CHITRAL: Kalash people danced and sang during the funeral of an elder here on Monday.

The festivities continued for three days. Body of elder, Jawsha, 71, of Brun village of Bumburate valley was placed in the dancing place called Jastakhan. The people narrated the acts of courage and bravery performed by the deceased during his lifetime.

Badusha Kalash, a relative of the deceased, said that 24 goats were slaughtered to feed the people who attended the rituals. Besides 100kg cheese, 80kg ghee, 3,000kg wheat flour and 300kg rice were also used up on the occasion, he added.

He said the deceased was soft spoken and generous who welcomed guests in his home and served them with lavish foods. “Jawsha was respected equally in all the three Kalash valleys,” said Badusha Kalash.

Gunshots were also fired to pay respects to the elder.