CHITRAL: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has helped, for the first time, bring into the printed form the language of Kalash people, Kalasha, by compiling primers and recording the folk tales thereby saving it from becoming extinct.

Three books and a CD containing folk tales were launched at the closing ceremony of ‘Kalash language and culture preservation project’ in Bumburate valley here on Saturday.

Member of zila council on minority seat, Imran Kabir, who presided over the event, said the Kalasha language faced extinction due to receding population of Kalash people, the exposure of their valleys to tourists, and due to the fact that it was still not in written form as there were no alphabets and primers of the language.

He said the project was launched a year ago by Ayun and Valleys Development Programme (AVDP), with the financial assistance of USAID.

On the occasion, the board members of AVDP, Muhkamud Din, Rahmat Ilahi and Kalash elders termed the project a great contribution to preservation of Kalasha language and thereby its culture.

They said the language of Kalash people, numbering 3,880 individuals and comprising 400 households, had got recognition for the first time as it had come up in the printed and recorded form, which will lead to its further development.

They said the aim of the project was to bring to written form the folk songs and tales related to the basic dogmatic beliefs of Kalash, their customs and traditions.

A body called ‘Kalash language and culture committee’ comprising religious leaders, elders and intellectuals, including women, of Kalash community compiled the books, they informed.

They said children of every clan and tribe would be able to read the primers as these were written in their own accent.

They said it was heartening that local people had come to realise the need for preservation of their culture and language.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2016