PESHAWAR – Every year in May, the remote Kalash valleys of Chitral come alive with sound, colour, and prayer. The Chilam Joshi Festival, celebrated by the Kalash people to welcome spring, is currently underway. Locals have begun donning traditional black robes, intricate headpieces, and beaded jewellery that echo centuries of cultural continuity.
Unlike other festivals in Pakistan, Chilam Joshi is not merely an occasion. It is a declaration of identity, spiritual renewal, and community resilience. As the snow melts across the Hindukush range, Kalash men and women descend from their wooden homes to dance, sing, and offer milk to the gods — marking the start of the agricultural cycle.
Tourists return, but traditions remain unchanged
Despite its remote location, the Chilam Joshi festival has seen a steady return of both domestic and foreign tourists. According to tourism department officials in Chitral, hotels in the region are fully booked, and local guides are back in demand. Many visitors come for the spectacle, but few understand the deeper significance.
The Kalash believe that Chilam Joshi strengthens spiritual harmony. Offerings of milk to nature deities are made in gratitude for past harvests and in hope of future abundance. Traditionally, this is also the season when young people express interest in marriage — making it a time for new beginnings in every sense.
However, the community’s numbers are shrinking. With only around 4,000 Kalash people remaining, the festival has become a statement of survival. Yet, the people remain steadfast. Even as some youths migrate to cities for education and jobs, elders teach Kalash songs, myths, and dances to the next generation. This ensures the rituals continue, even as the world around them changes.
Culture, conservation, and the challenge of visibility
Over the years, increased tourism during Chilam Joshi Festival has brought both opportunities and risks. On one hand, visibility offers economic relief to a marginalized group. On the other, it raises fears of cultural erosion. Kalash leaders have urged visitors to respect religious spaces and not treat ceremonies like performances. In response, local NGOs and government bodies have launched awareness campaigns to educate tourists.
Nevertheless, the Chilam Joshi Festival endures. With every drumbeat and every step of the traditional Cha dance, the Kalash remind the world that they are not relics of the past. They are a living, breathing community — proud of their heritage, and fiercely protective of it.
As the sun dips behind the snow-capped peaks and fires light up the valleys, the songs of the Kalash echo across the mountains. The message is clear: spring has arrived, and so has hope.
