‘Gandau’ installation on the graves of the prominent figures by the living generation has been the hallmark of the Kalash culture. Ganadu—the wooden image aimed at immortalizing the departed sould of the family member—is also the name of the 3 days celebration designed to installing the wooden image. Nevertheless, this invaluable cultural heritage of the Kalash community has almost had disappeared only to be resurrected by Mr Faiz, 54, from village Bron, Bumborate valley, in early December 2008.
Through the ‘Gandau’ celebration, Mr Faizi not only immortalized the memory of his father Mr Gush and grandfather Mr Mirza Shah nicknamed Comel but also revived one of the forgotten Kalash cultural heritage in recent history. “The ‘Gandau’ celebration cost me Rs 1100000/”, maintained Mr Faizi. “I slaughtered 50 goats and made new dresses for all the nephews, nieces and other blood relations”, he added. Kalash community from the three valleys—Birir, Bumborate and Rumbor—were invited and a big feast was arranged.
“The purpose of the celebration”, maintained Mr Faizi, “is to immortalize the memory of my father, who used to be the leader of the Kalash community. Besides as a blessed and obedient son, it gives me a sense of accomplishment towards the duties of my father”. The ‘Gandau’ celebration is believed to have increased the social standing of the family and the profile of the departed soul in the eyes of those who live. It is strictly a matter of honor amongst the primitive Kalash community in the
3 days earlier the kiths and kin were invited to participate, perhaps to enlist their moral support and physical help and share with them the pride of the family. Afterward the family members proceeded to the forest to select the best possible tree for carpentering into ‘Gandau’. The name of Mr ‘Gush’ and Mr ‘Mirza Shah’ was repeatedly called whilst chopping down the tree. “The best carpenters of the locality took pride in volunteering to structure my father’s wooden image", says Mr Faizi with an aura of pride. They are not paid with money for the labor-intensive task they undertake. Nor did they expect it as tradition goes here. Nevertheless the neighbors and blood relations served food and nephew and nieces presented dresses to the carpenters, all is voluntary.
The procession carried the ‘Gaundau’ at first hand to the Jastakhan, where it was made dance for 24 hours before being removed to the ancestral cemetery. The movement is remarkable when ‘ishperi’ is served and the wooden image is carried on shoulders with crackle of gunfire so characteristic of the celebration. Close blood relations garland the ‘Gandau’ with chihari [the embroidered handmade strip], ‘shiman’, ‘khomoon’ [dry fruits] and flowers.
‘Gandau’ celebration is aimed at immortalizing the departed soul of the family members in the Kalash community. However, it is disheartening that that this valuable cultural tradition has declined so precipitously and is almost on the verge of disappearance. Two reasons are believed to be responsible for this—that the event is very expensive and is unaffordable for normal people in the valley, second, and most important, the many ‘Gandaus’ have been stolen from the graveyards in the past in view of the high market value of the commodity–Rs 300000/-. This is going to discourage other people to organize the ‘Gandau’ celebration. “I have taken effective measures to protect the newly installed ‘Gandau’ of my father and grandfather” says Mr Faizi.
Undoubtedly Mr Faizi has generously contributed to the revival the most important forgotten Kalash tradition. In the meantime he immortalized the departed soul of his father/ grandfather and proved himself as a worthy son.
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