Transition : High priest of Kalash dies in Rambur

CHITRAL: The high priest of Kalash, Khush Awaz, died on Monday. The minority Kalash tribe has announced a week-long mourning for their master-of-ceremonies who breathed his last at his ancestral village of Rambur at a ripe age of 87. The death is likely to put dampers on the upcoming Kalash spring festival of Joshi or Chilum Josh, as he used to play a pivotal role in the rituals. Wazir Zada, a Kalash youth, told The Express Tribune that Awaz was well versed in history, culture and religion of the ancient tribe. He said that Awaz had deep knowledge of Kalash rites and he was invited in all the three Kalash valleys on mourning ceremonies to narrate the family histories of the deceased.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2015.