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Afro-Pakistani Sheedi community celebrates annual Manghopir festival

Afro-Pakistani Sheedi community celebrates annual Manghopir festival — A woman devotee in Sheedi Mela.

This year attendance was a higher than before.

Members of Afro-Pakistani Sheedi community beat drums at the annual festival, as the devotees perform Dhamal.

Sindor is rubbed on the forehead and back of the reportedly 127-year old Chief Crocodile at the Manghopir shrine.

Traditional drink called ‘Piala’, literally translating as ‘cup’ in local language, which is made up of almond and pistachio is ready for distribution.

Flower sellers at the shrine.

Women of Sheedi community at the festival.

Crocodiles in the pond next to the shrine.

Local Sheedi community members preparing “Khutti,” a sweet prepared from wheat, almond and pistachio to be distributed among the devotees.

Ghulam Abbasi Sheedi talking to Arab News in front of the Manghopir shrine.

The caretaker preparing the chief crocodile for the garland ceremony.

The community elder puts a garland around Mor Swab, the Chief Crocodile, after Sindor (orange color) is rubbed on its forehead and back.

After the garland ceremony, Mor Swab is pushed back to the crocodile pond.

Updated 4 March 2018 22:19

March 4, 2018 22:00

Pakistan’s Sheedi community is known for peculiar beliefs, but it stands out for its unique annual affair – the Sheedi Mela – a centuries-old festival with several strange events.

(AN photos)