Country Pakistan Time zone PST (UTC+5) Area 456.6 km² Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | District Chitral District Elevation 1,128 m Population 9,000 (2003) | |
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The Kalasha Valleys (Kalasha-mondr: Kaĺaśa Desh) are valleys in Chitral District in northern Pakistan. The valleys are surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range. The inhabitants of the valley are the Kalash people, who have a unique culture, language and follow a form of ancient Hinduism. As such, the Kalasha Valleys are a source of attraction for Pakistani as well as International tourists. There are three main valleys. The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet (Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur and Acholgah are side valleys north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is s side valley of the Kunar Valley south of Bumburet.
Kalash People
Kalash people are the smallest religious as well as the ethnic minority of Pakistan. Their customs and traditions are contradictory to the Islamic and Pakistani culture. The Kalash religion is polytheist faith and the people offer sacrifices for their gods. Their culture is interlinked with their religion and based upon several festivals and celebrations. The people generally do not mix up with the local Muslims but neither are they hostile towards them. The people are although under legal and constitutional protection of the State of Pakistan but face a serious threat from the Islamic Extremist militants in neighboring Afghanistan. Some people of the Kalash community have also been forcibly converted to Islam. Many local and foreign human rights activists as well as many primary politicians such as Imran Khan have called on the government for protection of the community. Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology has also condemned the violence declaring forcible conversions and honor killings of non-Muslims as UnIslamic.
