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Cultural Festivals

Kalash Winter festival​

The Kalash Winter Festival, known as “Choimus,” is an annual event that symbolizes prosperity for the village in the coming year. During the festival, people hunt foxes, considered good omens. Torch-lit processions from nearby villages gather at a traditional dance area called a “Charsue.” The celebrations include dancing and sharing local wine around a bonfire, lasting late into the night. As the new year begins, locals perform purification rituals and tribal elders gather on hilltops to watch the sunrise. Goat sacrifices are made to the goddess “Jastak,” with the blood sprinkled at the temple Jastarkhan.

Kalash Festival

The Hindu Kush mountain range encircles Pakistan’s Kalash Valley, which is home to the Kalasha people, who celebrate the Kalash Festival. This event is held three times every year: in the spring, summer, and winter. Chilam Joshi is the name of the spring festival, which begins around May 13. August 20 marks the start of the summer celebration known as Uchal. Choimus, or winter festivity, begins on December 15.

Shandur Polo Festival

The Shandur Polo Festival is an annual cultural and athletic event held near the Shandur Pass in Chitral, Pakistan, usually taking place in the first week of July. This event, known as the ‘Roof of the World’ due to its height, features traditional polo matches between teams from the Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan areas. It also hosts folk music, dance performances, and handicraft displays, making it a must-see for anybody interested in experiencing the region’s cultural richness.

Chilam Joshi Festival

The Chilam Joshi Festival (Kalash Spring Festival) is a vibrant four-day celebration held from 13 May to 16 May in the Kalash valleys. It begins with “Milk Day,” where families store milk in preparation for the festivities. The festival highlights the Kalash people’s rich culture, harmony, and message of peace, as they offer prayers for blessings, a prosperous harvest, and the health of their livestock. Men and women wear traditional attire, with women in colorful dresses adorned with floral patterns and beaded necklaces, while men wear Shalwar Kameez with woolen waistcoats. They sing, dance, and, on the final day, some announce their chosen life partners.