Kalash culture give way to modernity

CHITRAL Away from the fevers and frets of life, a strange conglomerate of about 4,000 people dotting the picturesque countryside of Chitral valley in Pakistan’s northern regions, continues discreetly to battle with the temptations of modern life which apparently are impacting the Kalash culture.

Not far from the main Chitral city which usually keeps humming with life activity, the mysterious people residing in isolation at the mountain tops, obscured by their rites and rituals, are now seen struggling to protect their beliefs, ideology and mode of living constantly at loggerheads with modern life style entailing mundane temptations.

The people of the area are clinging to their centuries-old traditions even tough they are not exactly aware of their ancestry, leaving such issues for the historians to settle.

However, according to popular legend a few soldiers from the formidable legions of Alexander of Macedonia had settled in Chitral during their invasion of Indo-Pak subcontinent and this particular sect continued to inhibit the land as their predecessor.

The Kalash people inhibit three villages of Rukmu, Mumret and Biriu, commonly called Rambur, Bumburet and Birir in local Kalash language. These villages are situated at the hillside about 100 metres above the river.

According to local people and journalists, their population has been shrinking; around 4,000 Kalash people reside over these three places.

A visitor can find a sharp contrast to what he or she has heard or read as a changing picture will greet them.

After living in obscurity for an unknown period, Kalash children are now studying in local schools, and are well conversant with Urdu and English languages.

“In recent past, a number of girls have been married in Muslim families and the Kalash elders did not oppose it, rather it was welcomed,” Afsar Khan, a villager residing in the valley said.