Böcker av Jurgen Wasim Frembgen

This ethnographic study appreciates the cultural traditions of African-descended communities in the south of Pakistan and is a first endeavour to show that their history, society, religion and everyday practices can be a source of pride for them. Known as Shidis, ''black'' Baloch and Khaskhelis, Afro-Pakistanis constitute a sizeable minority of around 300,000 souls living on the fringes of one of the world''s most populous multi-ethnic countries - mostly impoverished, socially deprived, and politically disempowered. Their distinct traditions and practices, ''til now understudied, are shaped by the historical circumstances of trans-oceanic migration. Uprooted from their original homelands in East-, Northeast- and Central Africa, the descendants of former slaves, soldiers and seafarers, but also of free men and women, still preserve their African heritage which significantly contributes to the cultural kaleidoscope and spiritual wealth of Pakistan. Their ''voices'', understood as reminiscences of distant African lands, are embodied in saints, spirits, songs and drums.

This book is about Pakistans most popular Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar whose shrine in Sehwan Sharif is one of the most fascinating sanctuaries in the Muslim world. At the time of pilgrimage, this flourishing cult centre becomes a vibrant place of ecstatic religiosity marked by intense forms of devotion. The present ethnographic study is organized around three themes: piety, pilgrimage, and ritual. Thus, its focus is first on visual culture and material religionas well as various aspects of religious aesthetics which highlight how sacred spaces are constructed and shaped. Secondly, it deals with the year-round pilgrimage, mainly investigating pilgrims from Punjab (including a unique life history of a female Sufi lineage from Lahore), but also discussingremarkable ritual agents in the cult. The third theme is the spectacular trance dance known as dhamal. On February 16, 2017, a suicide bomber executed a horrible massacre among the dancing devotees.