UCHAO UCHAL FESTIVAL

Let's have a look at the most vibrating and colourful summer festival,UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL of KALASH VALLEY.The UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL is celebrated annually in KALASH VALLEY and the colours of this fill the air with beauty.

UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL: Duration

KALASH celebrates their annual harvesting UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL in the month of August every year. UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL is celebrated at the time of harvest of wheat and barley. For this festival Bamboret and Rumbur valleys of KALASH are important because these are main areas for the cultivation of these crops. Visitors from all over the world, despite persistent security threats, come to enjoy the joyful festivity of UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL and convey a very peaceful image of PAKISTAN to the rest of the world. PAKISTAN also appreciates unique culture hidden in KALASH VALLEY. The place and people are close to nature. People come here for the sake of pleasure. So, how can it possible that its festivals less worth-celebrating...

UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL: Celebration

UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL reflects the cultural richness and the harmony in their society.It gives an excellent opportunity to celebrate the beginning of summer and to give a message of peace to the world. KALASH people take a procession to a high plateau which is located outside to the village in Balangkuru and they pray to the God and this is where the long night of dancing begins.Kalasha people during UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL pay homage to god by celebrating the harvest and also thanking their God for blessing them with good food and crops. Lavish distribution of cheese and other milk products are made to mark this occasion, while singing and dancing is part of each KALASH festival. On this festival KALASH people sing, dance and pay homage to the nature for it’s blessing with Wheat and Barley etc.

UCHAO UCHAL FESTIVAL

UCHAO or UCHAL: Dancing and singing

The fact is: /// KALASH & DANCE are made for each other///
KALASH people morn the death of their beloved ones with dancing so how can it possible that they miss the chance to dance and sing during celebrations. The people of KALASH adore the music and dance to the beat of drums and both men and women share these moments of dancing together during the festivities.In their traditional dresses of vibrant colours, they celebrate UCHAO or UCHAL with full excitement. They dance and sing in a cirlce on the rhythmical chant of drum beats.

UCHAO UCHAL FESTIVAL

UCHAO or UCHAL: Security

However, Chitral is one of the most peaceful regions of PAKISTAN and the security is merely a necessary precaution yet Security forces have been deployed along all roads leading to the KALASH VALLEY. All visitors are required to register themselves at multiple checkpoints to ensure no militant attempts to infiltrate the gathering.

UCHAO or UCHAL: Visitors

Almost all hotels in Bamburet valley are booked in advance before the festival, but tourists with craze to enjoy UCHAO or UCHAL don't hesitate to stay under the open sky due to non-availability of rooms in hotels. Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) has also established a tent village for the tourists. UCHAO or UCHAL Festival is always a roaring success. Scores of tourists poured in to celebrate and enjoy the festivities with KALASH at UCHAO or UCHAL. Visitors hail the generosity, characteristics and unique attire and festivals of KALASH, after catching a glimpse of the religious festival, lavish praise on the KALASH people for having treat them with love and care, urging others to pay a visit as well.

UCHAO UCHAL FESTIVAL

UCHAO or UCHAL: Conclusion

Along the mystic banks of KALASH VALLEY, UCHAO or UCHAL is celebrated with full fervor and enthusiasm. You'll leave enthralled after practically watching and feeling the majestic sounds of singing and dancing, catching the picturesque view of the valley’s scenic beauty and feeling proud of the cultural diversity and legacy PAKISTAN has to offer. UCHAO or UCHAL celebration highlight their cultural richness, plethora of colours and the underlying message of peace.

//ENJOY THE UCHAO/UCHAL FESTIVAL IN THE PICTURESQUE VALLEY//

UCHAO UCHAL FESTIVAL

Apart from the most important UCHAO or UCHAL FESTIVAL: KALASH community celebrate three others annually- CHILAM JOSHI, PHOO, CHAUMOS. So, keep reading my other posts about other colourful festivals of KALASH VALLEY.

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By: ~~Hayat Maidah~~

UCHAO UCHAL FESTIVAL