CHITRAL: The heavy snowfall has revived the traditional game of snow hockey in the Kalash valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur.

The game hasn’t happened during the last so many years due to scanty snowfall.

The residents of Bumburate valley said snow hockey was their best pastime in the winter season when it usually received snow, while a tournament was held among different villages of the valley. Baruk Shah Kalash said the field required for the game spread over many kilometers starting from one village to another, while every team consisted of 30 to 40 players and had own ball to hit and follow.

“Unlike football, hockey, poloand other field games, both snow hockey teams hit the ball in the same direction and the one completing the round trip of the field first is declared the winner,” he said.

The resident said the team losing the match held a feast the following night for which they slaughtered three or five goats. He added that a musical concert was held in which players of the winning team danced to the tune of flute, while songs were sung by the losing team. The resident last time, the snow hockey was played in Bumburate valley in 2012 when it received snow in large amount, the requirement for the game.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2019