Daily Times

Karachi: Sheedi Mela, the annual festival at Manghopir, has returned after a hiatus of seven years owing to the prevailing security situation in the area. But all these years have changed the place, for the worst.

The caretakers of Pir Sakhi Sultan’s crocodiles complain that the reptiles have multiplied in number, and the space and food available to them isn’t sufficient any longer.

There are around 150 crocodiles at shrine now.

“Their food (meat) is managed by devotees. A private organisation sends charity meat once a week. This isn’t mostly sufficient to feed them, and there is no arrangement from Sindh Auqaf Department that is responsible for the shrine,” says Khalifa Sajjad, the supervisor at the shrine.

Sajjad has spent the last 28 years tending to the needs of the crocodiles. He says the numbers have risen and the 1,000 square yards pond isn’t big enough for them. “There is a dire need to extend the boundary walls of the pool. The minimum requirement is around two acres,” he says, adding that congestion caused by the lack of space leaves the pond dirty most of the time.

Sajjad has written several letters to the government seeking food arrangement and more space to accommodate the crocodiles, but he hasn’t heard back so far.

“The special assistant to Sindh CM for Auqaf, Syed Ghulam Shah Jeelani, visited the area and vowed to take steps but again nothing was done,” he says.

Sheedi Mela is an important event in the cultural calendar of the Sheedi community, who trace their lineage to a tribe in North Africa.

The festival attracts a large number of people because of the crocodiles deemed sacred by the community members dispersed all over the country. The devotees bring meat, called halwa, for crocodiles which is offered first to Mor Sahab, the oldest and the largest crocodile at the pond. The community elders pour red powder on crocodile’s heads and then offer meat to them.

Sheedi Mela remained suspended for seven years until it was resumed last year. The organisers say that last year’s mela was a low key affair. However, this year’s mela on Sunday attracted a huge gathering as all four sub-tribes – Hyderabadis, Kharadaris, Laasis and Belaras – took part in it. With the mela, the sound of drums and ululation returned to the streets of Manghopir.

Though festivities returned, but the lack of facilities was conspicuous, organisers complain.

“There were no arrangements for proper lighting or security. Every now and then, VVIPs visit the place. Knowing the importance of this place for tourism, there should be proper arrangements made here,” says Sajjad.

A PPP MPA who attended the mela this year also agreed that more space was needed for crocodiles. “I would suggest to the Sindh government to make arrangements for more space to be added to the pond,” she assured.

Published in Daily Times, March 5^th 2018.