Kalash valley,Pakistan

The Kalash (Nuristani: Kasivo) or Kalasha, are an ethnic group of the Hindu Kush mountain range, residing in the Chitral district of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalash language, a member of the Dardic family of Indo-Aryan.

There is some controversy over what defines the ethnic characteristics of the Kalash. Although quite numerous before the 20th century, the non-Muslim minority has seen its numbers dwindle over the past century. A leader of the Kalash, Saifulla Jan, has stated, "If any Kalash converts to Islam, they can't live among us anymore. We keep our identity strong."[1] most have converted to Islam and yet still live nearby in the Kalash villages and maintain their language and many aspects of their ancient culture. By now, sheikhs, or converts to Islam, make up more than 98% of the total Kalasha-speaking population.(Wikipedia)

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• kalash
• pakistan
• ethnic
• travel

[rehana47]

We all should make a sincere effort to visit Kalash at least once to see the beauty of this heritage.Kalash should be declared a UN protected Heritage site for others to see.

[mbbugi]

I hope that the Grown Ups Of Kalash who can Read and write,will Contribute stories Like this ,Instead of Writing lengthy ,Complains against Others Most Of the time,Not answering letters when i ask to translate OLD songs, ELSA Cooper as usual Has Assisted me ,so I translated first Kalash song, on the net with Subtitles,WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY A KALASH Kalash students in CITIES, This Page i want to dedicate to a Girl She is trying to do her PHD,On Education,

[waqasahmed2002]

@dinoboss brother thanks for likinig kalash vlley.am also pakistani butt can,t still visit kalash valley.i hope coming year i shall visit kalash valley.

[EpicFailureArena]

so much respect to them for not letting Islam destroy their culture and traditions. I hope Pakistan becomes secular one day and they can openly practice their traditions in a more developed land.

[jamick84]

It is indeed quite interesting to know that such an ethnic group has kept its values and traditions untouched for so long; yet it worth stating that people with such appearance (European) is not an unusual thing in Central Asia. There are many blue eyed, blond people leaving in Central Asia, which has always made me impressed of the vast diversification the region constituted.

[dinoboss]

amazing genetic diversity within such a small region.

[E9878]

very nice