Culture & Heritage

Social  Events &Festivals

FUNERAL RITES

Death (Merg) is considered as part of the natural process and different ceremonies are performed for the soul of the deceased. After the death first of all the khalifa and the close relatives are informed. If the death is occurred away from home then the elders gather at the house before the arrival of the dead body to formally inform the family members. 

The corpse is washed by their close relatives. Khalipha recites verses from Holy Quran and prepares Kafan (burial shroud) from white cloth. The body is wrapped in Kafan and the close relatives are allowed to see the face of the dead body. The tribe people dig grave. When the close relatives and the villager gather at the house and digging of grave is completed the body is taken out to the graveyard in procession. The people continuously recite Holy Salwath and the people giving shoulders to the stretcher changes contineously.  At the graveyard the Nimaz-i-Janaza (burial prayer) is offered towards the Qibla (Holy Kabah). After that some elders help khalifa to lay down the dead body into the grave. The direction of the head of the dead body is laid towards Qibla (Holy Kabah). The opening of the grave is sealed with Soth (large flat stones) and mud soil. The khalipha recite verses from Holy Quran and then Dua (pray for the deceased soul) is offered. One of the close relative or family elders thanks the community for participating in the funeral ceremony.

The villagers from here back to their home however the relatives and tribes of the deceased family back to the deceased family house. On evening of the first two days delil  is performed in which small wicks are twisted and prayers said. The relatives, neighbors sit with the deceased family from morning to late night. The khalipha recites holy verses and dua when people visit the family for condolence. Food is not cooked at the deceased home for three (3) days and is brought from the relatives, neighbors and villagers home.  The local food molida is specially prepared during this occasions. On the 3rd day all the relatives and villagers gather for Fathia (special prayer according to central Asian Ismaili tradition). After the fothia a sheep/goat is slaughter. The meat is boiled in plain water. When the meat prepares a traditional food harisa  is cooked on the meat broth. On the same day the grave is also formally given a shape. On the evening of the third day is a tradition ceremony called  "Chiragh Roshan" is performed in which an oil lamp is prepared from cotton and lightened with apricot kernal oil which is placed in a Chiroughdon. The khalifa recites some verses of Quran and Chiroughnoma of Pir Nasir Khusrow: the Ismaili saint of 10th century. On the seventh day food (Molida) is cooked by the bereaved family in large quantity to be served to the villagers. This ceremony is not performed for children below six months age. After the ceremony the traditional food of harisa and ghooshth (boiled meat pieces) is offered to the people gathered in the house.  If the deceased was young then their close relatives avoid eating from this meal. To value and respect the Chiragh-i-Roshan the relatives give money according to their will which is later given to Khalipha. Along with this money the khalipha is also offered the skin, head, legs and some other meat from the slaughter animal. Early morning of the 4th day the close relatives are taken to their houses by family members and relatives.

The relatives sit at the deceased family house up to seventh day and people from all around visit them for condolence (Khothirigh). On seventh day (hub ror) special foods are prepared called Hub ror-e shapik and served to  relatives and nowadays send to the Jamat Khana (Ismaili praying hall). In olden times mostly molida was prepared but now rice and meat is mostly cooked on this occasion.

On 40th day (Bu wisth ror) meals are prepared and offered to relatives and neighbors or are taken to Jamat Khana. Later on during Eid- Azha the close relatives put Supudar (a wild medicinal herb having great religious significance) in fire to officially end the ceremonies associated with the deceased. The realtives also bring flour, kernal oil and other things to the house of the deceased. Special breads Shirik are cooked in apricot kernal oil by preparing dough from wheat flour by mixing apricot juice, haldi and eggs etc. This bread is taken to the place where Eid prayer id offered. After eid prayer people eat this bread and other meals brought from houses.

Below pictures were taken during vool kitak and other related events.
The bruised wheat & salt to prepare Harisa	Cooking Harisa
Sipundar (medicinal Plant) used for Vool Kitak	Sipundar Put in fire
Preparing Shireek for Vool	Decorating the shireek bread
Decorating the shireek bread	Shireek: a local bread for Vool Kitak
Shireek	Cooking the bread in Kernal oil
The Shireek bread	Serving Shireek to People after Eid Prayer

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