Experience the Festivals of Kalasha Valley, Pakistan

It is perhaps no revelation one of the most important parts of traveling around the world is the opportunity to experience the different cultures and customs. However, it is not often travelers get to emerge themselves into a small community unlike any other in the surrounding area. In the mountainous region of North Pakistan sits a community largely isolated from the rest of the world.

The mountainous villages of the Kalasha Valley are places that function without modern Western luxuries like electricity and telephones. Instead, the people of this region focus their lives on nature, religion and community. There are three valleys in the Kalasha region — Rumbur and Bumboret being the more progressive and Birbir the more conservative and traditional. These cultures don’t consider themselves Pakistani as they see their community as a separate entity from the rest of the country. The area is a mix of Islamic and non-Islamic sects, and unlike some of the other surrounding areas, men and women of this region are largely seen as equals.

Kalasha Valley, Pakistan © Paweł Opaska | Dreamstime

Visitors of this region often take part in one of the three festivals — Joshi, Uchau and Caumus. Caumus, the most important and largest of the three, marks the end of the harvest for the Kalash people. This winter festival features bread shaped like goats, wine and live traditional music and a cappella singing. The Kalash dress in an array of colorful garments and hats and embrace one of the few times of the year where they can let loose. Even the teenagers are allowed to drink during the festival.

The festival may not be for everyone, however, as goat sacrifices are a regular occurrence. Additionally, in some areas, a security guard must accompany foreigners at all times.