Echoes of Loss: Rituals of Remembrance and Grief in the Pashtun Diaspora of Kashmir.

Abstract

This research paper examines the death and mourning rituals among Pashtun diaspora communities through an ethnographic lens. Drawing upon over 35 in-depth interviews with family members and community leaders, as well as extensive field observations of Pashtun families, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of traditional practices, cultural beliefs, and evolving social dynamics related to death and mourning. The findings suggest that Pashtun mourning rituals are deeply rooted in a complex interplay of religious prescriptions and local customs, and while traditional rituals continue to influence communal responses to death, modernization and socio-political changes have fostered adaptations and innovations in mourning practices. The paper discusses these findings within broader anthropological and sociological frameworks to offer a comprehensive view of how mourning practices in the Pashtun community in Kashmir are constructed, experienced, and transformed. The integration of traditional rituals with emerging practices reflects a dynamic interplay between culture, tradition and modernity.