CHITRAL: The Chilim Jusht spring festival is in progress here in all the three valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur amid merrymaking, including open door ritual of dancing of men and women at the dancing place called Jastakhan.

Said Gul of Bumburate said the major event of the day was Chhirpeyak ritual which was being performed in Bumburate valley where milk and yogurt was collected from the corrals in each household for distribution among the participants.

She said the festival was being held with simplicity due to the threat of coronavirus and much care was being taken about social distancing and other precautionary measures.

She said that it was for the first time in her life that non-local people and tourists had not arrived to watch the festivities of Chilim Jusht. The Chitral police have banned the entry of non-local people into the valleys from Ayun village, the entry point of the Kalash valleys.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2020