors

Added By

Tawsam

Edited By

Alexanders, forrestmallard

  • Alexanders
  • forrestmallard

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Sources
  • Lonely Planet Pakistan & Karakoram Highway; May 2008
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalash_people
  • http://www.kalashpeople.com
  • https://www.explorerpakistan.com/kalash-valley.html
Kalasha Valleys
Bamboret Valley Road
Chitral District
Pakistan
35.728991, 71.712474
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Kalasha Dur Museum

Brun, Pakistan

miles away

Kalasha Graveyard

Batrik, Pakistan

miles away

Shandur Polo Field

Shandur, Pakistan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pakistan

Pakistan

Asia

Places 34
Stories 9

Nearby Places

Kalasha Dur Museum

Brun, Pakistan

miles away

Kalasha Graveyard

Batrik, Pakistan

miles away

Shandur Polo Field

Shandur, Pakistan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pakistan

Pakistan

Asia

Places 34
Stories 9

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