Who are the Kalash People in Pakistan? | Travel Documentary
Kalashi Representative Explaining Hidden Facts || Kalash Valley Festival Date | Pakistan Tourism
An Uncertain Future for the Kalash People of Pakistan (2003)
Pakistan - Kalash of Cultures (2003) - In a remote part of northern Pakistan, a tribe believed to be descended from Alexander the Great is facing cultural annihilation.
As animists, the Kalash Kafirs live by cultural practices which clash with those of the Muslim Pakistanis’ that surround them. Their identity is constantly undermined by their Muslim neighbours. Help comes in the form of volunteers from Greece who believe that the Kalash people are part of their own ancient history and worth preserving. New facilities are being built but such help comes at a price. ”They are building in their own way…I think they should build like Kalash,” complains villager Mohammed. Whether fact or fiction, the Kalasha realise the commercial value of their founding myth and so are keen to preserve it. However, it is their spiritual life and beliefs that they feel are under threat by the growing hostility of fundamentalists. With jobs promised to those that convert, over 6,000 have reluctantly given up their bright national dress to become Muslim. For the Kalash people, both their past and future remain uncertain.
UNSEEN LOCAL LIFE OF KALASH VALLEY S02 EP. 27 | Pakistan Motorcycle Tour
Kalash Tribes in Chitral Pakistan
A brief video clip about Kalash Tribes living in Kalash Valleys including Bumborate, Birir and Runmboor. Chitral Pakistan
The ancient culture of the Kalash people is threatened. Almost 4,000 still live at the foot of the Himalayas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The infidels of the Hindu Kush | DW Documentary
Where Islam is the major religion, it strongly oppress other religions.
One interesting group are the Kalash who live in the mountains of northern Pakistan. The Kalash are Caucasians and many have very European features and some even have blue eyes and blonde hair which are distinctly European genetics. There are some historians who believe that they are the descendants of Alexander the Great who invaded the Pakistani region. There is a video documentary below called 'Mysterious Kalash – The Untold Story.'
The other theory is that they are the descendants of wandering European tribes who settled in that region.
Geography
The Kalash are indigenous peoples in the Northern Himalayan region of the Hindu Kush Mountains of Pakistan. They are located in the Chitral District of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan.
Language: Their native tongue is the Kalash language which is from the Dardic family which is part of the of Indo-Iranian languages which are member of the Indo-European language.
Religion: Pakistan Muslims are trying to convert these people to Islam and some have already converted though on a whole they are resisting. Their current religious beliefs and customs are pre-Christian. Kalash follow their own Religion which is made up of a single creator called ‘Dezau’ with 12 male and female gods, the major god is Mahandeo and some folks say this is the same god as Ares known as Mars by the Romans.
Address: The men wear traditional goat-skin tunics and the women wear black reaching to the ankles. They have beautiful embroidery.
Culture: The Kalash share similar Illyrian/Albanian roots to Hunza, Burusho and Pamir people. They use symbols, decoration, architecture, mythology, fable, music and dance similar to these people. They also have similar traditional costumes, customs, words and even the same dog breed! They say it themselves, they are ancient Illyrians and look like European Albanians.
Visiting Kalash
The Kalash Indigenous Survival Program faces many challenges. How can we help improve their lives without destroying their fragile cultures and traditions? To help the Kalash you can contact people below on the links provided or you can have a holiday and visit them through Tourist Industry Tours who help keep their culture alive.
First, you need a permit from the office in Chitral that oversees foreigners travel in this part of Pakistan or at the Pakistan Tourist Development office.The one in Chitral is at the PTDC Motel, Main Bazaar, Chitral (NWFP) Tel: (0943) 412683. I would recommend that you go with a guide.
Phone: 92-933-413151 and 413152
Address: Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir valley
Directions: Wagons for the Kalash valley run daily from the Chitral town center near Khyber Bank.
Other Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Useful Videos and Links
Kalash Greeks in Hindokush Valley, undiscovered and unknown villages of the Greek originated folk of the Kalash
Daughter of Kalash is a story of a struggle of young independent woman belongs to the Indigenous Kalasha Tribe resides in between the Hindu Kush mountains of Pakistan. Daughter of Kalash is saving her culture that is in danger, by finding the traces of her long forgotten origin.
Daughter of Kalash (other side of them)--A film by Mehak Asad
Hunza & Kalashi Macedonians- Direct Descendents of Ancient Macedonians
Northern Pakistan, Kalash People
Dance in Krakal Kalash Chitral
Mysterious Kalash – The Untold Story
The Origin of Kalash, Burusho, and Pamirian People – Hunza Valley Tribes
Kalash of Cultures – Pakistan
In a remote part of northern Pakistan, a tribe believed to be descended from Alexander the Great is facing cultural annihilation.
"Aryans" of Asia: Kalash, Buddhist History
A little-known Pakistani tribe that loves wine and whiskey fears its Muslim neighbors
Save the Kalash Indigenous People Survival Foundation
Phone: 92-933-413151 and 413152
Address: Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir valley
Directions: Wagons for the Kalash valley run daily from the Chitral town center near Khyber Bank.
Other Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.