Pakistan – Kalash of Cultures
Broadcast: 22/07/2003
Reporter: Mark Corcoran
Synopsis
Around the world the legend of the Macedonian General, Alexander the Great still resonates. And in a remote corner of northern Pakistan, lives a small community that claims to be the direct descendants of Alexander’s armies. A living link stretching back more than 2,300 years to ancient Greece.
Mark Corcoran made the treacherous two day jeep ride over the Hindu Kush mountains to meet the mysterious Kalash Kafirs. Translated literally, they are the black-dressed infidels of Pakistan – whose women still wear flowing dresses, that supposedly bear a striking resemblance to those worn by ancient Greeks.
The origins of the Kalash are still the subject of fierce academic debate, but Kalash schoolteacher Anees Umar is convinced by what he says are many parallels in dress, language and culture.
“I think these people are descendents of Alexander the Great, because I found similarities in Greece. The Ancient Greek culture was similar to the Kalash people.” he says.
The Kalash are animists – and their refusal to convert to Islam has seen them marginalised over the centuries. Now numbering fewer than 4,000, they’re facing cultural extinction, but this is a community everyone is now trying to save.
The modern Greeks have arrived. Convinced that the Kalash are their ancient Hellenic brethren, they are busy building schools and clinics adorned with “traditional Kalash” Ionic columns.
“They are building in a Greek way – but I think that’s not fair. They should build schools like Kalash way” complains one Kalash leader.
Also in the valleys, Islamic fundamentalist preachers calling on the Kalash to embrace Allah – and get a job.
Some Kalash believe foreign tourism will be their ultimate saviour. Hotels and guest houses now rise across the Kalash valleys – despite bitter opposition from the Greek aid workers.
“Tourism has destroyed my culture. Of course tourism gives us money, but little by little Greek culture is finished because of tourism. If it happens here, the Kalash tradition will also be finished” says Athanasios Lerounis of the group Greek Volunteers.
By: WACHENR0DER - 22nd July 2003 at 22:24
I don’t think the Kalash are that unique Greek-culture wise.. the Tajiks consider themselves descendants of Alexander as well as numerous other ethnicities living between India to Iran. Sanskrit it self has much in common with ancient Greek.
By: Tony - 22nd July 2003 at 21:30
Hi
I saw a documentary (BBC?) years ago about the Kalash. There were many strong indicators for their Hellenic heritage.
However, being isolated for so long in that magical valley they were bound to develop their own unique culture. It would be a shame if they were to see it consumed by tourism or pressured to conform to the mores of the rest of the Kashmir valleys in Northern Pakistan.
Best Regards
Tony
By: Arthur - 22nd July 2003 at 00:14
Interesting read – love those macrocultures.
But indeed, an over-zealous Greek interest in them for being of possible Alexandrian descent could really choke the original culture. Sending out anthropologists not to research the Kalash themselves, but to prove their Greek heritage is not the way to go – it will choke their own indigenous culture, especially if the society itself is as small as 4000.
Icarus, would you perhaps have some linguistical info on them and make me really enthusiastic?
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July 22, 2003 at 12:01 am