Kalasha grave Yard Karakal, Bumburait

Karakal Graveyard (Madawjaw)

The Karakal Graveyard, locally known as Madawjaw, is one of the most important historical burial sites of the Kalash in Bumburate Valley. It is known for its ancient funeral tradition where the deceased were placed in beautifully carved wooden coffins above the ground. Although the practice has now shifted to modern burials, Madawjaw remains a powerful cultural landmark, reflecting the Kalash worldview about life, death, and the spiritual journey of the soul.

Explanation of Madawjaw

Madawjaw is a Kalasha term referring specifically to the place of resting or the graveyard where the deceased are laid to rest. Traditionally, Madawjaw was not just a burial site—it was a sacred space symbolizing the transition of the soul.
It housed wooden coffins carved with symbols and placed openly in nature, representing purity, truth, and the natural return of the body to the earth. Today, Madawjaw remains an important cultural and spiritual site, preserving the memory of ancestors and the uniqueness of Kalash tradition.