Wazwan

Wazwan is a traditional Kashmiri multi-course ceremonial meal associated with Kashmiri Muslim weddings and other festive occasions. The feast is prepared by a team of cooks known as wazas, led by a senior master chef, and it is a defining symbol of hospitality in the region.

Central to wazwan are meat dishes, particularly lamb or mutton, prepared in rich gravies and spiced sauces. Common components include rogan josh, gushtaba (minced mutton balls in yogurt-based sauce), yakhni (lamb in yogurt gravy), tabakh maaz (roasted lamb ribs), and kebabs such as rista and seekh. The courses are served in a set sequence and shared communally, often with breads such as sheermal and salted tea (noon chai).

The term Wazwan is tied to the role of the waza and to the ceremonial nature of the feast; preparation is traditionally learned within families and culinary lineages, sometimes passing from generation to generation.

As a cultural practice, wazwan embodies hospitality and social cohesion in Kashmiri communities. In contemporary settings it continues to be used in weddings and large celebrations, with regional variations reflecting evolving tastes while preserving core dishes and rituals.