In Urdu
“وادی کالاش ۔۔۔ جہاں وقت تھمتا ہے حتمی تاریخ کا ابھی تک کسی کو سو فیصد اندازہ نہی مگر نوے فیصد لوگوں کا کہنا اور ماننا یے یہ علاقہ سکندر اعظم کے ساتھیوں نے اباد کیا تھا ۔۔ سکندراعظم, ایران کو شکست دینے کے بعد نورستان سے ہوتے ” درہ استوائی ” کے زریعے چترال میں آیا ۔۔ اور پنجاب سے ہوتے سندھ تک فتح حاصل کرتا گیا بلوچستان کے ذریعے واپس چلا گیا ۔ سکندر اعظم جس علاقے سے گزرتا, ادھر کے غیر اباد علاقوں میں اپنے بندے چھوڑتا جاتا تھا, مجھے اس بات پہ یقین اسی لیے ایا کیونکہ تاریخ بتاتی ہے سکندر اعظم کی جنم بھومی شمالی یونان کے جس گاوں میں ہوئ تھی وہ ” آیونی ” یے اور چترال میں سب سے قدیم اباد علاقے کا نام بھی ” ایون ” ہے ۔ اس علاقے میں اباد لوگ کا پہلا مہذب ” گریک ” ہی تھا مگر صدیوں بعد جیسا کہ اصول ہے لوگ بدلتے ہیں رسومات بدلتی ہیں اور پھر مہذب کی شکل بھی تبدیل ہوجاتی ہے ۔۔۔ ایسا ہی اس علاقے میں ہوا, ” سردار کالاش ” نے ایک نیا مہذب روشناس کرایا اور اپنے بادشاہ یعنی سکندر کی نسبت طاقت کا نشان ” گھوڑے ” کے مجسمے اپنی عبادت گاہوں ” مالوش ” میں رکھ دیے ۔ اس بات سے یہ چیز کنفرم ہوگئ, کالاش مہذہب کا نام یے تہذیب یا قوم کا نہی حقیقتا ان لوگوں کی بہت رسوم اور انداز یونانیوں جیسا ہے ۔۔۔ ہم بمبوریت جس ہوٹل میں رکے تھے اسکا نام بھی حسن اتفاق سے ” الیگزینڈر ” تھا ۔۔ اس علاقے کو کافرستان بھی کہا جاتا رہا ہے کیونکہ یہ مسلم ایریا نہی تھا, مگر اب نوے فیصد لوگ زبردستی یا دل سے اسلام قبول کرچکے ہیں ۔۔ بدقسمتی صرف یہ ہے, کالاشے اپنی اصل پہچان کھو رہے ہیں نہایت زیادتی والی بات ہے, کیونکہ ان کا کلچر لباس اور رہن سہن کا تعلق اسلام قبول کرنے نہ کرنے سے نہی انکی اپنی پہچان سے ہے جو رفتہ رفتہ ختم ہورہی ہے ۔۔۔ ” نہی ہونی چاہیے” ۔۔ کالاشی لباس, نہایت خوبصورت اور شدید دیدہ زیب ہے۔ ان کا ہیڈ کور بھی انکی ایک دلکش پہچان ہے جو مختلف موقع پہ مختلف انداز کا ہوتا ہے ۔ خوشی کا الگ اور دکھ کا الگ ۔ ان کا کمیونٹی ہال نہایت پختہ طریقہ ہے ایک دوسرے سے ملنے اور مسائل حل کرنے کا جسے ” جسٹک ہان ” کہتے ہیں ,یہ ان کا ڈانسنگ ایریا اور موسم خراب ہونے پہ عبادت گاہ بھی ہوجاتی ہے اسکے ستون پہ گھوڑے پھول وغیرہ کندے ہیں اصل کالاشی, مرنے کا نیا جنم سمجھتے تھے ان کے مطابق انسان مرنے کے بعد اپنی دوسری زندگی شروع کرتا ہے کسی پاکیزہ خوبصورت جگہ, وہ لوگ دھوم دھام سے باڈی کو چارپائ / کھلا تابوت / یا تخت پہ رکھ کے کھلی جگہ چھوڑ آتے تھے تاکہ چرند پرند ان سے اپنے آپ کو زندہ رکھیں, مرد تابوت میں کلہاڑی کا نشان یا رائفل کی گولی کھدی ہوتی اور خواتین کے تابوت میں کسی زیور کا نشان بشالی, یہ عورتوں کا علاقہ ہے جہاں مرد ہی کیا کوئی مسلم بندی بھی الاؤ نہی, صرف کالاشی عورتیں اس جگہ اپنے ماہانہ سرکل اور ڈیلوری کے وقت موجود ہوتی ہے ۔ ان کا کھانا پینا سب گھر والے کرتے وہ اس جگہ آرام کرتی ہیں ایسے بہت سی انوکھی چیزیں ہیں جن کا ختم ہونا ہمارے لیے باعث شرم ہوگا, کیونکہ یہ ایک تہذیب ہے جسے زندہ رہنا چاہیئے ۔ ۔۔کاش کالاشے اپنے علاقے اور پہچان کو بچاکے رکھ سکیں ۔۔۔۔۔۔ ۔کالاش, درحقیقت تین بڑی وادیوں پہ مشتمل ہے اور ان وادیوں میں بھی چھوٹے چھوٹے گاوں موجود ہیں ۔۔ اسے اگر ہم تین حصوں میں ہی تقسیم کر دیں تو اسانی سے سمجھا جاسکتا ہے بمبوریت رمبور بریر بمبوریت اور رمبورکمرشل ہوچکی ہیں اصل کالاش کو محسوس کرنا ہوتو اپ کو بریر جانا ہوگا ۔۔جہاں کی گلیاں, گھر, لباس اور رہن سہن ایکدم اپ کو صدیوں پرانے وقت میں لے جائےگا اور اپ محسوس کروگے ” وقت تھم گیا ہے””.
In English
“Kalash Valley … where time stands still no one has a 100 percent estimate of the final date but 90% of people say and believe that this area was inhabited by Alexander the Great’s allies … Alexander the Great, to defeat Iran He came to Chitral via “Dara-e-Astwai” via Nuristan and after conquering Sindh from Punjab he went back through Balochistan. Yes, I believe this because history tells us that the birthplace of Alexander the Great in the village of Northern Greece is “Avoni” and the name of the oldest inhabited area in Chitral is also “Avon”. I was the first civilized “Greek” of the settled people but centuries later as is the rule people change the rituals change and then the form of civilized also changes …
This is what happened in this area, “Sardar Kalash” has a new He enlightened the civilized people and placed statues of “Horse” symbols of power over their king Alexander in their places of worship “Malosh”. The name is not of the civilization or the nation. In fact, their customs and style are very similar to that of the Greeks. The name of the hotel where we stayed in Bamburit was also coincidentally “Alexander”. This area has also been called Kafiristan because it was not a Muslim area, but now 90% of the people have converted to Islam by force or by heart. The only misfortune is that the Kalashas are losing their true identity.
“Shouldn’t be …” Kalashi dress is very beautiful and very beautiful. Their head cover is also their charming identity which is different on different occasions. Separate happiness and separate sorrow. Their community hall is a great way to meet and solve problems called “Justic Han”, it becomes their dancing area and also a place of worship when the weather is bad. Horses and flowers are carved on its pillars. According to them, after death, a person starts his second life in a clean and beautiful place. Keep yourself alive from them, men would carry an ax or rifle bullet in the coffin and put an ornament in the women’s coffin.
This place is present during its monthly circle and delivery. There are so many unique things that it would be a shame for us to lose them, because it is a civilization that must survive. I wish Kalasha could save his area and identity. Kalash, in fact, consists of three large valleys and there are also small villages in these valleys. If we divide it into three parts, then it can be easily understood that Bamburit, Rambur, Barir, Bamburit and Rambur have become commercial. You have to go to Barir to feel the real Kalash. Take in the centuries old time and you will feel “time has stopped”.
In Urdu
وادی کالاش ۔۔۔ جہاں وقت تھمتا ہے
حتمی تاریخ کا ابھی تک کسی کو سو فیصد اندازہ نہی مگر نوے فیصد لوگوں کا کہنا اور ماننا یے یہ علاقہ سکندر اعظم کے ساتھیوں نے اباد کیا تھا ۔۔ سکندراعظم, ایران کو شکست دینے کے بعد نورستان سے ہوتے ” درہ استوائی ” کے زریعے چترال میں آیا ۔۔ اور پنجاب سے ہوتے سندھ تک فتح حاصل کرتا گیا بلوچستان کے ذریعے واپس چلا گیا ۔
سکندر اعظم جس علاقے سے گزرتا, ادھر کے غیر اباد علاقوں میں اپنے بندے چھوڑتا جاتا تھا,
مجھے اس بات پہ یقین اسی لیے ایا کیونکہ تاریخ بتاتی ہے سکندر اعظم کی جنم بھومی شمالی یونان کے جس گاوں میں ہوئ تھی وہ ” آیونی ” یے اور چترال میں سب سے قدیم اباد علاقے کا نام بھی ” ایون ” ہے ۔ اس علاقے میں اباد لوگ کا پہلا مہذب ” گریک ” ہی تھا مگر صدیوں بعد جیسا کہ اصول ہے لوگ بدلتے ہیں رسومات بدلتی ہیں اور پھر مہذب کی شکل بھی تبدیل ہوجاتی ہے ۔۔۔ ایسا ہی اس علاقے میں ہوا, ” سردار کالاش ” نے ایک نیا مہذب روشناس کرایا اور اپنے بادشاہ یعنی سکندر کی نسبت طاقت کا نشان ” گھوڑے ” کے مجسمے اپنی عبادت گاہوں ” مالوش ” میں رکھ دیے ۔
اس بات سے یہ چیز کنفرم ہوگئ, کالاش مہذہب کا نام یے تہذیب یا قوم کا نہی
حقیقتا ان لوگوں کی بہت رسوم اور انداز یونانیوں جیسا ہے ۔۔۔
ہم بمبوریت جس ہوٹل میں رکے تھے اسکا نام بھی حسن اتفاق سے ” الیگزینڈر ” تھا ۔۔
اس علاقے کو کافرستان بھی کہا جاتا رہا ہے کیونکہ یہ مسلم ایریا نہی تھا, مگر اب نوے فیصد لوگ زبردستی یا دل سے اسلام قبول کرچکے ہیں ۔۔ بدقسمتی صرف یہ ہے, کالاشے اپنی اصل پہچان کھو رہے ہیں نہایت زیادتی والی بات ہے, کیونکہ ان کا کلچر لباس اور رہن سہن کا تعلق اسلام قبول کرنے نہ کرنے سے نہی انکی اپنی پہچان سے ہے جو رفتہ رفتہ ختم ہورہی ہے ۔۔۔ ” نہی ہونی چاہیے” ۔۔
کالاشی لباس, نہایت خوبصورت اور شدید دیدہ زیب ہے۔ ان کا ہیڈ کور بھی انکی ایک دلکش پہچان ہے جو مختلف موقع پہ مختلف انداز کا ہوتا ہے ۔ خوشی کا الگ اور دکھ کا الگ ۔
ان کا کمیونٹی ہال نہایت پختہ طریقہ ہے ایک دوسرے سے ملنے اور مسائل حل کرنے کا جسے ” جسٹک ہان ” کہتے ہیں ,یہ ان کا ڈانسنگ ایریا اور موسم خراب ہونے پہ عبادت گاہ بھی ہوجاتی ہے اسکے ستون پہ گھوڑے پھول وغیرہ کندے ہیں
اصل کالاشی, مرنے کا نیا جنم سمجھتے تھے ان کے مطابق انسان مرنے کے بعد اپنی دوسری زندگی شروع کرتا ہے کسی پاکیزہ خوبصورت جگہ, وہ لوگ دھوم دھام سے باڈی کو چارپائ / کھلا تابوت / یا تخت پہ رکھ کے کھلی جگہ چھوڑ آتے تھے تاکہ چرند پرند ان سے اپنے آپ کو زندہ رکھیں,
مرد تابوت میں کلہاڑی کا نشان یا رائفل کی گولی کھدی ہوتی اور خواتین کے تابوت میں کسی زیور کا نشان
بشالی, یہ عورتوں کا علاقہ ہے جہاں مرد ہی کیا کوئی مسلم بندی بھی الاؤ نہی, صرف کالاشی عورتیں اس جگہ اپنے ماہانہ سرکل اور ڈیلوری کے وقت موجود ہوتی ہے ۔ ان کا کھانا پینا سب گھر والے کرتے وہ اس جگہ آرام کرتی ہیں
ایسے بہت سی انوکھی چیزیں ہیں جن کا ختم ہونا ہمارے لیے باعث شرم ہوگا, کیونکہ یہ ایک تہذیب ہے جسے زندہ رہنا چاہیئے ۔ ۔۔کاش کالاشے اپنے علاقے اور پہچان کو بچاکے رکھ سکیں
۔۔۔۔۔۔
۔کالاش, درحقیقت تین بڑی وادیوں پہ مشتمل ہے اور ان وادیوں میں بھی چھوٹے چھوٹے گاوں موجود ہیں ۔۔ اسے اگر ہم تین حصوں میں ہی تقسیم کر دیں تو اسانی سے سمجھا جاسکتا ہے
بمبوریت
رمبور
بریر
بمبوریت اور رمبورکمرشل ہوچکی ہیں اصل کالاش کو محسوس کرنا ہوتو اپ کو بریر جانا ہوگا ۔۔جہاں کی گلیاں, گھر, لباس اور رہن سہن ایکدم اپ کو صدیوں پرانے وقت میں لے جائےگا اور اپ محسوس کروگے ” وقت تھم گیا ہے”
In English
Kalash Valley Where time stops
No one has a 100% estimate of the final date yet, but 90% of the people say and believe that this area was settled by Alexander the Great’s associates. Alexander the Great came to Chitral via the “Equatorial Pass” from Nuristan after defeating Iran. He went from Punjab to Sindh and went back through Balochistan.
Alexander the Great used to leave his slaves in the uninhabited areas through which he passed.
I believe this because history tells us that the village in which Alexander the Great was born in northern Greece is “Avon” and the name of the oldest inhabited area in Chitral is “Avon”. The first civilization of the people settled in this area was “Greek” but centuries later, as is the rule, people change, rituals change and then the form of civilization also changes. This is what happened in this area, “Sardar Kalash” introduced a new civilized light and placed statues of “Horse” as a symbol of power over his king Alexander in his places of worship “Malosh”.
This confirms that Kalash is the name of a religion, not a civilization or a nation.
In fact, many of their customs and styles are similar to those of the Greeks.
The name of the hotel where we stayed in Bamburit was also coincidentally “Alexander”.
This area has also been called Kafiristan because it was not a Muslim area, but now 90% of the people have converted to Islam by force or by heart. The only misfortune is that the Kalashas are losing their true identity. “Shouldn’t be …”
Kalashi dress is very beautiful and very beautiful. Their head cover is also their charming identity which is different on different occasions. Separate happiness and separate sorrow.
Their community hall is a great way to meet and solve problems called “Justic Han”, it becomes their dancing area and also a place of worship when the weather is bad.
Original Kalashi, considered the new birth of death, according to them man begins his second life after death in a clean beautiful place, they would leave the body in the open space by placing the body on the bed / open coffin / or throne. Keep the birds alive from them,
The male coffin was engraved with an ax or rifle bullet, and the female coffin with an ornament.
Bashali, this is an area of women where there is no Muslim or man-made bonfire, only Kalashi women are present in this place at the time of their monthly circle and delivery. When everyone in the house eats and drinks, they rest in this place
There are so many unique things that would be a shame for us to lose, because this is a civilization that must survive. I wish Kalasha could save his area and identity
…
Kalash, in fact, consists of three large valleys and there are also small villages in these valleys. It can be easily understood if we divide it into three parts
Bamburit and Rambour have become commercials. To feel the real Kalash, you have to go to Brar – where the streets, houses, clothes and lifestyle will suddenly take you back to the centuries old time and you will feel “time has stopped”.
Chitral (Mohkam-ud-Din) Snow and rain fell in many parts of Chitral on Monday, including Lowry Tunnel, Midklisht, Kalash Valleys, Bagusht, Gabor and Upper Chitral. Five inches of snow fell on the Lowry Tunnel. Which badly affected transportation. Road clearing continued on the tunnel. However, due to intermittent snowfall, vehicles faced severe difficulties and danger in crossing the road. The descent from the small tunnel of Lawari to Chitral and the ascent to Dir which is a constant pain for passengers and vehicles. People had to suffer a lot. Because of the slipperiness of the vehicles, the passengers got out of the vehicles for fear of any possible accident and were forced to walk. However, large vehicles and non-Chinese passenger vehicles were not allowed. Due to the snowfall, many vehicles were stuck in the snow around Lowry. And the people were guided. Avoid unnecessary travel. Snow continued to fall throughout the day in Chitral’s tourist destinations Mudklisht and Kalash Valleys. Which has accumulated a considerable amount of ice. Local youth have started skiing in Midclift. Similarly, in the Kalash Valley Bamburit, for the traditional creek car, the village of Inez has regularly invited Brown to compete in the creek car on Tuesday. While a friendly match between Brown and Kandisar was also played today. Which ended without a defeat. A long drought has ended in Chitral due to snowfall. And the amount of water in the streams has now increased. But the reason for the severe cold is that the snow does not melt. That is why private power plants, including the Golan Hydel Power Station, are facing water shortages. Therefore, load shedding has become commonplace. The upper parts of Chitral, Khot, Yarkhon, Trich and various places of Garm Chashma have heavy snowfall. However, access roads have been restored.
چترال ( محکم الدین ) پیر کے روز چترال کے مقامات لواری ٹنل ، مڈکلشٹ ، کالاش ویلیز ، بگوشٹ ، گبور اور اپر چترال کے کئی علاقوں میں برفباری اور بارش رہی ۔ لواری ٹنل پر پانچ انچ برف پڑی ۔ جس سے آمدورفت بری طرح متاثر ہوئی ۔ ٹنل پر روڈ صاف کرنے کا سلسلہ جاری رہا ۔ تاہم وقفے وقفے سے برفباری کی وجہ سے گاڑیوں کو روڈ عبور کرنے میں شدید مشکلات اور جانی خطرے کا سامنا کرناپڑا ۔ لواری کے چھوٹے ٹنل سے چترال کی طرف آنے والی اترائی اور دیر کی طرف جانے والی چڑھائی مسافروں اور گاڑیوں کیلئے جو مستقل دردسر بنا ہوا ہے ۔ لوگوں کو شدید تکلیف سے دوچار ہونا پڑا ۔ کیونکہ گاڑیوں کے پھسلن کی وجہ سے مسافر کسی بھی ممکنہ حادثے کے خوف سے گاڑیوں سے نیچے اترے اور پیدل چلنے پر مجبور ہوئے ۔ تاہم بڑی گاڑیوں اور بغیر چین کے مسافر گاڑیوں کو اجازت نہیں دی گئی ۔ برفباری کی وجہ سے کئی گاڑیاں لواری کے آس پاس برف میں پھنسی رہیں ۔ اور لوگوں کو ہدایت کی گئی ۔ کہ غیر ضروری سفر سے گریز کریں ۔ چترال کے سیاحتی مقامات مڈکلشٹ اور کالاش ویلیز میں دن بھر برفباری جاری رہی ۔ جس سے کافی مقدار میں برف کی تہہ جم چکی ہے ۔ مڈکلشٹ میں مقامی طور پر نوجوانوں نے اسکینگ کا آغاز کیا ہے ۔ اسی طرح کالاش وادی بمبوریت میں روایتی کریک گاڑ کیلئے انیژ گاوں نے برون کو باقاعدہ طور پر منگل کے روز کریک گاڑ کے مقابلے کی دعوت دی ہے ۔ جبکہ برون اور کندیسار کا دوستانہ میچ بھی آج کھیلا گیا ۔ جو بغیر ہار جیت کے اختتام پذیر ہوا ۔ چترال میں برفباری سے طویل خشکی ختم ہو گئی ہے ۔ اور ندی نالوں میں اب پانی کی مقدار میں اضافہ ہوا ہے ۔ لیکن شدید سردی کی وجہ برف کا پگھلاو نہ ہونے برابر ہے ۔ اس لئے گولین ہائیڈل پاور سٹیشن سمیت پرائیویٹ بجلی گھر پانی کی قلت سے دوچار ہیں ۔ اس لئے لوڈ شیڈنگ معمول بن چکا ہے ۔ چترال کے بالائی علاقوں کھوت ، یارخون ، تریچ اور گرم چشمہ کے مختلف مقامات میں برف کی مقدار زیادہ ہے ۔ تاہم رابطہ سڑکیں بحال ہیں ۔
Dear traveler! Hi/Ishpata from the ancient kingdom of Kalash valley, this is Ekbal Kalash. I am here to contact you all , learn, share and grow with the people around the world, if you are interested to visit my hometown in Bamboorate valley Chitral Pakistan as well as the three Kalash valley’s then don’t hesitate to contact me.
Good news!The space where my exhibition takes place is considered part of the church. And this one is OPEN. So….. the doors are open again and with the added bonus that the exhibition has certainly been extended until March 1 (and perhaps until the end of March!). Opening hours 10.am to 4.pm. Thanks to Claar Habets from the organization!I’M THRILLED!A friend of mine took the following photos during her visit, these clearly show that a visit is worth it. If someone wants an additional explanation, an appointment can be made via this e-mail address.Cordial greetings!Monique Derwig….FOR enlightenment in the visions of tomorrow
Pass the torch on to others
Hold on to the memories of Yesterday
For even a small memory goes a long long way
and fulfills its purpose in eternity.
QUOTE By- M.Bugi
Help Declare KALASH a Tribe in Hindukush Mountains as a United Nations World Heritage Site.
We are Helping Kalash since 1971:
http://www.indigenouspeople.net/chitral.htm
https://www.change.org/p/secretary-general-of-united-nations-help-preserve-kalash-a-tribe-in-pakistan-for-united-nations-protected-site#invite
Nuristan, also spelled Nurestan or Nooristan, (Nuristani/Pashto: نورستان) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the eastern part of the country. It is divided into seven districts and has a population of about 140,900. Parun serves as the provincial capital.It was formerly known as Kafiristan (کافرستان, “land of the infidels”) until the inhabitants were converted from a form of ancient Hinduism, to Islam in 1895, and thence the region has become known as Nuristan (“land of illumination”).The primary occupations are agriculture, animal husbandry, and day labor. Located on the southern slopes of the Hindu Kush mountains in the northeastern part of the country, Nuristan spans the basins of the Alingar, Pech, Landai Sin, and Kunar rivers. Nuristan is bordered on the south by Laghman and Kunar provinces, on the north by Badakhshan province, on the west by Panjshir province, and on the east by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.Further information:
History of Afghanistan – Early history
The surrounding area fell to Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. It later fell to Chandragupta Maurya. The Mauryas introduced Buddhism to the region, and were attempting to expand their empire to Central Asia until they faced local Greco-Bactrian forces. Seleucus is said to have reached a peace treaty with Chandragupta by giving control of the territory south of the Hindu Kush to the Mauryas upon intermarriage and 500 elephants.Alexander took these away from the Indo-Aryans and established settlements of his own, but Seleucus Nicator gave them to Sandrocottus (Chandragupta), upon terms of intermarriage and of receiving in exchange 500 elephants.’
Strabo, 64 BCE–24 CESome time after, as he was going to war with the generals of Alexander, a wild elephant of great bulk presented itself before him of its own accord, and, as if tamed down to gentleness, took him on its back, and became his guide in the war, and conspicuous in fields of battle. Sandrocottus, having thus acquired a throne, was in possession of India, when Seleucus was laying the foundations of his future greatness; who, after making a league with him, and settling his affairs in the east, proceeded to join in the war against Antigonus. As soon as the forces, therefore, of all the confederates were united, a battle was fought, in which Antigonus was slain, and his son Demetrius put to flight.
Junianus JustinusHaving consolidated power in the northwest, Chandragupta pushed east towards the Nanda Empire. Afghanistan’s significant ancient tangible and intangible Buddhist heritage is recorded through wide-ranging archeological finds, including religious and artistic remnants. Buddhist doctrines are reported to have reached as far as Balkh even during the life of the Buddha (563 BCE to 483 BCE), as recorded by Xuanzang.In this context a legend recorded by Xuanzang refers to the first two lay disciples of Buddha, Trapusa and Bhallika responsible for introducing Buddhism in that country. Originally these two were merchants of the kingdom of Balhika, as the name Bhalluka or Bhallika probably suggests the association of one with that country. They had gone to India for trade and had happened to be at Bodhgaya when the Buddha had just attained enlightenment. The region was historically known as Kafiristan (meaning “Land of the kafirs”) because of its inhabitants: the Nuristani, an ethnically distinctive people who practiced a local polytheistic religion.
It was conquered by Emir Abdur Rahman Khan in the late 19th century and the Nuristani people began converting to Islam.The Kafirs are thought to be the original inhabitants of the plains country of Afghanistan in what is now Nuristan. They were driven back into the mountain areas by the arrival of Islam in the country about 700AD. They are thought to be the descendents of the old native population that used to occupy the region, and they did not convert to Islam with the rest of the population, remaining pagan for several more centuries.[8]— Frank Clements, 2003British missionaries wrote:The Kafirs were largely independent until the late nineteenth century, when the region was attacked by the forces of Abdur Rahman and the population was more forcibly converted to Islam.
The region was renamed Nuristan, meaning Land of the enlightened, a reflection of the “enlightening” of the pagan Nuristani by the “light-giving” of Islam.Nuristan was once thought to have been a region through which Alexander the Great passed with a detachment of his army; thus the folk legend that the Nuristani people are descendants of Alexander (or “his generals”).Abdul Wakil Khan Nuristani is one of the most prominent figures in Nuristan’s history. He fought against the British-led Punjabi army and drove them out of the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. He is buried on the same plateau where King Amanullah Khan is buried…After Joining few Friends from Nooristan here is what I found Great wood works of Nooristan.
In Afghanistan
Rescued and Patched, Afghan Art Back on ViewBy CARLOTTA GALLDEC. 28, 2004KABUL, Afghanistan – The newly repaired National Museum of Afghanistan opened its first exhibition in 13 years this month, a display of life-size pre-Islamic idols smashed by the Taliban three years ago and now painstakingly restored by a museum and international experts.The wooden statues from Nuristan, one of Afghanistan’s mountainous northeastern provinces, are an apt subject for an inaugural exhibition. Museum staff had worked hard to hide the collection from looters and Islamic fundamentalists intent on destroying all idols and artistic depictions of the human form. The figures, from what was formerly known as Kafiristan, or Land of the Heathens, are ancestor effigies and animistic and polytheistic gods, representing beliefs and traditions that were practised there little more than 100 years ago.
“This is part of our culture and we should preserve it,” said Fauzia Hamraz, director of the ethnographic collection, who helped piece the statues back together. “Our country is an Islamic country, but displaying these things will not destroy our religion.”The statues, as well as carved doors, pillars and furniture, date from the 18th and 19th centuries. The figures were brought to Kabul by the army of Emir Abdur Rahman, a ruler of Afghanistan who forcibly Islamized Kafiristan in 1896 and renamed it Nuristan, or Land of Light.The 14 statues that remain stand like silent sentries, with primitive flat faces, large turbans and headdresses, skirts and gaiters, similar to the clothes still worn in Nuristan. Many are warriors, one astride a horse, one armed with an axe and a dagger. Another sits on a throne.
They come from different tribes in Nuristan’s high valleys. In addition to the ancestor effigies, others represent the pantheon of gods once worshipped by the local people, said Prof. Max Klimburg, director of the Afghan-Austrian Society and a longtime expert on the Kafirs of the Hindu Kush mountain range. One with a moon face, thought to be Disanri, the goddess of goat fertility, sits astride a mountain goat and rests her face between its horns.There are also elaborate carved wooden bedposts that depict embracing, seated couples with legs entwined. Remarkably, they escaped the attention of the ax-wielding Taliban.The statues were packed away in the early 1990’s as the country threatened to dissolve into civil war after the withdrawal of the occupying Soviet army. Some were stored in the Ministry of Culture, some in the Kabul Hotel and some in the museum itself, on the western side of Kabul, which came under heavy rocket fire in 1993.
Some pieces looted then are still missing, said Professor Klimburg, who donated a number of his own discoveries from Nuristan to the museum in the 1970’s. A large male bust he found in 1971 and temple posts with deity figures acquired by a Kabul museum expedition in 1976 are missing, he said. One figure, an effigy from the Kafirs of the Kalash valley in Chitral, in neighbouring Pakistan, was found cut in half at the waist by smugglers who were trying to export it. It was seized by customs at the Kabul airport. In April 2001, as extremists gained the upper hand in the Taliban government and blew up the giant Buddha statues at Bamiyan, armed men turned on the museum collection. The staff managed to hide the most valuable pieces in old crates, but the larger ones, including the figures from Nuristan and many Buddhist and Kushan statues, were smashed. The wooden figures were splintered with an axe into as many as 20 pieces.It took more than a month of intense work by staff and a visiting Austrian-Italian wood restorer financed by the Austrian government to reconstruct the figures. Even the tiniest slivers of wood were salvaged and, where appropriate, a mixture of paint, chalk and glue was used to fill in gaps. The cracks are barely visible now, and the figures look as they did when last on display 13 years ago.
School children and youth groups have been among the early visitors to the exhibition. “They ask many questions,” Ms. Hamraz said, smiling. “They ask why the Taliban didn’t destroy all the broken pieces.”But that question still haunts her and the staff just three years after the Taliban was removed and peacekeepers of the International Security Assistance Force, known as I.S.A.F., arrived in Kabul.”As long as I.S.A.F. are here,” Ms. Hamraz said, “I don’t think anything will happen. But if they leave, we could have insecurity again and maybe those who did these things would come back again.”.Old Kalash Sculptures — in Kabul Museum,, Afghanistan.Houses,Picture from OLD kalash (kasivoh) Waigal Afghanistan.
EMPEROR has no Clothes; *TELENOR*, Also you all should UNITE, in solving the Problem.
I call a Lot to Sher Rehmat Wali….My Student since 1989,… As it takes one Hour’s good Walk in his Direction…to reach his Home It is an UpHill task,, ….. recently we collaborated with Chitral Pedia.
There are No Quick Fixes,in KALASH, The Solution is Collective Not Individual, NOR in One Valley ALONE,, I know Personally the Owner of Telenor. My Sister Modelled for Him….In Commercials,,, and he became a FAMILY FRIEND.
EDUCATION the Big Leaders Spokepersons of the Kalash,….. We Should Contact Him Directly,
Install Solar Panels, in the Grid of nearby Station of Telenor,…….So when extra SOLAR ENERGY, which is not used is Fed Into the MAIN Grid; There are many Firsts among Kalash:
First Teacher, First Lawyer, First MNA, Wazir Zada. Going to the police is a Good idea…At Least there is Documented PROOF,,,,,, But the solution Lies Collectively; Start a Petition on the Internet,…..Speak to Diplomats….. Those who give smaller levels of aid.
They should also Give as AID: Solar Panels, Energy Saving Bulbs, Extra Electric Wires, to connect,,,, SOLAR ENERGY Panels are the Solution; Kalash are Growing In Numbers So they should also proceed With Modern Technology.
Ishpata To All Kalash Children, Help Preserve Kalash Groups, active since 1980!
No Monkey Business For Kids; They are Our Future!
Ibex (Halden) in Borith Lake, Hunza
An Uncertain Future for the Kalash People of Pakistan
HinduKush | Harvesting Festival
3000-year-old cemetery discovered in Chitral, Pakistan
Disappearing World of the Kalasha
Grandmother of Wali, A Kalash wood Carver
Burushaski Song and Images of My Adopted Kalash Families
As animists, the Kalash Kafirs live by cultural practices which clash with those of the Muslim Pakistanis’ that surround them. Their identity is constantly undermined by their Muslim neighbours. Help comes in the form of volunteers from Greece who believe that the Kalash people are part of their own ancient history and worth preserving. New facilities are being built but such help comes at a price. ”They are building in their own way…I think they should build like Kalash,” complains villager Mohammed. Whether fact or fiction, the Kalasha realise the commercial value of their founding myth and so are keen to preserve it. However, it is their spiritual life and beliefs that they feel are under threat by the growing hostility of fundamentalists. With jobs promised to those that convert, over 6,000 have reluctantly given up their bright national dress to become Muslim. For the Kalash people, both their past and future remain uncertain.
For more information, visit:
https://www.journeyman.tv/film/1793
The Kalash are the subgroup of a larger ethnic group Known as the Darads for the last 5000 years mentioned in the Hindu Holy Books (Vedas) and Zoroastrian Holi Book (Avasta) and Greek History written by Herodotus. The Daradic sub groups range from 15 to 20 all total with different language dialects with slight and significant difference. The biggest of all Dardic groups of all the Darads is the Sheens/Shinawals/Shinawars (Sheena Speakers-Shinakey or also called Hulasa) which are spread over a vast area such as KPK, AJK, Indian Held Guraiz Valley in Indian Controlled Kashmir and in Kargil, Ladakh in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The group of Dards in Ladakh Kargil are divided into 3 faiths- Muslims, Buddhist and Sheen Aryans who still practice their ancient Sheen Aryan Daradic religion and culture, they live in the Villages/Valleys of Dah & Hanu….They are also about to become extinct through conversion to Islam and Buddhism, mostly converting to Islam because 99% of the Darads are muslims and have converted to Islam from Afghanistan to Kashmir and Ladakh.
The conservation of their culture and religion is direly needed as the “REMAINING AND LAST MEMORY OF ANCIENT HUMAN HISTORY”. This faith of Aryan Darads of Dah and Hanu are even much older than the Kalash faith and culture…..and thought to be much older and purer than the Kalash. All the Sheen Aryan Darads used to practice this version of Aryan Faith unlike the Kalashi Daradic version. Word Kalash in Sanskrit stands for “Pure” while in Persian it means “wicked” hence needs a research for the difference in meaning given by both the mighty neighbors of Darads/Dardistan, the Indians/Hindus/Sindus and the Parthians/Persians. The Kalashi faith in Chitral and in Noor Darra (Bashagal-Nooristan) are thought to be massively adulterated and influenced by Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Jainism, Greeko Roman, Buddhism and Abrahamic religions, faiths, culture and civilization due to the terrain being fragile and vulnerable for invasions from North, south and Western Asia due to their territory located on the famous South and Central Asian trade, migration and invasion route, the Khyber pass, Nangarhar, Lagman, Kapisa and Kabul valley in Afghanistan.
Whereas, the Sheens of Dah and Hanu was located in the remotest inaccessible very high snow and glacier bound far-flung valleys in the extreme North of Bamistan, accessible only for 05 Months (June -October) in the Karakoram and Himalaya who have not been disturbed, displaced and destabilized much by invaders and non Daradic religions and civilizations hence their faith and culture remained intact and safe for a greater extent than the Darads of Noor Darra and Kalash. They were the neighbors of Buddhist and Muslim Balties who were peaceful and harmony loving they had always harmonious relations and had a strong culture of mutual coexistence….Unlike the Darads of Afganistan and Pakistan, all conversion in Ladakhi Dards has been totally on a voluntary basis as Ladakh and Baltistan has never been invaded by any Muslim Religious Army and all conversions in Ladakh and Baltistan whether to Islam or Buddhism have been purely on a voluntary basis due to the miracles and preachings of Buddhist and Muslim Saints.
Indigenous Peoples Literature 