Kalasha Peoples Call for Cultural Survival

Gona Chawmos -Kalasha Winter Solstice Begins

Gona Chawmos Yat Shuruk hawaw. Saw Mocbhian Kay Kalashon Ghenaw Tazaghi Aman zhe Afiat…
Kalasha Winter solstice begins from 8th with Zarazari (bon fire) till 21st Dec.
To  Kalasha chawmos is regarded as big historical memory of them as People and Society.

Chawmos is coming together and celebration of all the elements of Nature, Community, Mountain Spirits, Deities, Ancestors, Thanksgiving, Initiation rites, Chanting ancient myths, and end with carnival for the start of New Year.
Kalasha gather at mountain altars, Clan temples to give offerings and share feasts, to pray, meditate and for Peace, Health and Social Well being.

“We the Kalasha Indigenous People of Kalasha Valleys HinduKush,Chitral Pakistan are Shocked, Threatened and Deeply grieved by sudden armed attack in our valley Mumuret and KIDNAP of our Greek Brother Athanasious Lerounis. We strongly Condemn & Protest indiscriminate Killing of Chitrari Brother, Abduction of Mr.Lerounis and Torture of Kalashaman. We demand Government of Pakistan to all take measures and means necessary for his immediate RELEASE and PROTECTION of Kalasha People”

Εμείς οι Καλάσσα,  ιθαγενής του  βορειοδυτικού Πακιστάν, της  περιφέρειαςChitral, έχουμε  συγκλονιστεί και είμαστε βαθιά    θλιμμένοι απ’ τη ξαφνική ένοπλοι  επίθεση και την απαγωγή του Έλληνα   αδελφού μας Αθανάση Λερούνη.

Επίσης, έντονα καταδικάζουμε, χωρίς διάκριση,το θάνατο του Chitrali αδελφού μας και τον βασανισμό ενός Καλάσσα κατά τη διάρκεια της απάνθρωπης επίθεσης .

Απαιτούμε απ’ τη κυβέρνηση του Πακιστάν αλλά και απ’ τα Ενωμένα Έθνη να λάβουν τα απαραίτητα δραστικά μέτρα για την άμεση ελευθέρωση του Αθανάση Λερούνη και την προστασία της φυλής μας που τίθεται υπό απειλή.

Athanasios Lerounis came to visit Pakistan in early 90’s as traveler, when he heard about”Kalasha” people in Northern Pakistan sharing common  historical & cultural ties with ancient Greeks .

He visited the Kalasha Valleys and fell in love with Kalasha people and their ancient culture. His mentorship contribution

In preserving Kalasha Culture & Heritage speaks for itself by the amount of work he did in Kalash Valleys.

Mr. Lerounis built the first Kalasha schools for th children in the three Kalasha valleys. Kalasha people call him BAYA & regard him one of their own.

The Govt. of Pakistan has honored him with various awards specially National Award recognizing his work in fields of Education, Health &Cultural-Preservation.
He made the first Indigenous Museum and Culture Center of Kalasha People known as ‘Kalasha Dur” with support of Hellenic Aid foreign Affairs Greece.

BO KIRIK DYITA KALASHASUM- HEAVY SNOW

Homa tal’ay bo kirik dyai shiaw hul’a.Phondr asta kharp thi shian hul’a.Chetraway ay thi onja telephun una asa mondr may hatya mahalum hawaw.
It has been reported there has been Heavy snow fall in the Kalasha Valleys. Road to valleys are damaged with the land-slides and Kalasha are braving one the worst winters in isolation.