BUMBURET (known in Kalasha as Mumuret) Kalasha Valley
The inhabitants of the valley are the Kalash people
There are three main valleys. The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet (Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur is a side valley north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is a side valley of the Kunar Valley south of Bumburet
We rented a car and a driver extraordinaire to drive us on the "road" to Bumburet. There are places you won't believe a horse can walk across the gorge let alone a car
Some houses are around 400 years old, built in the traditional style using wood joinery - similar in a way to Japanese kigumi
The Kalash people are often referred to as Kalash Kafirs by the local Muslims and have been subjected to increasing incidents of killings, rape and seizure of their lands. As per the Kalash, forced conversions, robberies and attacks endanger their culture and faith. Kalasha gravestones are desecrated and the symbolic carved horses on Kalasha altars are destroyed. As of 2024, their population is estimated to be around only 3000 and declining