Sheedi are descendants of African soldiers and slaves who live in Sindh. During the Arab rule in Sindh, soldiers and slaves were brought from Africa. Sheedi are said to be the descendants of people brought from Zanzibar. Karachi, Pakistan.
Sheedi are a descendants of African soldiers and slaves that live in Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. During the Arab rule in Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan soldiers and slaves were brought from Africa. Sheedi are said to be the descendants of people brought from Zanzibar and are mostly assimilated into Pakistani society. They speak the local languages, but have some differing traditions. Presently, these African-Pakistanis live in various parts of Karachi. Most are found in Lyari, but they are also found in Malir, Moaach Goth, Manghopir, and further interior at Sindh and Balochistan. Tthese people amalgamated themselves with local Balochs and also adopted various Balochi and Islamic traditions, in addition maintaining their distinct African cultural heritage. For example, some African touch festivals like Gowaati, Layvaa (dancing over the fire), dhammal, beating Congo Drums and many forms of witch craft are still practiced.
A community of Sheedi's resides on the outskirts of Karachi, in Manghopir, where there is a famous dargah of Pir Mangho. The annual Urs celebration at the dargah, known as Pir Mangho Urs, is famous for featuring traditions thought to have East African origins. The urs marks the death anniversary of Pir Mangho and is held annually. The Urs entirely separate from the more widely known Sheedi Mela that is also helt at the Manghopir Shrine.
The crocodiles are an integral part of the shrine, chronicle of the saint, and are so tightly interwoven that it is almost impossible to judge between fact & fiction. There are many traditions about myth of crocodiles, as if it is believed that Baba Farid gifted the reptiles to Manghopir. According to a third legend, the crocodiles were introduced in Manghopir by Mor Mubarak (also a saint), who brought them from a cave in Korangi, as a result, after the name of saint, the chief of crocodiles (the eldest one) came to be known as ‘Mor Sahib’.
A community of Sheedi's resides on the outskirts of Karachi, in Manghopir, where there is a famous dargah of Pir Mangho. The annual Urs celebration at the dargah, known as Pir Mangho Urs, is famous for featuring traditions thought to have East African origins. The urs marks the death anniversary of Pir Mangho and is held annually. The Urs entirely separate from the more widely known Sheedi Mela that is also helt at the Manghopir Shrine.
The crocodiles are an integral part of the shrine, chronicle of the saint, and are so tightly interwoven that it is almost impossible to judge between fact & fiction. There are many traditions about myth of crocodiles, as if it is believed that Baba Farid gifted the reptiles to Manghopir. According to a third legend, the crocodiles were introduced in Manghopir by Mor Mubarak (also a saint), who brought them from a cave in Korangi, as a result, after the name of saint, the chief of crocodiles (the eldest one) came to be known as ‘Mor Sahib’.
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