Kalash People
The Kalash are a small Indigenous people living in the Kalash Valleys (Bumburet, Rumbur, Birir) of Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, in the Hindu Kush mountains.
Their population numbers only about 4,000–5,000.
The Kalash are known for their vibrant polytheistic traditions, colorful clothing, music, dance, and unique festivals. They are often described as a “living ancient culture” of Asia.
Igbo Flag and Symbols
shushut
・Colorful traditional dress (especially women’s headpiece “shushut”)
・Traditional wooden houses and embroidery patterns
Language
・Name： Kalasha-mondr (Kalasha language)
・Language Family：Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Dardic > Chitrali group
・Speakers： About 4,000–5,000
・Grammar： Features agglutinative structures, gender and number in nouns, SOV (Subject–Object–Verb) word order
・Usage： Spoken daily within the community, but Urdu and Khowar are often used in schools and official situations
Script
Writing System
・Traditionally oral; written Kalasha now uses the Latin alphabet (romanized script).
・No unique script, but a standardized Latin-based orthography is being adopted.
▶Example Image – Kalasha Alphabet
THE KALASH TIMES
Common Kalasha Greetings and Phrases
| English | Kalasha | Pronunciation |
| Hello | Ishpata | ee-SHPA-ta |
|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Ishpata | ee-SHPA-ta |
| Thank you | Bo shukria | bo SHOO-kree-a |
| Nice to meet you | Basha waira | BA-sha WHY-ra |
| Good night | Sumi ba | SOO-mee ba |
| Delicious | Shapash | SHA-paash |
| Fun/Enjoyable | Khosh as | KHOSH as |
Note
Written Kalasha is still being standardized, so spelling and pronunciation may vary by source.
Region
Continent: Asia
Region: Hindu Kush mountains, Kalash Valleys (Bumburet, Rumbur, Birir), Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Access Guide
the Kalash People Region
Example Routes to the Kalash People (Pakistan, Chitral District)
| Departure City | Direct/Transit | Arrival Airport | Flight Time (approx.) | Reference Fare (one-way/round-trip, Economy) |
| Los Angeles | LA → via Doha/Turkey/Europe → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 18–24 hr | US$950–1,600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | NY → via Istanbul/Doha → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 16–21 hr | US$900–1,500 |
| London | London → via Doha/Turkey → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 10–14 hr | £400–700 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo → via Bangkok/Doha/Dubai → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 14–19 hr | ¥120,000–200,000 |
| Sydney | Sydney → via Bangkok/Doha → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 17–23 hr | A$1,200–1,900 |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong → via Doha/Thailand → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 10–16 hr | HK$6,500–9,500 |
| Shanghai | Shanghai → via Bangkok/Doha → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 12–18 hr | CNY4,800–7,500 |
| Singapore | Singapore → via Bangkok/Doha → Islamabad | Islamabad Airport (ISB) | About 11–15 hr | S$850–1,400 |
Language Origin
Language Origin & Historical Background
・Kalasha is an Indo-European language with ancient roots, showing similarities with Greek and Sanskrit in vocabulary and grammar.
・Their long isolation in the mountains helped preserve their distinct language and culture.
・Despite pressure from surrounding Islamic society, the Kalash have retained their unique beliefs and traditions.
Traditional Games
For Children
Tash
A simple game using stones or sticks—throwing, picking, and counting, similar to jacks or marbles.
Climbing trees and hide-and-seek
Physical play in the natural environment is common.
For Adults
Traditional dances
Traditional dances (group dances during Chaomos and Uchal festivals)
Polo and wrestling
Competitions between villages, especially during festivals.
Introduction video
Summary
・The Kalash are a small, colorful minority in Pakistan, famous for their ancient polytheistic culture, bright clothing, and traditional music and dance.
・Their language, Kalasha-mondr, is Indo-European, now written using a Latin-based script.
・Group dancing and physical games remain core parts of Kalash cultural life.