Title: Indigenous entrepreneurship among the Kalash

Authors: Iqbal M. Khan

Addresses: Lahore School of Economics, 63-J, DHA Phase-I, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract: This paper examines the cultural determinants of indigenous entrepreneurship among the Kalash community. This is one of the most colourful indigenous communities of Pakistan and perhaps one of the most beautiful indigenous communities in the world. The purpose of studying entrepreneurship in indigenous peoples is to discover how to help them overcome their isolation and vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Therefore, a 'second wave' of development needs to be launched and make these communities self-sustaining, and empower them to become entrepreneur which is the path to self-sustainability. It was centuries of mistrust and denial of rights that they confined themselves to a closed communal living, in their remote mountains. They are jealously possessive of their environment and heritage. They lack the courage to open up to the mainstream population and are an un-ambitious society. The paper concludes with new a concept of developing a practical economy for a sustainable economic development through education and vocational training. This will serve as a first step towards indigenous entrepreneurship of the Kalash community.

Keywords: indigenous entrepreneurship; Kalash; practical economy; heritage; innovation; sustainable economic development; sustainability; second wave of development; education; vocational training; cultural determinants; culture; indigenous communities; Pakistan; remote areas.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2014.062134

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2014 Vol.22 No.1, pp.115 - 134

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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