Seminar orgaized by:

• Michel Boivin, directeur de recherche au CNR^S(TH)
• Delphine Ortis, chargée de cours à l’INALCO
• Saba Sindhri, doctorante à l’EHESS (CEIAS)
• https://enseignements.ehess.fr/2022-2023/ue/924  

Wednesday 4 January 2023 – 10h00-13h00

Room A202 – EHESS – Campus Condorcet

2, rue des Humanités, 93322 Aubervilliers

Virtual room link: https://bbb.ehess.fr/b/mic-f0w-by3-b4x

Session with Endowment Fund Trust for the Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh

Introduction

Sobhia Ali Shaikh, research officer, EFT

The Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh: History and achievements with a focus of post-flood period

Sindh province of Pakistan possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage dating back from Indus Valley Civilization (2500BC). The conservation of built heritage began here in late 19^th century. In 2009, the provincial government of Sindh created a non-profit autonomous Endowment Fund Trust (EFT) with the capital of one million rupees for preservation of both government and privatetly owned protected and non-protected properties. In the summer 2022, Sindh faced unprecedented rains and floods due to global climate changes that caused terrible damage to these structures besides disruption of lives and livehoods. Many towns and villages in Sindh are still dealing with the aftermath of flooding. This presentation provides a glimpse of the stps taken and the achievements made by the EFT from 2009 to 2022.

Erum Chang, research officer, EFT

The Exploration, Documentation, and Reconstruction of the Heritage of the Marri Tribe in Sindh

The research is based on the fieldwork conducted in Sindh, Pakistan, and reflects an archaeological approach to one of Sindh’s heritages. This research study takes an in-depth look into Sindh’s history the exploration of tombs has unearthed significant information. The study reveals the true identity of these tombs, the main objective of this research is to have a deep glance at the origin of these heavenly-built tombs and to document the architectural elements, murals, underground grave structures, and decorative patterns. during fieldwork, the researcher explored many epigraphs on the tombs which aided me in identifying the tomb’s ownership. Furthermore, the researcher has documented the threats to the survival of Marri tombs as a cultural asset.

Tea Break

Amal Hashim, research officer, EFT

Miran Pir and the issue of gender in the saints’worship in Karachi and around

Like almost every other topic regarding the woman, the concept of female sainthood is also a highly controversial, and at times a political one in Islam. Through the ages, various male scholars have marginalised or dismissed the very concept of women serving any purpose in the mystical, spiritual, or ritual life of the religion. And since the male voice has somehow always managed to dominate all these arenas, scholarly work in the current era has also ignored the work actually done by female saints over the years. In this intensely male-dominated world of religion and spirituality, Miran Pir or Miran Maa stands as a haven for women in Lyari, Karachi’s oldest neighbourhood. Through years of ethnic strife and civil war-like conditions, Miran Maa’s shrine has served as a matriarchal figure whose overarching authority cannot be questioned by anyone. No male saint in the same vicinity has been granted this honour by his followers.

General discussion

 

---

---