PESHAWAR: The four-day Chilim Jusht spring festival, which started on Saturday, is in full-swing in the three Kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburate and Birir in Lower Chitral district.

A statement issued here on Monday said that the main function of the event was held in Bumburate valley, where the Kalash people poured milk on their loved ones and prayed for good fortunes.

A large number of local and foreign tourists also witnessed the event and showed keen interest in traditions of local tribes. They also lauded the arrangements made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) for assistance and facilitation of visitors.

Attired in traditional dresses, women, children and men danced and sang together to celebrate the festival. The elderly Kalash women and children distributed milk and yogurt of goats and sheep to the children for drinking and eating.

Groups of Kalash people, including women and children, along with their goats and sheep went to the fields and green pastures heralding arrival of summer.

Officials at the tourist information centre in Chitral briefed the foreign tourists upon their arrival in the town, providing them brochures, pamphlets, maps and other informative material and guidelines about the local culture and traditions and the scenic attractions in the three Kalash valleys.

Kalash people wore new dresses and prepared various dishes to welcome the spring festival.

The festival is the most important event of the Kalash people as it signifies the end of chilling cold in the mountainous region and arrival of spring and summer seasons. Young girls and boys sing and dance in groups in the community halls.

Main feature of the festival is selection of life partner for unmarried boys and girls, and event culminates with the loving couples tying the knot.

On the occasion, KPCTA director general Mohammad Bakhtiar Khan highlighted the significant cultural and religious values of the Kalash community. He said the unique cultural practices and traditions of the Kalash people continued to fascinate visitors from all over the world.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2023