Kalasha Valleys
Kalash وادی کیلاش | |
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The three remote valleys are home to the animist Kalash people
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| Coordinates: 35°42′2″N 71°41′29″E / 35.70056°N 71.69139°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Chitral District |
| Area | |
• Total | 456.58 km2 (176.29 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,670 m (5,480 ft) |
| Population (2003) | |
• Total | 9,000 |
| • Density | 20/km2 (51/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
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The Kalasha Valleys (Kalasha-mondr: Kaĺaśa Desh; Urdu: وادی کیلاش) are valleys in Chitral District in northern Pakistan. The valleys are surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range. The inhabitants of the valley are the Kalash people, who have their own culture and language, and follow a religion similar to the Historical Vedic religion. There are three main valleys. The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet (Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur is a side valley north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is a side valley of the Kunar Valley south of Bumburet.
The inhabitants of the valleys are the Kalash people, who have a unique culture, language and follow a form of religion that is associated with their surroundings like the mountains and rivers. The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet (Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur (Rukmu) is a side valley north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is a side valley of the Kunar Valley south of Bumburet.