Socio-economic Activity: Gujar Khan’s Rich Cultural Heritage on Display in Jand Melo

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Today is the second day of this annual cultural attraction, not only for the locals but also for people far afield, as far as Faislabad, Multan, Bhawalpur, areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Attock etc
The cultural activities include sporting events such oxen races, horse raising and Kabadi and traditional Qawali at every night of the five day event. The attractions include funfair and traditional sweetmeat and food stalls.
Today was the day set aside for oxen races. Tomorrow will be horse racing and the day after Kabadi. The last day is usually women only, under strict security arrangements. I am sharing for interest a few photos and videos from today.

Hustle & Bustle

Lungar is served to all without any distinction. Beside Mela days, the lungar is served seven days a week throughout the year for all free of charge. This is an extremely valuable service for the poor and destitute who at least are able to have a daily meal, an important example of community service.

Melas are much anticipated cultural and social events in different parts of the Pakistan. A Mela may be a ‘Urs’ linked or a seasonal event or both.
An Urs is an annual event to mark the birthday or the anniversary of a local saint, attended by people in veneration of their selected spiritual saint. Others also join in. In other cases Melas were welcomed seasonal respite for rural communities, after a season’s or the year’s toil.
As cultural and social events, Melas had particular significance in days when access to towns and cities was difficult or not in fashion. Melas brought hustle and bustle of urban life and entertainment to people who otherwise lived restricted lives.
A seasonal mela is usually at the end of a season, a welcomed opportunity for some respite and entertainment after a season’s toil.

Event To Showcase Skills

Melas also provide opportunities for local communities to showcase their skills and strengths which are agricultural linked. Hence, strength sports such as beeni, weight lifting, kabadi and wrestling along with animal sports such as naiza bazi, dressage, horse racing oxen racing and camel weight lifting were traditionally some of the sports which were showcased. Melas continue to keep these cultural traditions alive and thriving. In this context, long they may continue.

Source of Additional Revenue
Melas attract large numbers of people. They need to be fed and entertained. Traders see it a welcomed opportunity to earn some additional income. A sweetmeat vendor at Jabbar-Islampura Mela, which was held about seven days prior, told me that what he would earn over the next four days would be more than what he earns over the six months. He said that this and the next Mela at Jand Melo (the current), would financially set him up for the next year. Without these opportunities for the additional income, he would not be able to pay for his children’s education. Therefore, melas have significant commercial benefits for the locals.