User:Hamza F. G. Harki/sandbox

The Religion of pre-Islamic Nuristan refers to the animistic-polytheistic beliefs of the Nuristani people, formerly known as Kafirs, before their conversion to Islam. It was practiced until the late 19th century, when they were converted to Islam by the emir of Afghanistan, Abdur Rahman Khan. The Kafirs believed in a multitude of deities whose names often recall those known from old Iranian, Vedic, and Hindu sources. As such, their faith had links to the faiths of their other Indo-Iranian relatives.

Deities
There was a supreme deity named Mara or Imra, plus a multitude of lesser gods and goddesses known locally as Mandi (or Moni), Wushum or (Shomde), Gish (or Giwish), Bagisht, Indr, Züzum, Disani, Kshumai (or Kime), etc. Each village and each clan had its tutelary deity, with shamans advising the help-seekers and priests presiding at religious services. Nuristani deities were praised in songs called bem. Imra was believed to be the supreme creator. With his breath, it was believed, he created the three other main deities of the pantheon. Moni was believed to be a divine prophet, whom Imra selected to fulfill his behests. Nearly every Kafir village had a temple devoted to Moni.