[Online]Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/apr/17/pakistan-taliban-hindu-kush, The Committee for Cultural Policy, 2016. Remembering the Barbary Slaves: White Slaves and North African Pirates, Seahenge: A Subaquatic Monument of the European Bronze Age, Shahr-i Sokhta, Mysteries of the Burnt City of Iran, Ancient Gandhara Kingdom Was A Melting Pot That Left Its Legacy in Art. At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. This little-known people have maintained their customs, rituals and identity for almost 2,300 years. The Kalash are G haplogroup, DNA. Some scholars have suggested the name may refer to Seleucus Nicator , one of Alexander’s generals who did rule over the region after the Greek armies had departed. The Cold Case of Alexander the Great: Have Toxicologists Finally Explained His Untimely Death? At times, this issue even erupts in violence. [1] As such, the Kalasha Valleys are a source of attraction for Pakistani as well as International tourists. [6] The people generally do not intermarry or cohabit regions with local Muslims but neither are they hostile towards them. The inhabitants of the valley are the Kalash people, who have a unique culture, language and follow a form of ancient Hinduism. It is the metal that was used to fashion weapons such as the famous Damascus blades of the Middle Ages. Their customs and traditions are contradictory to the Islamic and Pakistani culture. Kalash Minority Seeks UNESCO Protection For Cultural Heritage; Pakistan Makes Excuses. The G group is not Alexandrian. Religious identity is constructed both socially and culturally and transmitted to the next generation. In the north of Pakistan, in the Rumbur Valley surrounded by the cold Himalayan mountains, there is an ethnic group of approximately 3,000 inhabitants: the Kalash. Alternatively, it has been hypothesized that the Kalash are of Indo-Aryan stock. • Mostly Kalash are polytheist and nature plays an essential spiritual role in their traditional religion. Kalash people are the smallest religious as well as the ethnic minority of Pakistan. Furthermore, the names of Kalash deities also resembles Greek gods and goddesses and there are many words in the Kalash language (also called Kalasha) which resemble Greek words. In 2014, geneticists looked into the claims and they found that the Kalash people do have portions of their DNA coming from ancient European populations. The Kalash can be found in the Chitral District, which is situated in the northwestern Pakistani region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan: The free women of Kalash. [Online]Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/a-little-known-pakistani-tribe-that-loves-wine-and-whiskey-fears-its-muslim-neighbors/2016/08/15/9a8483aa-5273-11e6-b652-315ae5d4d4dd_story.html?utm_term=.90dc45439eab, Kalash People, 2017. Kalash Valley is situated in District Chitral of province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The pride that the Kalash have in their way of life, as well as their awareness of its remarkable nature would undoubtedly go far in their efforts to preserve it for future generations. Pakistanis are not threatening the Kalash people to convert to Islam (it is just propaganda against Pakistan and Islam. Although the Pakistanis proper converted to Islam over the centuries, the Kalash people retained their pagan traditions and worshiped their ancient gods in outdoor temples. The former, for instance, involves extremists who prey on the weak, and create internal division between the Kalash, whilst the latter involves the promise for better treatment and services for converts. The federal government appealed the decision. This in a Muslim country that forbade alcohol. Their culture is interlinked with their religion and based upon several festivals and celebrations. The origins of behavioral modernity and what exactly makes us human are topics which have fascinated people for hundreds of years. Only the larger part of the Kalash, living in three of the western valleys of Chitral, have retained their old, pre-Islamic religion and rituals, while the rest of the Nuristani and Dardic speaking peoples have retained, as Muslims, only vestiges of their former beliefs. One is that they are the descendants of the Greek soldiers who followed Alexander the Great on his Indian campaign. Local people have mentioned that many of the educated Kalash young women have converted to Islam and married outside the community. The word Sunni is an Arabic word, Sunnah, which are used to refer to Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and saying as recorded in hadith. With only 3,000 people in the community, local leaders have been alarmed and concerned about the number of people that have left the Kalash belief system. The culture of Kalash is at the verge of getting extinct. [Online]Available at: http://kalashpeople.com/, Khan, M. I., 2016. They live in three specific valleys in this area, Bumboret, Birir, and Rumbur. Drumming is a male occupation among the Kalash people. Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam in both the world an… ... Religion of Kalash Valley. Now there are just 4,000. [Online]Available at: https://committeeforculturalpolicy.org/pakistans-kalash-seek-unesco-protection-for-cultural-heritage-pakistan-demurs/, Williams, B. G., 2014. - Shah Abu'l Ghazi Sultan Mirza Husayn Bayqarah = the great grandson of Emperor Timurlane. There are fears that these moves lead to abandonment of their culture. - Baba Ayub Mirza who was also a disciple of the saint Kamal Shah Shams ud-din Tabrizi. Kalash Solstice: Winter Feasts of the Kalash of North Pakistan. There are two major hypotheses regarding the ancestry of the Kalash. As a matter of fact, this bid for recognition is an attempt by the Kalash to safeguard their culture. The Kalasha participants believed that unless they were legally recognized as a separate religion in Pakistan, attempt to have Kalasha religion… It has been said that their religion is a type of Hinduism that recognises many Gods and spirits. Scholars, specifically sociologists, anthropologists and historians, as well as photographers, are particularly drawn to the Kalash, and many visit them each year. They speak the Kalasha language. However, a report on the Kalash people on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty shows that missionary work continues in other ways, such as through converted Kalash people encouraging family members to follow their lead and the lack of education discussing Kalash culture, language, and history in schools; though Kalash children are taught about Islamic theology and Koranic scripture alongside their Muslim peers. The Kalash tribe has managed to preserve their unique religion and practices in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, mainly because Kalash is guarded by the towering mountains of the Hindu Kush, so they were cut off from the outside world for so long. Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2011 Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods.... Read More. " The Accidental Mummy: the discovery of an impeccably preserved woman from the Ming Dynasty. Lost Golden City Discovered in Luxor, How King Arthur Became One of the Most Pervasive Legends of All Time. The Kalash religion at one time flourished in the Hindu Kush region. Over the centuries, however, armies and members of competing faiths moved in, … Lilith: Ancient Demon, Dark Deity or Sensual Goddess? Huma Saeed, 16, a resident of Anizh, says that love is one of the main causes encouraging young Kalasha girls to say adieu to their families and the centuries-old Kalash religion. AFP — Updated Feb 13, 2014 06:24pm. Kalash women and children in traditional bright costume. The people generally do not intermarry or cohabit regions with local Muslimsbut neither are they hostile towards them. - Ayub Mirza was the grandson of Shah Abu'l Ghazi Sultan Mirza Husayn Bayqarah, The valleys are surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range. The Kalash religion is polytheist faith similar to ancient forms of Hinduism and the people offer sacrifices for their gods. the Chitral District was a fully independent monarchy until 1885" The mythical mushroom portals of the supernatural, Is Bigfoot Real? In this video, we are travelling to a lesser-known place on planet Earth, a remote valley in Pakistan, an area where the ancient group of Kalash lives. Pakistani Taliban threaten Kalash tribe, Ismailis in Chitral Yet another perceived threat to the Kalash culture is modernization. Conservative Muslims in Pakistan's northwest are blaming the animist Kalash for a powerful earthquake that flattened entire villages in October, claiming their immoral ways provoked Allah's wrath, in the latest attack on a diminishing tribe fighting to keep its identity alive. (2014) on the DNA of the Kalash people showed evidence of input from modern day Germany and Austria between 990 and 210 BC, a period that overlaps with that of Alexander the Great." Alexander the Great: Was he a Unifier or a Subjugator? The Kalash are polytheistic and continue to practice their ancient pagan religion. of people joining Islam is increasing day by day in the world so, one can not say that they are being forced to convert to Islam. I am Hassan Mujtaba from Pakistan. Many consult Shamans, priests, to cure the sick, communicate … For example, the way Kalash women behave, and the rights they have, is quite different from the conservative Islamic outlook held by their neighbors. The Kalash people are also noted for their fair skin and blue eyes, leading to a popular hypothesis that they were of Greek origin, specifically the descendants of Alexander the Great’s … In 2016, for example, it was reported that clashes broke out due to a row over a teenage girl’s conversion to Islam and since then, Pakistani authorities have banned Tablighi (a Sunni Islam missionary movement) from entering the valley where the violence occurred. Mr. Wu Mingren, There is pressure, both direct and indirect, to convert the Kalash to Islam. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. A drummer during the Joshi festival in Bumberet, Pakistan. Kalash tribe constitute the smallest ethnic and religious group of Pakistan with a population of only 4000 people. "In the 1970s there were a number of forced conversions. In the 1990s, for example, thousands of people visited the area annually, though these figures have dropped since 9/11. Kalash seem to have strikingly similar culture compared to Armenians living in Armenia. However, during the last two decades, protection by the Pakistani government has seen the Kalash double in number. [Online]Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36562014, Rickett, O., 2011. Their customs and traditions are contradictory to the Islamic and Pakistani culture. The total area of Bumburet valley is 180 Km religiousidentity by virtue of one's birth, they say that sq out of which 51 Km sq is habitable and cultivable.religion … Pakistan and therefore the Kalash people became citizens In Hinduism it is believed that one was assigned one's of Pakistan. Kalash People. The people are under legal … Women are the particular savior of Kalash culture who wears heavy traditional dresses, turbans, and jewelry when. Two of her aunts became Muslim the same way. But the smooth co-existence between the Kalash and Muslims has been fading in recent months and the area is suffering from many of the religious tensions marring the rest of Pakistan. The Kho’s are Sunni Muslim and Ismaili Muslims. King Arthur is one of, if not the, most legendary icons of medieval Britain. Kalash people have their own religion. https://www.peopleofar.com/2012/01/14/the-six-pointed-star-of-armenia/. But no one can say for certain where exactly it was located. Pakistan is very diverse, both ethnically and religiously, but religious-leaning groups call it one Islamic nation while ignoring the thousands of years of history of many nations and communities. Their culture is interlinked with their religion and based upon several festivals and celebrations. The Copper Age: When Metallurgy Came to Rule the World. When the couple marries, the woman typically converts to Islam and adopts the non-Kalash culture. Nonetheless, while modernization generally kills traditional cultures, it has been indicated by some that it is doing the opposite to this particular culture. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. Oxygen Deprivation Led To Altered States For Subterranean Artists, Benjamin Hornigold and the Republic of Pirates, New Kind of Neolithic Age Human Burial Ritual Found in Spanish Cave, Bacho Kiro Cave Reveals Volumes About Human-Neanderthal Relationship. The Kalash neither believe in any prophet nor do they have any sacred scripture. Their carving of eternal wheel can be seen in Armenian carvings dating back 5000 years ago. over 1/2 the Kalash people have converted to Islam and other Muslim communities are settling here. Among the Kalash religion is the main divine force for their cultural identity. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? The video also accuses international NGOs of creating an “Israel” like state in Chitral by attempting to protect the Kalash culture and take people away from Islam, and vows to foil their plans. "The ruling family of Chitral traces its descent from The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to include the Kalasha religion on the national census form … Most anthropologists consider the Kalasha Religion to be polytheistic, because it has many deities. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Kalash People. The Kalash are considered to be an indigenous people of Asia, with their ancestors migrating to Afghanistan from a distant place in South Asia which the Kalash call "Tsiyam" in their folk songs and epics. In contrast to most places of Pakistan, women and men are not separated and are free to choose their partner. Written by French writers, Jean-Yves … The people of Kalash are divided into two religions Islam and Kalash‘s traditional religion. When compared to their Muslim compatriots, the Kalash have a strikingly distinct lifestyle and culture. Wootz steel was amongst the finest in the world. One of the major reasons for the dwindling of this community is love. Kungagraven – A Grave Fit for a Nordic Bronze Age King, But Who Was Buried Inside? They became known as the Nuristanis (meaning ‘enlightened ones’) following their conversion. Mystery of the Fetus Found in a Bishop’s Coffin Solved! [19]" The Kalash follow various social customs and rituals. Kalash women are allowed to marry whomever they wish, to divorce their husbands, and even to elope. [Online]Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13469826, Craig, T., 2016. Pakistan clashes over Kalash teenager's conversion. adjudged favourably in 2015, directing the authorities that Kalash religion should be included in the population census. [citation needed], The three remote valleys are home to the animist Kalash people, http://www.tourism.gov.pk/kalash_valley_nothern_areas.htm, http://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472097830-02.pdf, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalasha_Valleys&oldid=1015324797, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Kalasha-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 31 March 2021, at 20:42. Top image: This is a woman of the Kalash culture. The Kalash, with unique culture, traditions, rituals, values, festivals and dress, are a tribe from Chitral – the northern district of the Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province. By having contact with the outside world, for instance, the Kalash are teaching others about their culture. In Kipling’s The Man Who Would be King , the Kalash who held onto their ancient ways were referred to as the ‘black kafirs’, a term Kalash people dislike, whereas their neighbors, i.e. How Pyramids Are Pointing to Former Geo Poles, Alignment of the Pyramids of Chichen Itza, What's your favourite Fairy Tales (and their possible origins), The Frightening Discovery of the Mount Owen Claw, Real-Life Lord of the Flies: The Strange and Violent History of Pitcairn Island. - the son of a Khorasan prince, Baba Ayub Mirza Where the West Actually Meets the East—The Tarim Mummies, Battle of Visby: Medieval Massacre Leaves Behind Harrowing Remains of Fallen Soldiers, ‘Mind-blowing’ Find in Egypt! And when Kalash elders discuss their ancestors’ epics at festivals, they often mention a man they believe was one of Alexander’s generals, Shalakash, who they say settled in the region. Kalash people are the smallest religious as well as the ethnic minority of Pakistan. http://www.dawn.com/news/1086564 Let’s Look at Emerging Scientific Evidence, Uncovering Ancient Pyramid Science at Teotihuacan, Where Men Become Gods, Vimanas: Greater Understanding on a Hotly Debated Topic, Unearthing Ancient Magic in The Runes –Messages with Hidden Symbols and Powerful Numbers, Petroglyphic Features of Portable Rock Art, The Northern Mysteries Current: Futhark and Mystery Schools of the Viking Age, 500 ancient artifacts uncovered at the remarkable Bhamala Archaeological Complex in Pakistan, The Spiritual Center of Taxila: One-time Jerusalem and Alexandria of the Buddhist World. This site is said to be near Jalalabad and Lughman according to Morgenstierne. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. ( CC BY-2.0 ). This 2 nd religion is called Animism by some observers. The Kalash are distinct from the rest of Pakistan not only in terms of their religion, colorful dresses, and comparatively fair skin, but also with their liberal approach to marriage. Indeed, conversion to Islam has become one of the issues afflicting the Kalash people today. Islam is not the religion of extremists even the prophet of Muslims (Muhammad PBUH) forgave his enemies. these are the teachings of Islam which persuade people to become the member of Islam by their own willingness not by coercion. In Rumbur, however, where the people are more progressive and there is a stronger belief in the monotheistic concept of one single creator of the universe, Saifullah Jan, the official representative of the Kalasha, says the Kalasha do believe in one supreme god. Although Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, with more than 95% of its population being adherents of Islam, the Kalash hold on to their own religious beliefs, along with their own identity, way of life, and language. RELIGION • People of Kalash are divided between followers of Islam and those who practice traditional Kalash religion. The narrator warns the Kalash, who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death. The Kalash religion is polytheist faith similar to ancient forms of Hinduism and the people offer sacrifices for their gods. There is also a belief among many Kalash people that their ancestors arrived in the region from an unknown land called Tsiyam, which may have existed in southeast Asia . Their Origins May Surprise You, Do you dare enter a fairy ring? Translation of 5,500-Year-Old Babel Text from China Reveals Oldest Known Map of Inner Solar System, The origins of human beings according to ancient Sumerian texts, The Carthusians: Solitary Lives Dedicated to Pure Contemplation, Where are Ashkenazi Jews from? Source: Mr. UmerFarooq/ CC BY-SA 4.0, Abbas, N., 2011. The unique nature of the Kalash culture has also allowed these people to turn to tourism as a source of income. The Kalash people of Pakistan have a fascinating history and culture. Moreover, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that Kalash elders “have strictly prohibited the reentry into their own by those who have converted to Islam.” However, this may not be seen as a punishment, per-se, instead it has been suggested that the “move was driven in part to protect the converts from potential reprisals for leaving Islam.”, Individual people of the Kalash culture. Shaman work as mediator between gods and human beings, his role in Kalash religion is like the role of prophets in the revealed religions. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. they’ll be seen dancing and celebrating when. Ancient Origins © 2013 - 2021Disclaimer - Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy - Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. But this language has no script to compare to Greek and the traditional Kalash stories are passed down orally. Dubbed an elaborate hoax by many, this image has become the... How about a "Books and Literature" forum? "The ruling family of Chitral is the Kator dynasty, founded by Muhtaram Shah Kator (c. 1700-1720), which governed Chitral until 1969, when the government of Pakistan took over." The Kalasha Valleys (Kalasha-mondr: Kaĺaśa Desh; Urdu: وادی کیلاش‎) are valleys in Chitral District in northern Pakistan. Wazir said if a member of a Kalash family becomes Muslim, they have to leave their home because the differences between Islamic traditions and Kalash rituals makes it very difficult to live under one roof. However, though the languages of the Nuristanis and Kalash belong to two ( Public Domain ). Chitral District is divided into two major ethnic communities, Kho and Kalash. Estimates suggest that Kalash converts to Islam may number some 300 people since 2016, though some local reports suggest the numbers are not that high. ---- There are less than 4000 Kalash people left in the world. A decade ago, there were 15,000 non-Muslim ethnic Kalasha in the three valleys of Bumborate, Rumbur and Birir. Being a minority in Pakistan with only 5,000 people, the Kalash people have their own religious beliefs of Animism, as well as a really unique culture.