A Day In The Desert

The people of the Cholistan desert(above) riding on camels to reach other tobas(oasis’) with their caravans.

Have you ever imagined what life might be like if you were a Muslim living in the desert? We have Interviewed the Abassi family and the Rich landlords of the desert to give you a representation of life and status in the Cholistan desert.  The Cholistan Desert is 26,300 square kilometers and spans from Pakistan into India. Many nomadic families like these live in the Cholistan and move when they run out of water. The Abbasi family makes their money from selling camels, Every year they go to the Sibi fair in Sibi and sell them. Recently drama has been arising in the Abassi family and the soon to be groom of the eldest daughter, Phulans groom was killed. The family has seamlessly bounced back and in only 2 weeks after his death has found Phulan another husband.  When speaking to the youngest daughter, Shabanu she said, “I do not want this, they can’t do this to me, my true husband his Murad.” We soon found out that Murad is the man that Phulan will Marry but used to be the man that Shabanu would marry. Shabanu has recently been set up with a much older man of the name Rahim-sahib. He is the landlord’s brother and when we talked to him he claimed that even though he had 3 wives he felt that when Shabanu and him where alone  they were the only people on the earth.” I love her, and need her as my wife.”

We interviewed Murad as well and he told us how it was hard to adjust to a new wife but once he saw Phulan’s beauty he knew that he would love her forever.

Are last interviewer was Phulan she said

“It was hard when Hamir died but I knew that my mother and father would do something about it. Once I found out that Murad would be my husband I was overjoyed.”

All of this drama started in The Abassi family’s little hut in the cholistan desert. The Abassi family owns 30 adult camels and 15 baby camels. This family is just like the thousands that live deep in the Cholistan 

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