IN THIS POST:
– Sibi Mela 2020
– Reaching Sibi
– History of the Sibi Mela
– Other Attractions in Sibi
Update (20th February 2020): The Sibi Mela for 2020 was inaugurated by President Arif Alvi on the 19th of February. Nearly 500 craftsmen, folk singers and dancers, and artists have made their way to Sibi to showcase their talent. The festival kicked off with stage dramas, cultural dances, a circus show, and a mushaira on the opening day.
There are plenty of festivals to celebrate spring in Pakistan, but one of the most historical is the Sibi Mela in Balochistan, which is held annually in February to mark the official start of the season. This year is no different with the 5-day festival beginning on the 19th of February 2020 in Sibi, which is a 3-hour drive from the provincial capital, Quetta.
Here’s all you need to know about the Sibi Mela in Balochistan and why you should travel to the region to immerse yourself in the age-old festivities.
Sibi Mela 2020—What to Expect?
With the preparations being complete, the Sibi Mela 2020 is all set to welcome both locals and foreigners to witness how Balochistan celebrates. The video above showcases the highlights of the festival from last year when the region welcomed a large number of tourists who were eager to take part in the fun.
Organised by the Balochistan Academy of Arts along with Lights Vision, several national and international artists performed at the concert in Sibi Mela 2019, including Josh-The Band, Bilal Saeed, Mustafa Zahid from Roxen, and Jawad Ahmed. Meanwhile, this year’s line-up features RDB Band, Amanat Ali, Maria Meer, Asrar, Raaga Boys, and Ayaz Shaikh, among others.
The event generally spans over five days, visited by nearly 500,000 people every year. What was once primarily a cattle show has now expanded into a combination of a horse and cattle show, along with a flower show, performances from local students, a motorcycle stunts show, an army parade, and a Meena Bazaar for women!
It is important to note that the livestock is not just on display. It is also available for sale/purchase, and competitions are also held for the best livestock in a number of categories. In fact, more than 2,000 Bal Nari and Bhag Nari—two cattle breeds that are indigenous to the region of Sibi—were sold to livestock breeders of Sindh and Punjab at the event last year.
Aside from races, games, and food stalls, the event also includes dancing horses, local gymnasts, as well as an agricultural and industrial exhibition on Saturday night at the Auction House where famous artists from all over the country will display their work for visitors. The event will continue late into the night, with a concert and a fireworks display being held on all five days.
Special security arrangements have been made in the region not just for travellers but also for the local cattle owners who will be putting their livestock on display for the show. The festival has a truly Balochi vibe, with local folk dances on Balochi music and handicraft stalls set up for visitors. The people themselves are also warm and welcoming, making you feel at home.
The mela generally starts off with the horse and cattle show, followed by the agricultural and industrial exhibition, with stage and circus performers entertaining the masses all day until the musical night kicks off with the latest tunes and comes to a close in a burst of colours amid fireworks. VIP guests, including provincial and national assembly members, will also be gracing the event with their presence.
How to Get to the Sibi Mela?
Sibi is nearly 160 kilometres away from Quetta to the south-east, located close to the start of the famous Bolan Pass. You can take a quick flight from anywhere in the country to fly to the provincial capital, from where buses, trains, and private taxis can take you to Sibi, where the festivities await you.
Historical Origins of the Sibi Mela in Balochistan
The event has its roots going back to the 15th century when tribal meetings were held in the area to discuss everyday affairs. You can watch the video above for a detailed history of Sibi and the Sibi Mela. The tradition continued during the British Era, being combined with a small fair organised for families to entertain themselves. The livestock farmers of the region also began displaying their animals during this time.
Today, the Sibi Mela in Balochistan has gathered so much fame that livestock owners from across Sindh and Punjab also travel to the area to display their animals and participate in the festival. The local people spend nearly six months planning and preparing for the festival, making their town come alive for the 5-day fair.
Other Attractions In and Near Sibi
While you’re visiting the area for the Sibi Mela, you can also pay a visit to the following sites in the region:
Mir Chakar Khan Fort
Situated in the outskirts of Sibi, Mir Chakar Khan Fort was built in the 15th century when Mir Chakar Khan Rind, a Balochi tribal leader, created his settlement here after he won the Thirty Years’ War against the Lashari tribe. The fort once surrounded his entire village but is now in ruins. The region was preferred by the tribal leader due to its rich and fertile soil and its profitable agricultural returns. Mir Chakar Khan Rind is still considered to be a great warrior and a folklore hero by the Balochi people.
Victoria Hall
One of the only remaining structures from the British Rule over Sibi, Queen Victoria Memorial Hall was built in 1903 as an assembly chamber for the British. It is also called Jirga Hall because the British used to meet the local Jirga leaders in the hall to discuss various arrangements for the Sibi Mela scheduled to be held that year. The building is fully restored and is now home to the small Sibi Museum that displays historical and archaeological artefacts of the region.
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