Traditional Eid activities lose popularity

In the streets of the old inner city, traditional Eid celebrations such as donkey rides, balloon-popping contests with slingshots, and swings are still ongoing but slowly fading away.

While large amusement parks, chairlifts, bumper cars, and hydraulic swings have developed in the city, old traditional activities remain a key part of life in the older, densely populated neighbourhoods.

On the three days of Eid, children from working-class families continued to enjoy these traditional activities.

Children rode donkeys, played balloon-popping games with slingshots, and enjoyed small prizes like 100-rupee lottery tickets for just 20 rupees.

Despite the availability of modern entertainment, children in the inner city were seen relishing simple pleasures like traditional swings, roundabouts, and donkey rides for just 20 rupees.

Many children expressed their happiness, with Rehan mentioning his enjoyment of the roundabout swings and Nasir proudly sharing how he popped balloons with a slingshot.

Nazia Bibi also shared that she had fun riding the donkey with her siblings.

Sohail Abbasi, who runs a traditional swing stall, explained that he has five donkeys and works with them during festive occasions like Eid and Independence Day, providing donkey rides for the children. He mentioned that these activities help him earn a living.

Another worker, Nawaz Ali, shared that he earns by popping balloons with a slingshot. Despite the rise of modern entertainment, traditional swings are an important part of local culture, and their preservation is crucial.