One of the major attractions of Chitral is the Kalash
valley - the home
of Kafir-Kalash or "Users of
the black robes", a primitive pagan tribe.
Their ancestors are shrouded in mystery and the subject of controversy. A legend says that five
soldiers legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled
in Chitral and are the progenitors of the infidel-Kalash.
Over 3,000-strong Kafir-Kalash live in the
valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur,
south of Chitral. Bumburet, the largest and
most picturesque valley of the Kafir Kalash,
is 40 kms. from
Chitral and is connected to a jeep-able way.
Birir, 34 km. Gone are available with a jeep-able road. Rambur
is 32 kms from Chitral.
The Kalash women wear black gowns of coarse cloth in summer
and hand-spun
wool dyed in
black in winter. Their picturesque headgear is
made of woolen black material decked out with cowry shells, buttons and
crowned with a large colored feather.
The Kalash are fun loving people who love music and
dancing particularly on the
occasion of their religious
festival like Joshi Chilinjusht (14 and 15 May-spring), Phool (20-25
September) and Chomas
(December 18 to 21 in a week ). Polo in Chitral is as popular
as in Gilgit. Polo matches are great attractions at festive occasions. A regular Polo tournament held
every year (first week of July) at
Shandur Pass.
