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| Pakistan Gift Store Home»Fairs and Festivals in Pakistan
» Sibi Mela |
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Sibi Mela |
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Pakistan is a nation which has a rich and diverse culture and the fairs and festivals in Pakistan are a true reflection of this rich heritage. These exciting and innovative landscapes of festivals and events will leave you enchanted. One the fairs which take place in Pakistan is called the Sibi Mela or the Sibi Fair. Fairs are celebrated all round the globe, sometimes to commemorate a special event or seasonal change. Sibi Mela in Pakistan is a fair which is held in the small but historic town of Sibi. Sibi is situated about 163 Kms away from Quetta and is situated south east of Quetta at the mouth of the famous Bolan Pass.
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However there historians vary in their opinion regarding the origins of Sibi Mela. According to some historians Sibi Mela has intrinsic links with the remains of the barter system, when Sibi was the center of business for the traders dealing with the nomadic Baloch tribes. The tribesmen had to spend their winters in the plains of Kachhi and Sindh, and before venturing back to Sarawan and Khurasan during the spring months. Before leaving Sibi for another season, they would make purchases on a large scale in return for livestock, which would be of great benefit for the traders. According to this school of historians this sheer necessity and economic benefit gave birth to Sibi Mela which is one of the quintessential features of the cultural tradition of Pakistan.
According to another school of historians Sibi Mela originated after the arrival of the British in Pakistan. Memoirs of British imperialists during that period show that in 1885 a horse fair was first held at Sibi in the month of February, which was fully availed by the Britishers during the Afghan war. Whatever may be the theory about the origins of the Sibi Mela there is no doubt about the fact that this Mela or fair provided a greater opportunity for people to get together. The increasing number of games and events and pageantry attracted the interest of the common masses into the festivals of Sibi. The cooperation of the people of the adjoining areas in the sale and purchase of cattle was also crucially important in its organization.
Till today Sibi Mela retains its enduring appeal and tribesmen flock from all over Baluchistan, parts of Sind, and Punjab with their animals to trade in Sibi Mela. The quintessential features of this Sibi Mela are horse and cattle and cultural shows, tent pegging, camel races, animal markets, and exhibitions of handicrafts, tribal dresses, and folk dances. The rustic charm of Sibi Mela lures tourists from round the globe to visit this Mela in Pakistan.
So if you are visiting Pakistan during Sibi Mela don't forget to take back some fine mementos for your near and dear ones from the finest Pakistan gift stores.
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