Ring of Fire: Healing under the hidden sun
Parents bury differently-abled children neck-deep at beach as city witnesses solar eclipse
A partial solar eclipse is seen from New Delhi, India, June 21, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
While a solar eclipse results in the sun hiding behind the moon, it makes obvious the prevalence of superstitious beliefs continuing to grip society.
It is a common practice in Pakistan, and numerous other countries, to bury differently-abled persons neck-deep in sand at the seaside during a solar eclipse, in hopes that the exercise will help heal them.
Driven by this belief, many brought their differently-abled children to Sea View beach early on Sunday morning, just before the country witnessed a 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse.
They dug out sand, creating pits large enough for their children - having physical and mental ailments - and buried them, some neck-deep and others waist-deep.
According to the parents, the belief was passed on to them from their elders and they have stuck to it in hopes of seeing their children recover from their disabilities.
"We also came here the last time a solar eclipse was seen in the city," said the father of an eight-year-old child, claiming that his child's condition had improved since then.
On the other hand, another parent, who was at the beach with his 20-year-old son Waleed, said he would be practicing the ritual for the very first time.
"Most solar eclipses that took place earlier lasted a short while but the duration of this solar eclipse is longer and we have high hopes that half-burying Waleed in the sand for this period will lead to his recovery," he said while talking to The Express Tribune.
Consequently, Waleed was buried neck-deep in sand, much to his discomfort. As the few rays of light that managed to seep out from behind the moon hit his face, his disquiet became even more evident.
The younger ones tucked into the sand, though, were seemingly oblivious to this ordeal, with several of those buried waist-deep keeping themselves busy playing with the grains of sand blanketing their bodies.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2020.
While a solar eclipse results in the sun hiding behind the moon, it makes obvious the prevalence of superstitious beliefs continuing to grip society.
It is a common practice in Pakistan, and numerous other countries, to bury differently-abled persons neck-deep in sand at the seaside during a solar eclipse, in hopes that the exercise will help heal them.
Driven by this belief, many brought their differently-abled children to Sea View beach early on Sunday morning, just before the country witnessed a 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse.
They dug out sand, creating pits large enough for their children - having physical and mental ailments - and buried them, some neck-deep and others waist-deep.
According to the parents, the belief was passed on to them from their elders and they have stuck to it in hopes of seeing their children recover from their disabilities.
"We also came here the last time a solar eclipse was seen in the city," said the father of an eight-year-old child, claiming that his child's condition had improved since then.
On the other hand, another parent, who was at the beach with his 20-year-old son Waleed, said he would be practicing the ritual for the very first time.
"Most solar eclipses that took place earlier lasted a short while but the duration of this solar eclipse is longer and we have high hopes that half-burying Waleed in the sand for this period will lead to his recovery," he said while talking to The Express Tribune.
Consequently, Waleed was buried neck-deep in sand, much to his discomfort. As the few rays of light that managed to seep out from behind the moon hit his face, his disquiet became even more evident.
The younger ones tucked into the sand, though, were seemingly oblivious to this ordeal, with several of those buried waist-deep keeping themselves busy playing with the grains of sand blanketing their bodies.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2020.