The house of Kalash people are built of timber, the cracks between the logs being filled with mud abd pebbles. In summer the women sit to cook, spin and weave on the wide second-storrey verandah. In winter they cook inside; the smoke escapesthrough the central hole in the cantilevered wooden ceiling. Chitral, Pakistan.
Chitral's prime attraction is the Kalash valleys, home of the 3,000 non-Muslim Kafir Kalash (or Black Infidels) who live in 20 small villages in the valley of Birir, Bumburet, southwest of Chitral town and close to the Afgan border. Chitral, Pakistan.
The kupas, the headdress of the women, is a mark of Kalash identity. Covered with cowrie shells, it is an appeal for protection and fecundity. No women may go bare-headed, without the kupas or at least without the headdress support, the shushut, which is also decorated with cowrie shells, beads, bells, buttons and pompoms. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash girl from Rumbir village. Most of the Kalash are pale skinned and some fair hair and blue eyes, all of which give rise to the usual legend that they are descended from the followers of Alexander the Great. Theyare called the Kafir Kalash (Kalash meaning black) because of their women's black robes. Chitral, Pakistan.
The kupas, the headdress of the women, is a mark of Kalash identity. Covered with cowry shells, it is an appeal for protection and fecundity. No women may go bareheaded, without the kupas or at least without the headdress support, the shushut, which is also decorated with cowry shells, beads, bells, buttons and pompoms. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash mother and daughters stand outside the entrance to the sanctuary God Mahandeo at Rumbur village. The horse head symbolizes the presence of the divinity. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash women preparing bread on metal griddles. Chitral, Pakistan.
Custom does not regulate the dress of Kalash men. They have simple adopted the Pakistani form of dress, the salwar-kamiz, a long cotton tunic worn over baggy trousers and a Chitrali cap. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash walks along on the irrigation canal carrying fodder for stall-feeding his animals. The Kalash clan, located in Northern Chitral, Pakistan depend on farming and herding for a livelihood. Chitral, Pakistan.
The kupas, the headdress of the women, is a mark of Kalash identity. Covered with cowrie shells, it is an appeal for protection and fecundity. The headdress is the first object that fascinates any penetrating into Kalash territory. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash men. Custom does not regulate te dress of Kalash men. They hav simple adopted th Pakistani form of dress, the salwar-kamiz, a long cotton tunic worn over baggy trousers and a Chitrali cap. Chitral, Pakistan.
Funeral procession weaves below Rumbir village. The Kalash bury their dead. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash boys. Custom does not regulate the dress of Kalash men. They have simple adopted the Pakistani form of dress, the salwar-kamiz, a long cotton tunic worn over baggy trousers and a Chitrali cap. Chitral, Pakistan.
Relatives of the deceased lament and weave their hands above the body so as to assist the soul to detach itself. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash boys pay homage to the funerary statutes dedicated to the Kalashi ancestors. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash architecture are of their own kind. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash musicians accompanying the dancers at the Biramor Winter Solstice ceremony. Chitral, Pakistan.
Dances evoking an amorous state of being, during the Biramor Winter Solstice ceremony. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalsha kids dancing during the festival. Dances evoking an amorous state of being, during the Biramor Winter Solstice ceremony. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash women participating in Biramor Winter Solstice ceremony in their traditional attire. The kupas, the headdress of the women, is a mark of Kalash identity. Covered with cowrie shells, it is an appeal for protection and fecundity. No women may go bareheaded, without the kupas or at least without the headdress support, the shushut, which is also decorated with cowrie shells, beads, bells, buttons and pompoms. Chitral, Pakistan.
Kalash elder judges traditional folk songs at the Biramor Winter Solstice ceremony. Chitral, Pakistan.
