Chilam Joshi Festival Wraps Up in Kalash Valleys

The Chilam Joshi Festival, one of the most vibrant and ancient celebrations of the Kalash people, concluded successfully this May in Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir. The four-day event marked the arrival of spring and paid homage to nature with rituals, traditional dances, songs, and communal feasts. Tourists from across Pakistan and abroad joined in the festivities, which also featured handicraft stalls, local food, and cultural exhibitions. For the Kalash community, the festival is both a spiritual and social occasion, reinforcing identity and connection to ancestral land. Security and cultural preservation were emphasized this year, with support from local police, volunteers, and NGOs. Efforts were made to ensure the privacy of Kalash women and to discourage exploitative photography.