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Name: Iltaaf ur Rehman
ID: BSCS MF14 ID125
Dept: IT
National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad
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Introduction
Location
History
Religion
Popular Places
Climate
Culture
Chitrali Culture
 Marriage
 Music
 Dress
 Traditional Dishes
 Languages
Kalash
Kalash Culture
Passes
Ending
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Chitral (Urdu: Chitral,
Khowar: Chetrar) is the
capital of Chitral District,
situated on the western bank
of Chitral River (also called
Kunar River), in KPK
Pakistan. It also served as the
capital of the former princely
state of Chitral until 1969.
The town is at the foot of
Tirich Mir, (The highest peak
of the Hindu Kush).
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Coordinates: 35°50′46″N
71°47′09″ECoordinates35°50
′46″N 71°47′09″E
Country: Pakistan
State: NWFP
District: Chitral District
Government Type: Municipal
Corporation
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Nothing definitive is recorded about
the town’s first settlers. In the 3rd
century AD, Kanishka, the Buddhist
ruler of the Kushan Empire, occupied
Chitral. In the 4th century AD, the
Chinese overran the valley. Raees
rule over Chitral began in 1320 and
came to an end in the 15th century.
From 1571 onwards Chitral was the
capital of the princely state of Chitral.
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97% of the population are
followers of Islam, with majority
being suni And about fourty
percent Shia and Ismaili.
Although the kalash tribes are said
to be Atheists.
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Tirich Mir:
This lofty mountain peak is the highest of Hindukush range. Tirich Mir can be viewed
from a higher place of Chitral Town (Like roof top of the hotel where you stay) in a clear
weather. It can also be viewed from the palace of Chitral’s King. This mountain is also
highest in the world apart from Himalaya and Karakoram ranges.
Shahi Masjid (Shahi Mosque):
Shahi Masjid of Chitral was built in 1924 A.D. It was built by Shujaul Mulk, the Mehtar
of Chitral (1895 – 1936). The mosque is famous for its strong and cultural architectural
style.
Barmoghlasht:
Barmoghlasht is a beautiful and charming resort. It is situated 14.5 kilometers (9 miles)
from Chitral. It is definitely a place worth visiting.
Ayun Valley:
The lush green marvelously beautiful and the most favorite among tourists for its natural
beauty; the Ayun Valley is situated between Chitral Town and Kalash. It is sited at the
bank of River Chitral. People of Ayun Valley are welcoming and cooperating like the
people in rest of Chitral.
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Chitral is situated in the rain
shadow of high mountains. It
therefore does not receive the
monsoons. The mean rainfall of
Drosh and Chitral Towns (lower
Chitral) is about 650 and 500 mm,
respectively, received mainly in
spring and winter. Summer and
autumn are dry, barely receiving
10-25 mm of rainfall per month. In
Upper Chitral, the annual
precipitation perhaps peters down
to about 200 mm, received mostly
as snow at higher elevations.
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Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of
people, defined by everything from language, religion,
cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
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Marriage
Marriage is an important event which is
celebrated with great joy. The Chitrali marriage
involve different sub-event and ceremonies as
below:
 Wachik (Taking Proposal)
 Gali Botaik (Engagement)
 Pahatak or Ishperi ( Giving meal to villager)
 Nikah & Maher
 Ruzayo Angeik (Marriage)
 Xheri (Celebration)
 Ishtok (Musical Programming)
 Koli Bar (Stuff brought from bride’s house)
 Ghechi Naik (Taking Back to her parental place)
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Music
Music is very important part of local society.
Music is played during different celebration and
events.
Some of the musical instruments includes
 Sitar
 Dol (Drum)
 Sunai (Local Trumpet)
 Damama (Chitrali Tabla)
 Beru (Flute)
 Gharba (Rubab)
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Dress
The people of Chitral wear simple dress
consisting of Shirt, trousers and home spun
cap during summer season.
Shalwar Kamez
Kapur (Chitrali Cap)
Shoqa (Long woolen coat)
Girwan Bazuri (Traditional women dress)
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Pandir (Cheese)
Pandir Muzhi : Cheese and crushed walnuts kernel
sandwiched between the layers of wheat dough and cooked
in a mini size steel oven in low heat.
Zholai: Same as Pandir Muzhi but only crushed walnuts are
used.
Pushur Tiki: Pieces of fatrich mutton sandwiched between
the layer of wheat dough and cooked in ashes after cover it
with frying pan.
Kali: A variety of cour prepared from minced meat, wheat
flour and number of delectable local spices.
Kawirogh: Flowers of local wild plant are collected and
processed in the heat of sun dried which is then cooked with
meat without any other seasoning but salt. It is said to
remedy for many diseases.
Lazhek: Fat rich mutton is cooked formely in large clay pots
with crushed wheat grain, Nutrious, delicious and
Wholesome (Favourable to health)
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Chitralis Speak Khowar Languages (Chitrali).
Other languages are mentioned below:
 Persian
Wekhik War
 Pashto
 Kalash War
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The Kalasha or Kalash, are a Dardic indigenous
people residing in the Chitral District of Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. They speak the
Kalasha language, from the Dardic family of the
Indo-Iranian branch, and are considered a unique
tribe among the Indo-Iranian peoples of Pakistan.
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The Kalash of Chitral maintained their own separate cultural traditions.
The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs completely from the various
ethnic groups surrounding them. They are polytheists and nature plays a highly
significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition,
sacrifices are offered and festivals held to give thanks for the abundant resources of
their three valleys. Kalasha Desh (the three Kalash valleys) is made up of two
distinct cultural areas, the valleys of Rumbur and Brumbret forming one and Birir
valley the other, Birir valley being the most traditional of the two
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Lowari Pass
(10,230 ft.) is a high mountain pass that connects Chitral with Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan. Lowari Top is a relatively low pass, by far the lowest pass to enter Chitral, the rest
all being 12,000 to 15,000 feet.
Lowari Top is closed by snow from late November to late May every year. During this time,
jeeps cannot cross so men must travel by foot. This is dangerous, as there are high mountains
on each side of Lowari Top, and a deadly avalanche can come at any moment without
warning.
Every winter a few persons are killed by avalanches while crossing Lowari Top. Their bodies
are buried under the snow and it is only when the summer comes and the snow melts that
their bodies are found and their fate learned.
Boroghil Pass
In its extreme eastern section, between the passes of Karambar and Baroghil (Barowghīl;
12,480 feet [3,804 metres]), the eastern Hindu Kush is not very high and has mountains that
often take the form of rounded domes. Farther to the west the main ridge rises rapidly to Baba
Tangi (21,368 feet [6,513 metres]) and becomes rugged, after which, within the space of
about 100 miles (160 km)
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Shandur Pass
The height of this pass is 3738 m above sea level, it connects
Gupis, Gilgit with Chitral. The top is flat, a plateau and can
be crossed between late April and early November. The grade
is very gradual, and the area is crossed by small streams of
trout. Grazing in summer is plentiful.
Every year there is a Polo match played on Shandur Top
between a team from Chitral and a team from Gilgit.
Shandur Top is one of the four major mountain passes to enter
Chitral. The others are Dorah Pass from Badakshan in
Afghanistan, Lowari Pass from Dir, and Boroghil Pass from
the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan.
The people who live on both sides of Shandur Top speak the
Khowar language
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Through Afghanistan
Through Gilgit
Through Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
By air via Islamabad & Peshawar
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Contact Information
Email: iltaaf_rehman@hotmail.com
Ph#03005955746,03339341103
Websites: www.chitral.org.pk
www.chitraltimes.com
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