Chilimjusht festival concludes with much funfair

CHITRAL: The Chilimjusht festival concluded with much funfair at the scenic Bamburet valley on Thursday.The festival, which heralds the arrival of spring season, was celebrated in the three Kalash valleys of Bamburet, Birir and Rambur.

As part of the religious and cultural traditions, the local residents distributed dry fruits and other gifts among the visitors and guests. Rituals of marriages of young boys and girls were also held on the concluding day.

The Kalash Valleys Development Authority (KVDA) and the district administration of Lower Chitral had made all arrangements for the event to facilitate international and domestic tourists and local residents to celebrate the festival in a befitting manner.

Lower Chitral Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Imran was the chief guest on the occasion while tourists from Japan, Canada, UK, and other foreign countries and local residents attended the event in a large number.

The organisers said that this year the participation of local and foreign tourists was tremendous and that almost all hotels in Bamburet valley had been booked well before the start of the festival.Of the three Kalash festivals, Chilimjusht, which normally lasts for three to four days, is considered to be the most important and longest one.

Young girls and boys sing and dance in groups in community halls; houses are decorated, and the Kalash people wear new clothes specifically made for the event.The main feature of the festival is the selection of life partners for unmarried boys and girls.

They dance to the traditional music and drumbeats.The Kalash girls spend lavishly on the purchase of clothes and ornaments for the event and the occasion is being used to show off their financial wealth.

Such festivals are being highlighted to introduce the serene valleys, ensure the access of local and foreign tourists to the beautiful sites of the province, and provide them with better facilities during their stay.Earlier, the festival simultaneously kicked off at the scenic Bamburet, Birir and Rambur valleys in Lower Chitral district.