Hamid ur Rehman SUROOR

hrsuroor@yahoo.com

Kalash People; Believes and Practices

High in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Pakistan's khyber pakhtunkhwa Province(Formerly Northwest Frontier Province), about 25 miles on harrowing dirt roads from the nearest city, Chitral, live the Kalash people. The Kalash culture is believed to be the most ancient culture in its primitive form on the earth today. The Kalash culture is some 3500 year old culture in Chitral

Kalash culture and beliefs system differs from the various ethnic groups surrounding them but is similar to that of the neighboring Nuristanis in northeast Afghanistan. The Kalash people are unique in their customs and religion. In every religion people have their own believes and practices; Kalash People also have very unique and old religion. Like all other religion of the world; in Kalash religion there is also core concept of Social justice, Social Equality, Human rights etc. Noble deeds are highly appreciated and for crimes and bad deeds laws and punishment are there. In Kalash religion there are just Religious Celebrations and Rules and regulations which one must follow on different situation in his / her social life. Music dance and wine drinking is part of almost all religious celebrations and practices. Flout, Shehnayi (aerophonic (wind) instrument), and Drum are the commonly used musical instrument. The rules and regulation or the traditions are not written one; but The Kalash people are just following the social rules and regulations practiced by their ancestors for many dacades. Kalash people do believe on many gods and goddesses. They do believe that specific gods and goddesses have specific legitimate power and they can benefit or harm human beings by that power;

So they try to keep all of them happy to remain blessed by them. For the purpose they sacrifice animals and foods on the name of all these gods and goddesses on different religious occasions. To Slaughter an Animal in the name of their gods and goddesses is very much common and usually the person who sacrifice animal have to rub the blood on his face/ hands/ head etc.; after the slaughter of the animal. In many occasions the use of the meat of that animal is lawful and in some specific occasions it is prohibited and the meat of that animal should be burned or thrown away or in some situation the only person who slaughter the animal can eat the meat. In Kalash Religion some gods and goddesses name and duties are as below;

WARN:))

This god is one of the powerful gods in Kalash religion; the wooden statue which represents the warn god; and it is just like the horse neck. Warn God is considered to be responsible for good health and illnesses; for good health the happiness of this god is considered very important; so the Kalash people sacrifices animal (usually got) by the name of this god. For acceptance of theft; Kalash people call the suspected person in front of Warn god and insist him/ her to accept the responsibility of that theft if he/she has committed the crime otherwise they will pray to warn god to harm him /her.

Mahandev ))
Mahandev is the most Powerful and loved one god in Kalash tribe. According to Kalashs; Mahandev can change the destiny of a person. The god Mahandev is responsible for most things of a persons life. Kalash people do pray for their problems and sufferings like, hunger, Illnesses, success and siblings. According to them the Mahandev can solve any suffering or problem. On the beginning of every religious celebration it is strictly followed tradition to sacrifice two goats on the name of Mahandev.

Praba: :) )

As Kalash People strongly believe on invisible creatures / Jinns (

any spirit lesser than angels).They do believe that these Jinns are responsible for many accidents in human life like sufferings etc. The Praba is known as the most good looking, and intelligent. According to Kalash people Praba came from Afghanistan and settled in Kalash valley. Praba was familiar with Jinns (Angels) and was privileged to speak their language as well. In Kalash tribe; on the doubt of penetration of Jinn into someone then the Kalash people do pray and request to Praba (by sacrificing two goats) for getting salvation for affected person.

Sanctions (Strictly prohibited rules ) in Kalash Relegion:

(When a person in Kalash tribe committed the following sins, he / she is considered has gave up the Kalash religion) o When a person do not follow the Kalash rules and regulations on the occasion of any relative death ( Kalash people pack the death body in a wooden box and put it under the trees of Kalash graveyard (Maduzhal, ) When a Kalash person do Marry with a non Kalash person A women must not give up to wear the Tradional Kalash black cloths, otherwise she is could not be considered as Kalash religiously A Women must use to live in Bashaleni (A village house specially build for Kalash women to live during the days of menses) One who do not rub the after slaughter (Sacrifice ) an animal in front of any god / goddess One Who used chicken considering it lawful (Although chicken is used in kalash now a days but is prohibited as Pig in Islam)

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References;
Sir George Scott Robertson,(1896). The Kfirs of the Hindu-Kush.

Lawrence & Bullen, ltd. R. C. F. Schomberg, 1938, M. Hopkinson, limited http://www.facebook.com/groups/174053042611694/