The Kalash community’s 15-day annual Chaumos festivities began in Chitral in all its traditional colours and rituals.

The festival is celebrated each year in December to usher in the new year with hopes of a better future for members of the community. The festival’s day coincides with the winter solstice.

Men and women don the traditional Kalash attire and participate in dances as traditional food is prepared.

Participants of the festival have to undergo a purity ritual by fire before they are allowed to enter the festival. The fire ritual is of two types, one for women and children and another for men.

The festival is celebrated in all three valleys of the Kalash – Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir.

Chitral’s district administration has completed all the arrangements for the festival.

However, in new restrictions, vloggers and YouTubers have been barred from recording any video of the festival without permission from authorities.