Bashir Hussain Azad
Chitral, May 16, 2026: The five-day spring festival of the Kalash tribe, known as Chilim Joshi concluded on Saturday after being celebrated with great enthusiasm in three remote valleys located in southern Chitral.
The main event of the closing ceremony was singing and dancing at the central dance ground in Bumburet, where hundreds of Kalash boys and girls performed traditional group dances for hours.
Kalash Valley: A Living Heritage
Another key activity of the day was a procession in which around 1,000 people of all ages and genders participated. The procession concluded at the dance site (Charso).
Participants carried freshly cut apricot branches, which they kept waving throughout the walk as part of their belief.
Kalash people from the other two valleys, Rumbur and Birir, also gathered in Bumburet Valley to attend the concluding ceremony.
Unlike previous years, a large number of both local and foreign tourists visited the valleys during the festival, and hotels in the area were fully occupied.
During the festival, the Kalash Valleys Development Authority (KVDA) made arrangements for cleanliness, parking, and facilitation of tourists.
Traditional games shine in Kalash spring festival
Speaking to the media on the occasion, KVDA Director General Fidaul Karim said that Kalash culture is ancient and unique in nature.
He added that, in recognition of its importance, UNESCO has included the Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Birir, and Rumbur in its tentative World Heritage list this year, making this year’s Chilam Joshi festival even more significant.