Aryan non-Muslims of Pakistan: Kalash

The last pagans (non-Muslims) of Pakistan 🇵🇰

Matt Shoe visits Indo-Aryan Afghanistan

(Matt Shoe) In this video, I set out on a ride from Islamabad to the Kalash Valley to find the last remaining (Indo-Aryan) Kalash people — one of the most original and ancient cultures in the region.

• Hunza Valley for longevity (criticalhealthnews.com)
• [The blue-eyed historical Buddha was from Central Asia, Afghanistan (likely in the three seasonal capitals of Bamiyan, Kabul or Kapilavastu, and Mes Aynak in ancient Gandhara), from the foothills of the Hindu Kush, part of the Himalayan Range.]
• Shout out to pakistanbikers.com who set me up with the motorcycle for this adventure! 💪

Indo-Aryan peoples in Pakistan? (wiki)

I rented a motorcycle from PakistanBikers and started the long ride through rainstorms, mountain roads, and small villages. Along the way, I met friendly locals, saw incredible landscapes, and got a real taste of life in northern Pakistan.

After hours of riding, I finally reached the Kalash Valleys — Birir, Rumbur, and Bumburet. I spent the night in Birir, learning about their history, traditions, and the stories passed down for generations.

The next day, I visited Rumbur, where I witnessed something truly rare — an ancient funeral ceremony that few outsiders ever get to see. This was one of the most meaningful trips I’ve ever done — a glimpse into a culture fighting to keep its identity alive in the modern world.

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•  Matt Shoe, Oct. 11, 2025; Amber Larson, Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly