The Kalash and the Macedonians This text intends to point at the similarities between the contemporary Macedonians and the Kalash people, who claim to be descendants of Alexander the Great’s Macedonians. Among the region known as Kafiristan lies the town of Brir, considered one of the last remaining settlements of the Kalash — or “wearers of black." Its inhabitants consider themselves the direct descendants of Alexander the Great. The 3,500 souls are the last enclave of pagan tribes people. Interestingly, the word Kalesh exists in modern Macedonian, meaning Black (Kalesh Angja – Black Angja popular Macedonian song). The Kalash have distinct traditions, customs and mores that associate them to the traditions of the contemporary Macedonians. The costumes of women are the first obvious similarity:
Left: Kalash traditional costumes (black robes with colorful designs, and headdresses); Right: traditional Macedonian costumes from Solun - Thessaloniki, (black robes with colorful designs and headdresses). Incredibly, the Kalash have not changed much over the centuries. They make their own wine, elevate animals to religious status and believe in mountaintop fairies. Similarly, the Macedonians make their own wine, they believe in mountain fairies too, and have the same customs, as it seems, to the Kalash people, which provides enough contextual evidence to claim that the genuine tradition has been