Koshur Wanwun

Wuer Zalnas

Lighting of fire for cooking (Wedding & other occasions)

Kashmiris are known for their Wazwaan, which is a multi-course meal of anywhere between 15-36 dishes. The wealth and the event type determines how many courses will be served. Kashmiris are mostly lamb or beef eaters and wazwaan uses every part of the lamb for a unique dish with distinct flavor. The chefs making wazwaan are called Wazaas. They are usually led by a master chef (Woste wazaa) and his team and some apprentices. The arrival of waza symbolizes the beginning of the wedding or a festive occasion. The waza is usually assigned a separate area in the backyard and they enter with much pomp and show carrying dozens of pots and pans and their special meat pounding stones. Everything is cooked fresh on fire. The huge cooking area is called Wuer. The ladies sing Wanwun to mark this important ritual symbolizing the start of the wedding or any other event happening at the house.