English

Alternative forms

• Zoshi
• Zhoshi
• Zosi

Proper noun

Joshi ‎(uncountable)

1. A Kalash festival, Joshi is celebrated at the end of May each year, the exact date is determined by the position of the sun. The first day of Joshi is the "Milk Day", on which the Kalash offer libations of milk that have been saved for ten days prior to the festival. The Kalash then sing to their goats to eat up the grass and produce plentiful milk so they can drink it and be strong, and children enjoy milk and treats of special breads. Kalash women wear new clothes for the festival, embroidered with traditional bright yarns and often a larger headdress, decorated ornately, which is worn on festival days. Festival drummers compete to make faster and more complicated rhythms, giving the dancing a lively edge. As hours of dancing reach a climax on the final day, men and women separate in dancing areas and each take branches of walnut to wave as they dance. At the shout of a Shaman, they throw their branches in the air.

Japanese

Romanization

joshi

1. rōmaji reading of じょし