Sibi Festival

At Sibi (Balochistan). Traditional sports, handicrafts exhibition, folk music and dances.

Since the 15th century the tribes in Baluchistan annually met at Sibi to discuss their internal feuds. This meeting to decide the fate is know as Jirga. The tradition continued till the 17th century when large caravanserai were built to accommodate the tribal chiefs and their colourful entourage . During the British empire in 1876 Sir Robert Sandeman was appointed agent to the governor general in Baluchistan and in 1893 the Durand line between British India and Afghanistan was fixed. To avoid the bloody feuds amongst the warring tribes Sandeman encouraged the annual Jirga

The Jirga still takes place today as the Sibi Mela to promote an annual gathering of tribes to exchange views and develop camel , horse and cattle breeding in the area besides promoting handicrafts. The festival lasts for almost a week in mid-February and marks the beginning of spring, with tournaments, exhibitions, and trading . Thousands of the best camels from the deserts, horses and cattle from villages are brought to the show and tended by colourful tribal people. The fair attracts Balouch tribal elders besides important figures from all over Pakistan, as well as tribesmen from the surrounding areas, and is an excellent place to shop for local Baluchi handicrafts.

Sibi Mela When people in the north tuck themselves under blankets all over the country, Sibi - which lies 163 kilometres to the south east of Quetta at the mouth of the famous “Bolan Pass� almost sizzles. But this does not debar the Sibians to add colour to their lives and enjoy despite the weather odds. The traditional Sibi Mela traces its roots from the 15th century, when this town was the meeting place of all tribal chiefs of the area. The British carried on this tradition in the shape of an annual “Darbar� or meeting, combining it with a ‘Mela� (fair) where thousands of Baluchi tribesmen gathered along with their animals in mid February. Even people from Sind and Punjab also participate with their animals.

• Like the Horse and Cattle show in Lahore, horse and cattle and cultural shows, tent pegging, camel races, animal markets and exhibitions of handicrafts, tribal dresses and folk dances are the hallmark of Sibi Mela.

• Sindh Horse & Cattle Show at Jacobabad and Jashan-e-Larkana are similar to Sibi Mela and are held in last week of February. Traditional sports, exhibition of handicrafts, folk music and dances are displayed. Likewise Jashan-e-Shikarpur in first week of April also includes cultural activities, local sports and handicrafts exhibition.

• The Mela Cheraghan (the Festival of Candles) is a unique festival of Lahore. It is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of March near the historic Mughal era Shalamar Gardens. The celebration is in honour of Hazrat Madho La Hussain, a mystic folk poet. The great Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar (1558 1605) was one of his devotees. The saint died in the 17th century; and a mausoleum over his grave was built by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Madho Lal Hussain' Mausoleum is fabulously illuminated on his death anniversary .

• Shandur Polo Festival, a traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit is held every year at the Shandur Pass (Chitral district) - the highest polo ground of the world. Once the festival commences, it has lot many added attractions, like fold music, folk dances and other competitions, for the visitors and tourists who come to this rather difficult area from all over the world. A tent village along Shandur Lake is set up in cooperation with the local administration.