Deep in the Northern Himalayan region of the HinduKush Mountains live two tribes called the Kalash and Khow. Despite the patterns of an ever-changing world, they have sustained their ancient cultures and traditions since approximately 400 B.C. Due to cultural exploitation and uncontrolled tourism, the ancient customs and traditions are in danger of extinction.

The Kalash and the surrounding tribes are said to be the descendants of the army of Alexander the Great. It seems that the Kalash sustained the Macedonian customs and traditions, while the Khow tribe retained King Phillip’s (Alexander’s Father) love of horsemanship, and to this day still play polo, the game of royalty. (Phillip means lover of horses)

There is not enough flat land for agriculture in the HinduKush region. The people live through subsistence farming on mountain terraces, which does not produce enough food for the whole year. There are constant food shortages. The lives of the indigenous people depend on herding livestock, such as sheep and mountain goats. The livestock in turn, depend on the forest. The Forest Corporation of Pakistan has been cutting and selling the forests of the indigenous people for years. The resulting deforestation has caused soil depletion, erosion, and mudslides. Because of the vanishing forests, the centuries-old traditional lifestyle of the indigenous people is also disappearing.

We request that the Forest Corporation immediately return our ancestor’s forests, sacred hills and pastoral sites to the local people.

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The Kalash indigenous people call for:

1. The label of “KAFIR” upon the Kalash tribe must be removed. It is inhumane and unjust. The severe humiliation has placed an irreversible psychological impact upon the Kalash tribe. The Kalash must be respected in accordance to the Human Rights granted to all human beings.
   
2. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has built a huge hotel in the Bumburate Valley that disregards sacred sites and landmarks of the Kalash people. The PTDC hotel, located next door to the traditional menstrual house, is violating the privacy of Kalash women. The PTDC Hotel must be removed.
   
3. The Forest Corporation of Pakistan must return the remaining forests to the local people. They can well maintain their forests according to their ancestor’s traditions.
   
4. Restitutions and reparations must be paid for the damages done to the indigenous people’s natural resources in their territories.
   
5. Pastoral hills are the essential summer home (Ghaari) for the HinduKush dwellers and must be protected. It must not be called a national park.

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The Kalash festivals

There is a misunderstanding of Kalash rituals and traditions. The Kalash people thank the Creator during their festivals. The festival is meant to give thanks to the almighty for blessing them. Their dancing is one way of showing happiness and thankfulness towards the Creator.

JHOSHI 14th - 15th May		This celebration is organized to pay thanks to the Almighty. They celebrate the arrival of the spring season with new hopes and aspirations.
UCHAO 20th August		Kalash people observe Uchao, the harvest celebration to pay homage to the Almighty that blessed them with fruits and other crops. They prepare cheese, buttermilk and corn to celebrate Uchao.
CHOIMUS 7th - 22nd December		Choimus is the function of giving thanks to the Creator for their bumper crop, fruit, animals and food stored for the winter. People sacrifice animals in the name of the Almighty; rejoice with all the blessings such as fruit, cheese and corn. They show their thanks by dancing and singing together, enjoying every moment.

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