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Who Are Pakistan's Descendants Of Alexander The Great

The people of the Kalash tribe, who live in the Chitral district of pakistan , believe they are descendants of Alexander the Great's troops who settled in the area about 23 centuries ago. Numbering only about 4,000, their unique culture is now in danger of exti..

Historical ·

The people of the Kalash tribe, who live in the Chitral district of pakistan , believe they are descendants of Alexander the Great's troops who settled in the area about 23 centuries ago. Numbering only about 4,000, their unique culture is now in danger of extinction.

The Kalash are a small ethnic and religious community with many characteristics which distinguish them from the surrounding population. Many Kalasha are fair-skinned and blue-eyed, their features contributing to the age-old legend that they are indeed descendants of Greek soldiers who fought with Alexander the Great around the year 300 B.C.

Surrounded by Muslim communities, the Kalasha have nevertheless kept their ancient customs and practices. They are polytheists who worship many gods, much like the ancient Greeks, and nature plays an important and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, animal sacrifices are offered and festivals are held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys.

Their polytheism, mythology and folklore have all been compared to that of the ancient Greeks. Yet in reality they are much closer to Indo-Iranian (pre-Zoroastrian-Vedic) traditions.

The Kalash celebrate three festivals in a year which have become a tourist attraction in the region. During the festivals, the Kalasha drink homemade wine and dance to the sound of drums — activities that are strictly forbidden to Muslims.

Also, unlike Muslim women, Kalash women are not only allowed to choose their own husbands, but they can also divorce them and are even allowed to elope.


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