Kalash DNA sample 23andme format: High_coverage_sequencing_of_a_Kalash_individual

The Kalash people, a small indigenous community residing in the remote valleys of Chitral in northern Pakistan, have a fascinating history and distinct cultural identity. The Kalash, despite living in Pakistan, are not Muslim, but rather are polytheistic pagans.

In fact, among South Asian populations, the Kalash exhibit the highest levels of Sintashta-related ancestry, linking them to the ancient Indo-Aryan migration.

the Kalash speak Kalasha, a language belonging to the Dardic branch of the Indo-Aryan family. Dardic languages are predominantly spoken in the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan, eastern Afghanistan, and northern India. Kalasha is closely related to other Dardic languages such as Khowar and Shina. Despite their linguistic isolation, the Kalash maintain vibrant storytelling and folklore traditions that preserve their history and mythology.

Throughout history, the Kalash valleys have been influenced by a succession of empires and cultures. They were part of the Achaemenid Empire under Darius I, whose inscriptions reference the lands of Gandhara and surrounding areas. Later, the Kalash valleys were swept into the campaigns of Alexander the Great. The Kushan Empire and later the Mughals also extended their influence over the Kalash territories, shaping the region’s trade, culture, and religious landscape.

The Kalash are noted for their distinctive physical characteristics, which often include lighter skin tones, high cheekbones, and, in some individuals, light-colored eyes and hair. These features, uncommon in most South Asian populations, are believed to reflect their ancient Sintashta ancestry.

For this video, I gathered the DNA of a person from a 2014 study called “High coverage sequencing of a Kalash individual”.

According to Q.P.Admixture analysis he mostly descends from the BMAC culture, with significant admixture from Sintashta and Ancient Ancestral South Indians.

According to Q.P.Admixture, he is almost entirely of Kalash descent with minor Indian, Iranian, and European admixture.

I ran him through my trait predictor tool for DNA analysis. You can purchase it, as well as the genome, from link which is in description of the video.