There is an euphoria among the people of Kalash valley in Chitral district in the ongoing Chitirmas festival. The men, women and children on Sunday made various items and toy animals of wheat flour and distributed them in Ramboor, Bamburet and Birrir valleys. The people also celebrated various events including Mandahek and sharaberayak festivals. They made toy animals like cows, markhor and symbols of their ancestors from the flour and baked them in the fire. These toy animals then placed in the sun.
Similarly, Mandahek festival was also celebrated during which tree branches were set on fire and kept one minute silence by the people. A number of foreign tourists have reached Kalash valley to enjoy the event with the indigenous tribe.
Beginning on December 7 and to be continued till 22nd of the current month, the phase of bonfire competitions in the festival has already completed.
Earlier, the children gathered at their sacred place, collected twigs and branches of pine trees and made bonfire to show skills in making high flames and smoke. Making high flames and smoke is meant to welcome peace, prosperity, minerals, green grass and love among the people of the indigenous tribe in the ensuing winter and spring seasons. The children while holding green leaves and branches of trees also sang songs and performed chorus to enjoy the festival. Kalash is a small non-Muslim ethnic community in Chitral. The Kalash people are also found in Nuristan province of Afghanistan.