Ground Report

CHITRAL:  A two days long Hansariat celebration started at Bumborate (Kalash valley) on inaugural ceremony of newly constructed Jashtakhan (worship place of Kalash community). According to Kalash doctrine they cannot enter the new Jashtakhan until they celebrate its inaugural ceremony (Hansariat festival).  This is new Jashtakhan in this area. To celebrate Hansariat celebration Kalash men and women gather from all villages throughout the valley they beating drum and ringing flute and women folk performing folk dance. They gathered in a open field and then enter in the newly constructed Jashtakahan. Kalash people slaughter 40 to 50 goats, ox and cow to entertain their guests on this occasion. The Jashtakhan was constructed by the efforts of Kalash valley Health & Education welfare Society Bumborate Noorshahiddin president of the society told this scribe.

Hundred of domestic as well as foreign tourists approach to Kalash valley (Bumborate village) to watch these colorful programs. Kalash women performing folk dance on the beating of drum that is a part of their worship it will be continue until afternoon of Saturday. The old and elites Kalash men and women appreciating and hailing efforts, services and good work of their elders during these festivals and the spectators and their well wisher put money in their cap and head to encourage and honor them. Which is a part of their honoring and respect each other. The Hansariat festival is celebrating only once as and when a new Jashtakhan constructed for worship of Kalash community where they gathered and celebrate Charon Mas festival. It is worth to mention here that Kalash people also celebrate a function and festival in case of death of a kalash person. They celebrate their festival for 3 days in case of death of a man and slaughter 50 to 100 goats during this period they singing songs in Jashtakhan and hailing and appreciating services of deceased person. While in case of death of a woman they celebrate one day function and slaughter 20 to 50 goats.  Kalash people are famous in world level having importance on international level due to their unique culture, dress, method of their worship, customary practices as well as different religious and seasonal festivals as well as celebrating festival on the death of their family members instead of mourning over them.