Kalash Festival Bomburet near Chitral

This colourful festival called 'Chilim Jhusht' is held every year In Bomburet valley near Chitral. It is to announce the arrival of spring. According to their belief and ancient traditions, this is the time to celebrate it with joy and festivities. These populations are known as Kafir Kalash in Pakistan but not many people know that they are the descendents of Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great who passed through the region of present day Pakistan in 625 BC. It is also said that when Alexander the Great fell sick and wanted to return back to Macedonia, a part of his army refused to follow him. Instead, some of soldiers went further up north and got settled in Gilgit, Hunsza, Gulmit regions, some went to Chitral and then to Bomburet and Birir valleys and a third part remained within in premises of present Khyber Pahhtoonkhaw. A minority of these soldiers went to Afghanistan. This is the reason why inhabitants of these valleys have clear eyes.

Kalash girls are especially dressed up for this occasion with beautifuls costumes and a ceremoney of group dance and chants is held and it creates a certain ambience. This festival is quite popular not only locally but it also attracts western visitors.