Happy Muslim Mama: Summer 2008 in Lahore: Visit to My Grandparents Village

This is my grandparents village. Our people originate from Kashmir (apparently) and before that from Palestine (that’s the most popular theory) where they came over in Muhammed Bin Qasim’s army to conquer Hind. They settled in the city of Sialkot, then about 150 years ago came to Jhelum, from whence they ended up in the small town of Parri (about a mile away). They always shake their head when mentioning this, as if wondering what possessed them to come here. About eighty years ago, my grandfather decided to have a go at settling the wasteland outside of the town and brought his five brothers and best friend (my other granddad) with him. They built their houses next to each other and farmed the land. Their children are now spread all over Pakistan, the Emirates and the UK and the little village is now a thriving hub of commerce with people travelling from other villages and the nearest town to shop here. The land is green and fertile.

Whenever we visit, we leave hot, dirty, noisy chaotic Lahore and drive for five hours. As we get nearer the weather gets cooler and the landscape more beautiful. After the heat and bustle of the city, its as if you are ascending into a haven of peace. The air is clean and crisp and its a pleasure to just breathe. It really is a homecoming of a kind, back to our extended family, back to the place where all our people are buried and back to the land that built my family’s fortunes.
The green dome is the roof of a tomb. I am not sure of the history, but the deceased was a pious man of some repute. His tomb says Baba Sher (Old Man Lion).

These mountains form the backdrop to the village. At one time they were famous for salt and wildlife. The British would join the local landowners to hunt for boar, deer and lions. Now boar and wolves remain with cattle also roaming up there. My grandfather also used to tell us stories about the scary things (Jinn) he has seen up there whilst passing through or collecting firewood when he was a young man.