Kalash leader accuses own community member of undermining traditions

CHITRAL: A senior Kalash leader Bahram Shah, who has twice been elected as a member of the district council representing the Kalash minority, has accused Mangil Khan of conspiring against their customs, traditions, and culture.

Addressing a press conference at the Chitral Press Club on Monday, Bahram Shah alleged that Mangil Khan was attempting to erase the centuries-old traditions of the Kalash people, causing distress among the community.

Bahram Shah claimed that Mangil Khan was deliberately working to undermine the cultural heritage of the Kalash people by launching efforts to abolish traditional funeral rites. According to Kalash customs, when a person dies, the community gathers for three days of singing and dancing before placing the deceased’s personal belongings in a wooden coffin, which is then either left in an open field or buried as per their practice. However, Bahram Shah asserted that Mangil Khan was actively working to put an end to this deeply rooted tradition.

The senior Kalash leader warned the Kalash community members to sever all ties with Mangil Khan, whom he described as a hidden enemy of their people. As a Kalash Qazi, a traditional leader, he urged the community to protect their cultural heritage and remain united against any attempts to alter their way of life.