Arrival of summer: Chilam Joshi festival to kick off in Kalash today

Chitral Scouts issue security directives to ensure event is held peacefully

CHITRAL:

Chilam Joshi, a four-day festival, will kick off on Wednesday (today) in Kalash Valley, some 27 kilometres from Chitral.

The festival commemorates the arrival of summer and celebrates the abundance of dairy products during the season.

Safety SOPs

All preparations have been made for trouble-free celebrations in the valley. The Chitral Scouts have issued security directives to ensure the festival is held in a peaceful manner. They held a meeting with local elders at Bumboret Valley.

During the meeting, they instructed locals not to allow tourists to stay at their houses and said strict action would be taken against them. Journalists will be required to take permission from the scouts to cover the festival’s events. Tourists will be expected to register their vehicles with the scouts, hire local guides and not carry any weapons.



Even though the festival is being held amid security concerns, locals are ecstatic that the event is taking place.

Got milk

On the first day of the festival, they will decorate their houses with flowers. The following day they will distribute milk among friends and loved ones and participate in the ritual of gulparik. This practice involves the baptism of infants with milk.

Restrictions imposed on mothers with newborn children to attend social events and gatherings have been removed. Their newborn children will participate in the baptism while villagers dance to the beat of the drum.

“This is an opportunity for people living faraway to celebrate,” said Kalash People’s Development Network Chief Executive Luke Rehmat. “The festival gives the message of peace to the world.”

Tourism in Kalash

Local and foreign tourists have also started pouring into Kalash to partake in the celebrations. Many of them are facing difficulties finding accommodations as most hotels in the areas are book to capacity.

“For the people of Kalash, this festival also provides an opportunity to boost their economy through tourism,” said Rehmat.

However, he urged tourists not to act in a manner that violates local customs and adversely impact the way of life of the Kalash tribe.

“Although tourism will boost local economy, I strongly advise tourists not to photograph Kalash women without their consent,” he added.

However, the road leading from Chitral to Kalash is not properly constructed and is considered to be a dangerous route.

“The government has never taken an initiative to construct the road,” Rehmat said. “As a result, tourism in the region has been negatively affected. If the government makes an effort in this regard, more tourists will visit the valley.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2015.