KALASH OPEN COFFIN GRAVEYARD - MYSTERIOUS FUNERAL RITUALS -

The Kalash people, also known as the Kalasha, are an indigenous group residing in the remote valleys of Chitral, Pakistan. Kalash said to have the most beautiful girls in the region. They follow their own unique religious and cultural practices that differ significantly from the majority of the Muslim population around them. The funeral rituals of the Kalash people reflect their distinct beliefs and customs
When someone from the Kalash community passes away, their body is washed, dressed in traditional clothing, and adorned with jewelry. The body will be placed inside the temple near the grave yard for two to three days. One of the prominent member will describe the good deeds of the diseased. Women, in particular, engage in loud wailing and expressions of grief accompanied by traditional drum beats.
It was alleged that the Kalash people leave the dead bodies in the graveyard without closing the top. One can see such open wooden coffins in the Kalash graveyard, with remains of bones and skulls. As per the local people, the graveyard is more than 2000 years old and the coffins are remnants of the fights between different clans. When the people of Kalash died in the wars, they brought the dead bodies in open coffins and leave them there without burying, as they did not have time for that, due to the threat by the soldiers of the enemy groups. However, the custom of leaving the bodies in open coffins has said to be continued. Now this practice has been stopped by the authorities and they have started to bury dead bodies in the designated areas.
There will be music and dance even after the funeral. Gun fire also be there in some cases. A big feast will be arranged for the people who gather for the funeral ceremonies. Funeral ceremony is an expensive affair for Kalash. It is said that 30-40 sheep will be slaughtered to prepare the feast. However, it is told that the participants share the costs along with the family members.
The number of Kalash community has been reducing in recent years due to conversion to Islam and by migration to other regions. Still the residents of Kalash preserve their cultural values and their unique identity.