The annual religious and cultural festival “Chilim Joshi” has begun in the Kalash Valley of Chitral, adorned with colours, traditions and dance.
The annual religious and cultural festival “Chilim Joshi” has begun in the picturesque Kalash Valley of Chitral. Locally called “Zushi”, the festival will continue for three days.
Kalash men and women dressed in colourful clothes are expressing their joy by dancing to traditional tunes. The festival begins from Rumbor while it ends with religious rituals in the Bamboret Valley.
Domestic and foreign tourists are visiting the valley in large numbers to get a closer look at this rare culture.
Read also: Traditional Qaqlasht festival kicks off in Upper Chitral
Chilim Joshi is not only a religious festival but also a beautiful symbol of Pakistan’s cultural harmony.
History and Significance of the Chilam Joshi Festival
The Chilam Joshi Festival is an ancient festival of the Kalash Valley, rich in history and religion, with a unique cultural identity and thus relevant to the Kalash community. The festival is held in honour of their idols and to seek blessings for the coming year. Traditionally, it is a four-day celebration in recognition of the three major Kalash valleys: Bamboret, Rambor, and Barrer.
There are other rituals that precede the actual observance of the festival, with songs and dances. A key feature of the festival is the matchmaking event, where young men and women participate in traditional dances to find potential life partners.
