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Just as there are innumerable gods and goddesses of Hindus,
so are their religious days, which are in fact more than the
number of days in year. The more important events are given
below, many of are still being observed by Sindhis in India.
1. Cheti Chand
This is to celebrate the birth of Water god (Varun Devta) Sai
Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal. So much has been said
and written about it that it would be superfluous to repeat
the event. In Sindh the beginning of the new year was considered
Cheti Chand. Some businessmen opened new account books; many
however, did that on the eve of Diwali. On the full moon
day,
people used to go to a river or lake and offer 'Akho' with
a pinch of rice mixed with milk mand flour. If there was
no river
or 'Darya', the ritual was performed at a well. Even Sikhs
went to temples or Gurdwara, because Guru Nanak's birthday
also took
place on Purnima.
2. Sagra (Sacred thread)
Sindhi Bhaibands generally lived in foreign countries; therefore,
their wives were always worried about the good health of
their husbands. For this purpose they performed pooja and
fasted on
four Mondays of Sharwan month. After which they perform
pooja, distribute sweet rice and then get the sacred thread
tied
by the priests (Banbhan). Here in India, the priests have
made a
show business which costs nearly 500-800 rupees.
3. Mahalakshmi's
Sacred Thread
(Mahalakshmi-a-jo-Sagro)
This sacred thread had sixteen strips and sixteen days.
On the day when the sacred thread was to be untied, it
was celebrated
as an important day and special savouries like satpura
and pakwan
of Suji & Maida were made and distributed firstly to
the priests and the poor and afterwards the remaining savouries
were used by family members.
4. Fasts
In Sindh, generally Mondays & Saturdays, Giyaras or Umaas
were observed as fasts (vrats). During the fast of Satyanarayan
and nine days of Ekaanaas, only one meal was generally
taken.
5. Teejri
This takes place in the month of Shrawan when married
women and girls painted their hands and feet with Mehndi,
fast
for the
whole day, during which they used to play games, swing
in Jhulas and sing songs. In the night after making
an offering
to the
moon, they used to break the fast.
6. Akhan Teej
On this day, in the moonlight, new water earthern pots
were kept and everyone was offered clean and cool
water. The significance
of this day was to offer water to the thirsty. Hence
at every nook and corner, the sharbat, with pieces
of apple
in it,
was
offered to visitors alongwith 'prasad'. On this day,
it was also customary to send new earthern pots and
fruits to priests
and
Gurdwara.
7. Un-Matyo
During the month of Sharwan, on the Baaras of Krishna
Paksha. Cereals were changed in food, i.e. instead
of wheat and
rice, the chapatis made of gram flour (Besan) were
eaten.
8. Ban Badhri
In the month of 'Bado', during the Baaras of Shukla
Paksha, god Varun had taken avtaar. In lieu of
that small insects
like ants
etc. were fed Gur(jaggery) and Musti. Married
daughters were invited by their parents for food.
9. Somavati
Umaas
In certain months Umaas takes place on a Monday.
That day is considered important for having a "dumb
dip' in the waters; without talking to anyone
early in the morning. It is also, called
'Gungee Umaas".
10. Nandhi and Vaddi Thadri
Both these takes place in the month of Shrawan.
On the day before Thadree day, people cook
lola (sweet
flour
cakes) and rote (fried
cakes) because there has to be no lighting
of fire in the house on the Thadree day. The lolas
and
Rotes are
eaten
with
curd.
On that day drops of water also sprinkled on
the cooking fire to appease Sitladevi Mata.
11. Janamashtami, Ram Navmi and Shivratri
Since Lord Krishna was born after midnight,
on Janamashtami, bhajans and kirtan were
held in
temples till midnight.
On Ram Navmi, Lord Rama's birthday was celebrated.
On Shivratri people
used to drink 'Thaadhal' with some 'bhang'
in it, after making
offering of it in the Mahadev temple. In
the villages and cities big pots of 'Taahri' (sweet
rice) were
prepared and distributed
among all.
12. Tirmoori
On this day parents send ladoos & chiki (Laaee) made of
Tils to their daughters. On the Makar Sankrant
day the sun moves from
south to north. It is therefore also called
'Dutraan' or 'Tirmoori'. In Mahabharat battle Bhisham Pitamah
did not breath his last
till 'Datraan' since on this day there
happens flush of light in Dev Lok.
13. Dassera
A few days before Dassera there used to
be Ramlila program which was attended
by throngs
of people.
On Dassera day
the colourful
effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath
were burnt.
14. Diyaaree
Two days before Diwali people started
lightling Diyaas (earthern lamps) from
'Dhan Teras'.
The bazars used
to be full with
prospective consumers. Friends and
relatives used to meet one another with
affection and extended pleasantries
and sweetmeats. At night, Laxmi Poojan took
;place when all
the members of the family
prayed with reverence and respect.
People used to take in their hands
a stick to which a rag dipped in oil
was tied which was
burnt. It was called 'Mollawaro'; everyone
shouted 'Mollawaro..... Mollawaro'....
15. The Giyaras of Kati
On this day people used to be engaged
in giving charity. The whole bazar
would be
full with
hundreds of beggars
and the needy,
who would spread a cloth before them,
on which people kept on throwing
money, Bhugra,
fruits
etc. The jugglers
used
to arrange
their Tamashas on the road with monkeys
and bears dancing on the tunes played
by the
jugglers. An atmosphere of gaiety
prevailed all through the day.
16. Navratra
During these days devotees of Devi
ate once in a day and did not even
shave
and hair
cut. Ladies
sang
bhajans.
In
Nagarparkar
they used to dance like Garba in
Gujrat.
On the day of Lal Loee children
used to bring wood sticks from
their grand
parents
and
aunties and
like a fire
camp burnt these
sticks in the night with people
enjoying dancing and playing around
fire.
Some ladies whose
wishes were
fulfilled offered
coconuts in the fire and distributed
prasad 'Sesa'; this continued till
midnight.
17. Nariyal Purnima
During the Purnima of Shrawan month
sisters tied Rakhi to their brothers.
This day
is called as "Rakhree Bandhan'.
Even the near cousins used to
bind Rakhis. Sisters used to
come
from far off places and towns
to specially tie Rakhis to their
brothers.
There was so much affection and
love. Those cities and places
where there were rivers or sea,
people used to offer coconuts
and milk to the God of Waters
'Varun Devta so that those who
were travelling in ships and
boats should have a safe and
a sound journey.
18. Shraadh
Like in India the month of September
'Bado' was meant for Krishna
Paksha as Pitar Pakhiya.
If
any member
of the family
who had
died on particular (tithi)
day and date, a Shraadh was offered
for the
solace
of the deceased's
soul. The Brahmins
were
given food and Dakhshina. It
is said that Arya Samaj carried
out
a
strong movement against Shraadh,
but the Shraadhs continued
because of the
faith
of people since
they felt that
through this method
the deceased members of the
family are remembered and all the family
members have a good gathering.
19. Nagapanchmi(Gogro)
In those days whenever the
snake charmer brought snakes,
they
were given some
Dakhshina and
also milk for the
sanmes. Nagpanchami
is also called Gogro. It
is a folklore from Kutch and Gujarat.
In Thatta, near Pir
Pitho, there was a kingdom of King
Gopichand.
Once his
daughter
Vachhalbai
saw
a flower
flowing in the
river. She obtained the flower
with the help of her friend.
A saintly
person's soul lived in that
flower. As Vachhalbai smelled
the flower,
the soul
entered the
stomach. After a few
months the
king came to know his daughter’s
pregnancy and was also told
about smelling of the flower.
But he knew no one would
believe
the story. He therefore,
ask four of his soldiers
to take Vachhalbai in a chariot
and leave her in a deserted
jungle, where due to
the snake bite one ox pulling
the chariot fell down. The
soldiers could not run the
chariot with one ox. At that
time, a voice
came from stomach of Vachhalbai, "Mother
chant this mantra and sprinkle
water on the dead ox." Vachhalbai
and the soldiers were surprised
but they did what they were
told, and
the ox recovered
immediately. The soldiers
saluted Vachhaalbai with
respect and left her in the
deserted place.
Over a period
of time Vachhalbai gave birth
to a child who
was called 'Gogro'.
When
it cried
in hunger,
all
the snakes
used
to collect there to feed
him turn with their poison.
This
poison
gave strength
to the
child, who with
his power dug
up a ditch
and produce a spring of water.'Gogro'
used to play with snakes
and drunk their poison.
One
day a Rajput king's caravan came to pass from there.
He was dying
out of thirst.
Gogro
gave him
water on
the condition that
he must leave seven boys
to live in the jungle.
In order
to save
his life
king
Chawan left
seven boys
there.
How to feed the
seven boys, became a problem for Gogro.
Ultimately
not finding
any other
way he
started taking
more poison from
the snakes. This created
a discontentment among
the snakes
and a small
snake 'Han Khanu' was
determined to kill
Gogro; but it
had a very little poison.
The great snake Python
'Ajgar' gave poison
to him. The
Cobra said
that it
is a sin
to kill our master.
And he said that if Han
Khanu killed the Gogro,
he would
devour the
han Khanu. Since
that time
the biggest
of
snakes - Python
has no poison and the
cobra wherever it sees Han Khanu
devours it.
Gogro had
such a power that if
he turned his
eyes to
the place
where
a snake
bit, the whole
poison
evaporated.
That
is why
the Han Khanu bit Gogro
on his jaw where Gogro
could
not see
the place. While dying
Gogro said to
his friends "When
I die you cook me and
eat me up." His
friends cut him in two
pieces, cooked him but
did not feel like eating.
So they threw the full
pot in the river. Some
thieves got hold of this
pot. Since
they were hungry, they
ate all the pieces. As
they realized what had
occurred, their soul
went to their stomach.
They also became
souls and their third
eye opened up, through
which they could see
the future. These theives
were called 'Mamooyoon
Fakirs'.
Many references are made
to this by Dr.Gurbaxani
in his poems.
Mahatam
Gogro before he died,
told all his
friends
not
to bite the
people without
a
reason and also
told the
people to consider
snakes as their friends.
Nagpanchami therefore,
is celebrated in the
honour of the god of
snakes.... Gogro.
20. Holi
This is a festival of colors
in which all the young
and old join
together
to express
their
joy at the
change of season.
Some people
correlate Holi festival
with Holika, the sister of Hirnakashyap,
mythological son of Bhagat
Prahlad.
Sindhis were philosophical
and hence they made invaluable observations of life.
Bhandey jey man mein
hikri
Sahib jey man mein bee
Literally means: While man has something on his mind, God has something
else on His
The above proverb shows that Sindhis believed in God’s will,
and felt that man proposes and God disposes. Sindhis not only
believed in God’s will, but also in His mercy. Hence they claimed:
Mar-run vaarey khaan
Rakhar vaaro vejho aahey
Which means: God, the Protector is greater than he who wants to harm you.
In connection with death, Sindhis said:
Jinjo hitey khap
Tinjo hutey bhi khap
Literally means: Those who are most needed on earth Seem to be needed by
God as well
or
Those people who are needed, die sooner than we would like them to.
When one speaks a lie, one tends to speak so many more to substantiate
the first untruth.
Hence Sindhis believed:
Sach ta vetho nach
Which literally means: If you speak the truth you can continue to dance
with joy.
In other words, if you speak the truth, you can enjoy peace
as there is no fear of you contradicting yourself.
If one learns to sit in a corner of a room on the floor, no
one will push one around. It is this belief that the following
proverb agrees with:
Jainh khaado taro
Tainh khey nako soor nako baro.
Which literally means that if one eats the food from the bottom of the
saucepan, one will not suffer from pain or humiliation. It implies that
it pays to be humble.
Obviously Sindhis believed in the wisdom of the last proverb
because they claim the opposite to be true.
They say: Jedo uth Tedo
lodo
Which means: The bigger the camel, The bigger the jerks it experiences.
Sindhis believe in reciprocating a favour.
Khaado khaaey
Ta akhiyoon lajayeen
Which means thatif you partake of somebody’s food, you feel embarrassed
until you reciprocate the favor. Also Sindhis claimed:
Jainjo khaaibo
Tainjo gaaibo
Which means that one must appreciate and praise, those who feed you and
/or do you a favour.
The following saying echoes the latter proverb’s feeling.
Khaado khaaibo ta khangbo
bhee
Which means that while eating, you will be sometimes forced
to clear your throat.
On the subject of food, Sindhis observed:
Daaney daaney tey mohir.
Which means that every grain of food is stamped with the
name of the eater.
The above proverb ascertains that Sindhis believed in destiny.
Sindhis connected well-being with food. The latter they very
poetically connected with Muslim festivals, with which Hindu
Sindhis were familiar, as they lived midst Sindhi Muslims.
Aahey ta Eed na ta Rozo
Which means that if one is financially sound, then one eats
well, like one does during the festival of "Eed".
If one, on the other hand is not economically comfortable,
then one must perforce fast like during "Roza".
Sindhis were sensible enough to realize that too much money
does not automatically buy them happiness.
Hence they claimed:
Uho sone hi ghoryo
Jo kana chhiney
Which implies that, those golden earrings are not worthy
of possession if they are too heavy and tear your ears. Yet
Sindhis believed that wealth was an important requisite to
happiness. Hence they stated:
Naarey binaa nar vegaano
Which means that without money man feels alone and dejected.
Sindhis observed that being depressed unhappy and worried is
like a disease. Hence they stated:
Khushee jairee khuraak
koney
Gantee jairo marz koney
Which means that there is no nourishment like joy, and no
disease is worse than worry.
In the next proverb Sindhis as a matter of fact compared worry
to death. They stated:
Chintaa chikhyaa samaan
Then how does one get peace and joy? Sindhis advised:
Vandey viraayey sukh
paaye
Which means that sharing what one has with ones brethren
, gives happiness. Sindhis believed that if someone gives
one something for safe-keeping, one must honorably return it
when the time came. Hence they stated:
Amaanat mein khyaanat
na kajey
Sindhis believed that those who are honest will never want
even though they may be cheated. Hence they claimed:
Baanee saayee jee saayee
Gaayee bukhyey jo bukhyo
Which literally means that the grass of an honest person
will remain green, no matter how many people continue to partake
of it, and remain ungratified.
The entrance and exit of money, prestige, possessions are stages
that come at different times into everyone’s life. Hence Sindhis
urged not to criticize others as one never knows when ones turn
will come. They said:
Aj hamaan
Subhaaney tamaan
Which literally means, today I suffer, tomorrow you might.
People have a way of noticing how much money comes into
the house, but they generally never keep count of how much
goes into expenditure. Hence the saying:
Eendo sabko disey
vendo disey kon
What happens when wealth bids adieu? Sometimes it takes
your good qualities with it.
Hence the saying:
Lachmi vaney ta lachhan
bi vanan
.What happens when God is unhappy with you? According to
the Sindhis, you lose your good sense. Hence the saying:
Allah rusey mat khasey
Must one be dejected when bad days are around? Not at all! Sindhis
believed that when one door closes, another hundred open.
Hence the saying:
Hikree latey sau patey
Sindhis believed that one must be sensible before embarking
on a tricky mission. Hence they urged one to adopt a course which
would make one achieve ones goal, without stepping on anyone
else’s happiness. They said:
Ehro kam kajey
Jo laal labhey
Ain preet bee rehjee achey
Which means: Let us act in such a manner that we find the
sought for gem and we continue to retain the friendship.
The following proverb urges one not to take up too many tasks
at one time as it would spoil ones endeavors. About such people
Sindhis observed:
Uhey hath roti mein
Uhey hath choti mein
Which means that people who take up too many tasks at one
time, are like those who use the same hands to knead dough,
and the same hands to plait their hair.
The latter proverb implies that if one performs these two tasks
at the same time, then ones food would not get hygienically prepared,
and ones hair would get soiled.
The following proverb, though it may sound similar has a different
meaning altogether.
Uheyee hatha neer mein
Uheyee hatha kheer mein
It literally states that the same hands that are immersed in
the water (tears) are also immersed in the milk. The implied
meaning of this proverb is that at times life doles out two
tasks at the same time. One provides pain, and the other gives
joy.
Sindhis believed that you should do what you have to do as soon
as possible. They stated:
Turt daan
Maha kalyaan
and
Turt kam maha punya
Which means that if you execute your duty promptly, it is
equivalent to performing a good deed.
Sindhis believed that it was the tongue, or unkind words which
caused the most harm, they not only hurt the ones that the harsh
language was meant for but also the one who uttered them. Sindhis
stated:
Uhaayee zibaan ussa mein
vyaarey
Uhaayee zibaan chhaaon mein vyaarey
Which literally means that the same tongue makes you sit
under the sun and it is the same tongue that makes you sit
in the shade.
Sindhis urged one never to harm the down-trodden, as God would
take up their cause and take revenge for the harm done to the
poor. Hence the saying:
Aah gareebaa kair khudaayee
Which literally means that if the down trodden cry in pain
for the harm inflicted upon them, then God Himself takes revenge.
Sindhis believed that :
Un-herya na her, mataan
hirani
Heryaan na pher mataan phiranee
This proverb states that one should not get someone used
to constant favors done out of goodwill, because when you stop
doing them the benefaction, they might turn against one.
Alternately Sindhis stated:
Sakhi khaan shoom bhalo
Jo turt dyey javaab
Which means that he is better, who promptly says "No" to
a proposition, rather than the one who says "Yes" to
proposals, and then goes on to resent the same.
There are people who do favors unto you, but hurt you by constantly
reminding you, and/or being nasty to you. To such people Sindhis
advise:
Na dijey na dukhoyjey
Which literally means "Do not give, if you must hurt
the person later.
It is ever so difficult to please everyone all the time. And
to top it, to please oneself seems to be, even a more monumental
task. There is no argument to the statement that if one is happy,
the world seems a great place to live in. Hence;
Jeeyu khush ta jahaan
khush
Which literally means
that if one is happy, the world is a cheerful place to live
in.
It is so easy to criticize others. Why? Because we are not in
their shoes. One cannot argue the fact that only the person who
is in the situation is aware of why he/she behaves the way he/she
does. Hence the observation:
Gur jaaney
Gur jee gothree jaaney
Which literally means that the sugar knows, and the bag
that carries the sugar knows (how light or heavy, how empty
or full, or how clean or dirty the contents and/or the bag
are).
Sindhis urged their fellow brethren to be good. They claimed
that there were various benefits to derive from being exemplary.
They stated:
Thado gharo paan khey
paaneyee
chhaaon mein vyaarey
Which means that a cool pot of water seats itself in the
shade. It implies that if one stays composed one stays
out of conflict.
Another method of remaining peaceful is not to be distressed,
when one possesses less, and not be proud when one has much.
Thus:
Thoro disee araao na
thijey
Ghano disee araso na thijey
Sindhis believed that one should live according to ones
means. Hence they observed:
Savar aahir per digheran
Which means that one should stretch ones legs according
to ones blanket.
It is believed that if your right hand does a good deed, your
left hand should not get to know about it.
On this creed, Sindhis opined:
Nekee karey, daryaa mein
vijh
Which literally means that after having performed a good
deed, drop the thought of it into the sea.
There are people, who do nothing but exaggerate. About such
humans, Sindhis stated:
Jabal khey thyaa soora,
jaayee kuyee
Which literally means that the mountain had labor pains,
but only a mouse took birth.
Similarly:
Kuey ladhee haid garee
Chavey aaon pasaaree
Which literally means that a mouse found a piece of turmeric,
and claims to own a grocery store.
About people who paint an exaggerated image about themselves,
Sindhis claimed:
Labhey lath na
Babo bandookan vaaro
Which means that he is a type of person who does not even
own a stick, and he claims to be a master of guns.
Relationships
In matters of relationships, Sindhis made interesting observations.
For a husband they believed
that:
Murs ta phado
Na ta jado
Which literally means that unless a husband is hard to please,
he is not good enough.
Probably the macho image of a difficult man was attractive to
a Sindhi woman. On the other hand, maybe the proverb was coined
by the parents of the girl to make her life more satisfactory,
by praising the negative traits of her husband.
In the following proverb however, they categorically compare
a son-in-law to a crooked stick. Sindhis state:
Naathee, dingee kaathee
Present time Sindhis would probably disagree with the above
observation, as one often sees sons-in law as caring as ones
sons and daughters.
During the time that our fore-fathers lived their life in Sindh,
daughters must have been a life long liability, hence Sindhis
stated:
Abo gasey, dheeya vasey
Which literally means that fathers have to work very hard
so that their daughters prosper.
It is interesting to observe how much the daughter’s parents
would give in for the happiness of their female off-spring.
The following proverb was probably coined by dejected girls’ parents
who would not reciprocate the humliation inflicted upon them
by the in-laws of their daughter. They stated:
Jainkhey dinyoon jaayoon
Tinsaan kahryoon baayoon
Which means that once one has given ones daughters in marriage,
one cannot get angry with her new family.
The previous two proverbs point to the fact that having daughters
put one through difficulties and humiliation at the time when
these sayings were coined. However it is interesting to note
that the Sindhis of yore believed that a son shares you properties
and possessions whereas a daughter partakes of your joys and
sorrows. Hence Sindhis stated:
Put thyey maal bhai
Dheeya thyey haal bhai
Sindhis stated:
Maau jee dil makhan
Puta jee dil pathar
Which literally means that a mother’s heart is soft as butter
while the heart of the son is made of stone.
Elders claimed that though a mother-in-law be hard as wood
, she is good to have around, as during times of need she would
always be there to extend a helping hand. Hence they stated:
Sas kaath jee bi suthee
Sindhis believed that:
Jeko daadho so gaabo
Which means that he who stands his ground, eventually wins.
Yet during arguments and discussions, Sindhis wisely observed
that:
Taari hik hathee kon
vajandee aahey
Which literally means that one cannot clap with one hand .
It implies that wherever there is an argument, all parties are
probably to blame to a certain extent.
About the grand children from the daughter’s side, Sindhis claimed:
Doita vadhandey very
Which implies that the children from ones daughter were
never close enough to their maternal grand-parents, however
much the latter pampered the kids.
This was probably due to the fact that children spent more time
with their paternal grand-parents, and hence were influenced
by the their opinion, of their maternal grand-parents.
It is interesting to note that this proverb does not generally
ring true now-a-days, probably because grand-children spend enough
time with their maternal grand-parents and formulate their own
beliefs.
Maternal grand-parents claimed:
Naani radhan vaaree
Doitaa khaain vaaraa
Which literally means that matenal grand-children eat while
the grand-mother toils and cooks.
Grand-parents believed that:
Moor khaan vyaaj mitho
Which means that the interest is always more enjoyable than
the principal amount, thereby implying that one tends
to love ones grand-children more than their parents.
Talking about interest accrued from wealth Sindhis observed
that interest "runs" which implies that it augments
even during the night. Thus they stated:
Vyaaj raat jo bhee pandh
karey
About interest they also claimed:
Vyaaj aahey Soortee ghoro
Which means that interest is like a racing horse.
On the subject of debts Sindhis observed:
Karz vado marz
Which means that owing debts is like suffering from a bad
disease.
However whatever one is able to salvage from a bad debt is good.
Hence if a ship drowns, salvage the iron. The latter
is what is expressed in the following proverb:
Budyal beri maan
Loh bhee chango
The following proverb states that:
Jeko chul tey
So dil tey
Which means that one is always more fond of those members
of ones family with who one lives and eats together.
The following proverb did not contend with the last saying’s
belief because Sindhis claimed:
Deraanyoon veraanyoon
sathan janman khaan viryal
Which means that sister’s in -law(wives of brothers), continue
to remain enemies since the last seven generations even
though they probably stayed and ate together.
Misunderstandings on financial matters were probably as common
then, as they are now, hence elders very wisely stated:
Ba bhaur tyon lekho
Which literally means that where there are two brothers,
a written document (of finance and properties) must exist.
Well, brothers seemed to enjoy a certain power. But what about
a brother’s wife?
Elders observed:
Gareeb jee joy
jag jee bhaajaayee
Which means that the wife of a poor man is like a brother’s
wife to the world.
I believe that the above means that just like a brother’s wife
was supposed to serve one with respect, so was a poor man’s wife.
When sensitive mothers-in law would want their new daughters-in
law to follow a certain code of conduct, they would instruct
their daughters, and naturally the daughter- in- law of the house
would emulate the same act. Hence the saying:
Chao dhiya khey
Ta sikhey noonha
Which means: If you instruct your daughter, your daughter-in-law
learns.
Obviously during the days of yore, there must have been daughters
in law or/and wives who spent enough time following their own
pursuits or the following proverb would not have been formulated.
It claims:
Ghar ghoran khey
Baara choran khey
Which literally means that the house has been left to the
horses, and the children have been left under the care of thieves.
Sindhis probably did not broad-cast the above news, because
they believed that one must not wash dirty linen in public. Hence
they stated:
Ghar jo kin
Ghar mein dhopjey
Which literally means that one must wash ones dirty laundry
at home.
Talking of homes Sindhis stated:
Ghar mein ghar
Budee vanee mar
Which means that if your extended joint families live under
the same roof, you are as good as dead.
Obviously Sindhis were talking about the intrigues, tensions
and arguments that would result because of so many people of
different hue and character living together. Hence they stated:
Ghar jee gahpee
Matan jo panee sukaayey chhadey
Which literally means that arguments in a house can get
so hot, that they are capable of drying up the water in the
earthen pots.
The following saying was probably formulated by a dejected mother-in-law
who claims:
Sheedi siki vyaa soonha
khaan
Maan siki vyas siyaani noonha khaan
Which means that the dark-skinned people yearn for a fair
complexion, whereas I long for a sensible daughter-in-law.
The above mother-in-law probably agrees with the following proverb:
Soorat khaan seerat bhali
Which means that it is better to have uprightness, rather
than possess good looks.
Yet another saying exists to confirm the above belief.
Ahraa suhinaa toohaa
ta jangal mein bhee ahan
Which literally means that beautiful "toohaa" flowers
abound in the jungle.
This proverb implies that just like "toohaa" flowers,
which have no value, grow in plenty in the jungle, similarly
good looking people have no value, unless they possess good qualities.
Sindhis believed that:
Naadaan dost khaan
Daanav dushman chango
Which means that it is better to have a wise enemy than
a foolish friend.
Sindhis also believed that it is better to be criticized
by a wise man rather than be praised by a fool. Hence
they stated:
Moorakh jey khushaamad
khaan
Syaaney jee tok bhalee
Sindhis probably believed that a stupid friend is like a:
Sakhini kunee ghano ubhaamey
Which means that an empty vessel bubbles more, or makes
the most sound.
Probably that is why Sindhis concluded that it is better
to cut a bad finger. ( Rather than the poison spreads)
Hence they stated:
Kini aangur vadhee bhalee
Yet Sindhis did not want to make generalizations. They realized
that:
Sab aangriyoon baraabar
konan
Which means that all fingers are not of the same size or
shape.
Not only about people and friends, but Sindhis observed that,
children born from the same parents never enjoy the same destiny.
Hence they claimed:
Bhaag na deendi vandey
Mau janeendi putraa
Which means that though a mother gives birth and life to
children, yet she cannot divide the same destiny equally amongst
them.
Even though each of us enjoy separate and different destinies
from our siblings, relatives and friends, Sindhis believed that
rather than burn in envy because others enjoy better fortune,
one must remember that by wishing them well, one tends to benefit
from their good fortune, if one continues to be their friend.
Hence they say:
Saa-ey maan sau sukha
Which means that one can derive a lot of benefit from the
fortunate ones.
Sindhis urged the less fortunate ones not to lose heart but
to have patience. They said:
Sabur jo phal mitho aahey
Which means that patience brings a sweet reward.
The Sindhi wise ones believed that:
Parayo pyo, ghar vyo
Which implies that when an intruder enters ones house, he
may be the cause of the destruction of ones home.
Though Sindhis were famous for their "Mehmaan navaazi" which
means that Sindhis were excellent hosts, they were also wary
of intruders and therefore urged others to eye them with suspicion.
About such people they said:
Aa-ee taando khanan
Borchyaani thee vethee
Which means, that she came only to borrow a charcoal, but
remained to take full charge of the kitchen.
Sindhis did not only criticize what harm others can inflict
upon you, but realized that you alone can be responsible for
what fate holds for you if you choose to do the wrong thing
Hence they said:
Koylan jey dalaalee mein
hatha bhee kaaraa
Ta per bhee kaaraa
Which means that if you work in a coal mine, your hands
and feet are bound to get soiled.
Sindhis believed that one must never lose heart, during the
ups and downs of life, but be patient. They claimed:
Sabur jo phal mitho aahey
Which means that perseverance brings to ones destiny a fruit
that is sweet.
I would like to close this offering in the form of this booklet
of ours by one of the wiser sayings of our fore-fathers which
claims:
Jahaan jeeyu tahaan sikhu
Which means that there is no end to learning, and that while
one continues to live one continues to learn.
I do hope that we have learned from the wise sayings of our
ancestors. We must not forget our roots and we must move towards
the future with intelligence, perseverance, pride and dignity.
I pray that the younger generation is inspired enough by this
humble offering of ours, to join us to pay homage to those Sindhis
of yore, on whose values our lives have been built.
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