Connecting Rock Art and Mythology: A Case Study of Kalasha Valleys

Abstract

This research, for the very first time, studies the Kalasha people of Pakistan with the help of the Šára-biráyak and petroglyphs which are, undoubtedly, centuries old in all three Kalasha valleys. Rather than the Šára-biráyak (dough animal figurine) or art assemblage ritual is related to the rock carving or petroglyphs. Kalash people traditionally believe that the famous petroglyphs of the region are carved by fairies. The drawings represent mostly animal figures, the area where such petroglyphs concentrate is used to perform rituals. The resend work on the title aims to connect the story of rock carvings to the ritual history of the Kalash people. The petroglyphs and wall paintings are made with sooth (drawings made by wool and bamboo stick) located inside a temple, both productions are related and respond to the same cultural background, Dezelawatt, Pindawatt, or Sochi Chot petroglyphs depict the same themes and animals still drawing on temple’s walls with sooth. The Kalasha people believe that the shadows of such drawings and dough figurines depicted Dezelawatt. Key words: Kalash, Ritual, âiUD-biráyak, rock art Assemblage, interpretations, Shamanism, Temple, Surijagek