In the late 19th century the area used to be known as Kafiristan -- Land of the Infidels -- and extended to several valleys in present day Afghanistan. However, the inhabitants of the Afghan Kafir valleys were forcibly converted to Islam, leaving only the tribes of the three valleys of Rukmu, Mumuret, Biriu (in Kalasha) (Rambur Bomboret and Berir in Khowar) to carry on their centuries-old animistic culture. One of the major attractions of Chitral are the Kalash valleys- the home of the Kafir-Kalash or "Wearers of the Black Robes", a primitive pagan tribe. Their ancestry is enveloped in mystery and is the subject of controversy. A legend says that five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kafir-Kalash. The history of the Kafirs remains obscure but some consider them to be the descendant of the armies of Alexander the Great ( B.C.327). They say that some Greek cultural elements can partly be identified in Kafiristan.

For example, the sports and games in Nuristan (wrestling and shot-put etc.) were supposedly practiced in the ancient Olympics. Secondly, their features are thought to resemble those of the South-European characteristics. Thirdly, it is believed that the Greeks had an influence on their music.

They consider that these "facts" seem to point to their Ancient Greek origin. But there is no conclusive evidence.

It is true that in "The Invasion by Alexander the Great's" by Arrianus and Plutarchos, the authors state that the army of Alexander reached "Nisa" which is thought to be Kafiristan. But the leader of Nisa proclaimed to him that they were the descendants of Dionysus (Bacchus) that came from Greece long ago. G.Woodcock (1966) thinks that Nisa is one of the colonies of Greece which was scattered widely throughout Achamenid Persia before the times of Alexander.

I think that of the Indo-Aryan expansion from the land near the Caspean Sea (B.C.1500-1000) those who came south in the first wave were the ancestors of the Kafirs. Those who came south in the second wave were the ancestors of the Indians, the third wave included the ancestors of the lranians.Linguistically, the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-Aryan (Indo-European) family of languages is divided into three main groups: Indian, Iranian, Kafiri. The latter is considered to be the oldest, but there is no proof for this.

I do not deny the influence of Ancient Greece upon Kafiristan. This is a possibility, but the Greeks would have been in the minority, there --- the majority of the ancient Kafirs were a different race from the same original land as the Greeks. Any subsequent Ancient Greek influence would have been easily adopted by the Kafirs because of their common origin.

Kalash Religious Festivals

Four famous festivals are held each year in the Kalash society. They are.

Chilimjusht or Joshi
14th and 15th of May each year. During this festival flowers are plucked, dance sessions are held and exchange of dairy products takes place.

Uchal
This festival is held in mid July. Celebrated to mark harvest season with dancing, singing and feasting for two days.

Pool
It is held on 20th to 25th September to celebrate the ripening of grapes and walnuts. They never touch grapes before this festival.

Chaumas or Chitirmus
Held in December from 15 to 21. This festival is celebrated with great pump and show on the onset of New Year. A number of interesting events mark this festival.

Other religious Activities are as under:

Mrachiwaki Joshi (29/May)
Held ten days after the Joshi. After dividing and eating newly made cheese at the altar of Mahandeo, dances and songs continue.

Rat Nat (July - August)
Dancing and singing at night continue for one month.

Uchao (Middle of August)
Newly made cheese is brought from the pastures. Ceremony is held at the altar of Mahandeo. Dancing and singing take place until dawn.

Prechiaishi (November)
Goats are sacrificed to Mahandeo by each clan in thanks for the harvest and health.

Biramor (November)
Very rare festival held only in November in which a man wishing to gain honour in the society slaughters many of his own goats and entertains a large majority of the Kalasha. It takes place once in several ten years.

Sariack (November - December)
Wedding party. She-goats are sacrificed to Jeshtak and prayers are offered for the couple. Dance and songs.

Pu and Budalak (October)
Festival only held in Biriu. Dancing and singing continue for three days. After Pu, grapes are allowed to be harvested. After that, a festival is held for the Budalak who returns from long stay in the pastures. He is a young goatherd who has some special sexual power and privileges.