Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: September 30, 2021 | 
| 中文
An illustration of a dragon fighting a soldier from Chitral (Credits to Chitral Today)
Many interesting legends of Sindh center on the relationship between animals and humans, often embedded in faith and mysticism. The legend of the Indus Blind Dolphin suggests that this river dolphin was once a woman, transformed by a curse from a holy man, who was angry at his wife who forgot to feed him.
The relationship of the famous Hilsa fish from River Indus, locally called Palla, with its patron saint referred to by Muslims as Khawaja Khizer and Jholey Lal by Hindus, is a popular folklore narrated by fishermen of the Mohana tribe. They believe that Palla is a devotee of this saint who is alive, but in hiding. He travels up and down the Indus sitting on the back of the Palla fish, protecting and guiding travelers when they are in danger or lost. A common phrase amongst the devotees of Khawaja Khizer or Jholay Lal goes like this in the Sindhi language, ‘Jeko chawundo Jholay Lal, Tehnija Theenda Bera Paar’, (Whoever calls upon Jholay Lal, his ship shall reach the shores safely).
A Mughal-era painting of saint Khawaja Khizr (Credits to Dawn Newspaper)
The crocodiles at the shrine of Pir (saint) Mangho, are another such example. Situated in one of the oldest areas of Karachi, the shrine has a vast pond and a sulfur spring. The pond is populated by dozens of crocodiles who are regularly fed by visitors. A legend has it that the crocodiles were actually head lice that irritated the Pir so much that he once stamped his feet in anger. Sulfur springs sprang up from the ground, and the lice changed into crocodiles.
Crocodiles of Manghopir being fed by a group of British Soldiers (Credits to Dawn Newspaper)
In Punjab, a legend involving supernatural phenomena is associated with saint Bari Imam, a 17th-century ascetic from Punjab, considered as one of the patron saints of Islamabad. It is said that Bari Imam used to live in a cave where he was visited by wild animals and djinns. A rock which resembles a cave is said to be a real snake, turned into stone by the holy man. A fire burning in the cave is said to be 300 years old, and a tree in front of the cave of the same age. According to the legend, Bari Imam lived in this cave for twelve years.
Loh-e-Dandi cave, the Chilla Gah of saint Bari Imam
Perhaps in no area are such legends as prolific as in the Chitral region of Hindukush Mountain range. There are many mythological creatures, entities and legends of phoenixes, fire giants, ghoul horses, celestial wolves and pixies that have been passed on for centuries. Most locals consider the 25,000 feet high Terich Mir (King of Darkness), the highest mountain of the Hindukush Range, to be the famed Koh-e-Kaaf (Land of the Fairies) of the eastern mythologies.
The Peri (Fairy) (Credits to L'art au Present)
From the watch-fairies on fort walls to guard-fairies accompanying shepherds, from Khangis or domestic fairies taking part in household chores such as picking fruit to Jashtans, special pixies known for their autumn festivals - people of Chitral have fairytales intricately interwoven into their folk culture. On the demonic side, Khapisi is the local version of the night hag. According to the legend, Khapisi sits on the chest of a sleeping person and renders one unable to breathe.
Khapisi, the Night Hag
Halmasti, meaning ‘thunder’, is a demonic hound resembling a large wolf with a coat of dark red fur and a large muzzle. According to the legend, it appears in places where a child is born or a corpse is washed before burial. Neither place should be abandoned for seven days and nights; and babies must not be abandoned for a moment, but if an extreme need arises, an iron object must be placed under the newborn's pillow for protection from Halmasti. There are also many versions of dragons and deos from Chitral, most fascinating of them all being Barmanu, a Himalayan yeti.
Bramanu in Chitral, which resembles the Himalyan Yeti
From the enchanting valleys of Northern Pakistan to its cosmopolitan cities and spectacular desert plains - Pakistan has many fables and myths that add some really vivid and fascinating colors to its overall cultural tapestry.
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