CHITRAL, May 5: The spring festival of Kalash people will be held between May 11 and 15 for which preparations are going on in full swing. The festival heralds the arrival of spring after four icy months of winter.

The Kalash people are known for their unique culture and way of life.

They live in three segregated valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumboor, some 40 kms in the south of Chitral.

The unmarried Kalash tie the knot during the season.

Festivities go on throughout the festival in the form of singing, dancing and drinking.

Honey and milk are made available in abundance on the occasion.

This year the festival has been included in the calendar of events of the ‘visit Pakistan year’ celebrations.

The roads leading to Birir and Rumboor valleys are closed for traffic while Bumburate valley roads are closed for heavy vehicles only.

This will create hurdles for tourists visiting the valleys.

Foreign tourists have started arriving here to take part in festivities.

The Kalash people are commonly seen in the city shopping for the occasion.

A tour operator said that though the tourism ministry has made the festival a component of the ‘visit Pakistan year’, but no special arrangement by the government can be seen here.

He said that this year a large number of foreigners were expected to visit the area.