The death celebration of the cannibal king, Shari Badat, generally known as Noce/Nasalo by Shina speakers of Gilgit and Lower Hunza, and as Tamashaling/Thumasaling by the Burusho of Hunza, Ghizer and Nagar valley is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The celebration begins early in the morning on December 21st when every household heads to a designated spot, usually a barren field, carrying flambeaus made of alpine firewood. Each household contributes their burning sticks, which are then combined to form a large bonfire, symbolizing the day when Shari Badat was burned by the brave villagers. As more villagers arrive, local musicians begin playing melodious and unique tunes, and joyful dancing starts around the fire, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. The warmth of the flames, coupled with the lively music and dancing, makes the villagers forget the chilly and freezing winter night, allowing them to immerse themselves in the celebration without dwelling on worldly hardships.
Elders participate in role-play performances, wearing special kinds of clothes to transform their identities into characters known as "Jateer" by Shina speakers. These covered faces resemble an Eastern-style Halloween celebration and create a playful hide-and-seek experience, as the audience attempts to identify the hidden individuals behind the outfits. The music, dance, and festivities continue until dawn, after which the villagers return home to prepare for another important ritual.
Following the early morning gathering, the next tradition is the sacrifice of an animal in memory of the cruel king's death. According to local belief, if the people stop this sacrifice, Shari Badat will return one day with his wicked intentions of feeding on infants. Each family sacrifices a halal animal as part of this ritual.
You might be wondering — what happens next? Does the celebration end here?
Well... no, it doesn’t. The next part of the celebration is the consumption of the sacrificed animal, which is both unique and exciting. First, they cook the liver, which is fried and served to the family. For lunch, they prepare a curry using some of the intestines, rumen, heart, and kidneys, served with homemade bread made from wheat flour. In the evening, they prepare dishes like "Gittey" (a sausage-like dish), "Shopan," and "Joqeṣ̌" (similar to Scottish haggis) using the remaining intestines, stomach, and caecum. These dishes are preserved for consumption during another festival that takes place 11 days after Noce. The remaining meat is also preserved for upcoming festivals such as Baw-no, Be-phaw, Maroch-tic, and Ganoni.
Sadly, with the passage of time, many of these rituals are fading away. While people still practice the sacrifice, the communal gatherings and traditional celebrations are disappearing, with only a few families continuing to celebrate the festival in its original form.
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