Kalash Chilam Joshi Spring Festival celebration
The Four-day Chilam Joshi spring festival from 13th May,2020 to 16th May ,2020 of Kalash people concluded in Bumburate valley Chitral with the ritual dance by young men and women at the Centre of the valley.
The Four-day Chilam Joshi spring festival from 13th May,2020 to 16th May ,2020 of Kalash people concluded in Bumburate valley Chitral with the ritual dance by young men and women at the Centre of the valley.
This year round
the event was sombre due to coronavirus pandemic as non-locals and tourists
were not allowed to enter the Chitral valleys during the Chilam Joshii spring festival. It was for the first time
that only the Kalash people were celebrated the spring festival present in the
concluding event which used to attract large any crowds from other parts of the
country.
It is the most
important festival of all the local
festivals, during this Chilam Joshi festival
which it is mandatory for every person of the religion to observe certain rituals.
The festival
marks the arrival of summer season and provides an opportunity to the visitors
to witness the lifestyle of the Kalash people, a distinct minority in the
Muslim-majority Chitral district, in their three valleys including Bamburet,
Birir and Rambur They celebrated the departure of the harsh winter and arrival
of spring and summer in their own unique way. Chilim jushi festival is celebrated in the of May every year by the Kalash
people to thank their god Goshidai as they believe it protects their herds
during spring and summer seasons.
The
preparations normally starts about 40 days before its commencement as the
Kalash people renovate their houses, replace old house appliances and beddings
with new ones and stitch new clothes.
The dancing by
men and women also gave an unattractive sight as they had to remain at a
certain distance from each other against their customary practice of performing
in groups of Six to eight and hugging each other.
Before arriving
at the central place in Charsu, the Kalash men and women accompanied by children’s
reached a nearby grassy ground from different villages all Chitral valley Where
they held a special session of collective sang and dancing in praise of their
near and dear ones who have died.
Afterwards,
they all left for Charsu in a procession waving green twigs of their hands
escorted by smartly dressed young boys and girls.
Chilam Joshi
spring festival begins with “Milk day”. Before of ten days prior to the
festival, The Kalasha people store milk from their houses. On the day of the
Chilam Joshi festival the people of
Kalash offer their libation. this spring festival reflects their unique
cultural richness, the harmony in their society and message of peace to the
global. They ask for blessing from the God and pray for a prosperous year of
agriculture and health and safety of their herds.
The main Aim of
Kalash festival of Chilam Joshi is that Kalasha boy and Girl can find
themselves a spouse to get married. The women wear traditional local attire
with lively colors and hair dresses have patterns of flowers on it. They wear
beaded necklaces which compliments their dresses and head gears.
The Kalash
people started their farming activities a day after the festival and many people of them leave for the pastures in the highlands
with their goats and remain there till September.
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