Jogi Moor

Oct 25, 2006

The people in this particular village are Jogi (Joe Ghee). This is an ethnic Pakistan group. Having worked and lived in a number of traditional communities, going to this village was not a shock to my system, although the 35 degree C certainly was … having just arrived from wet and cold UK.

Zeeba, a Pakistan female GP, acted as my translator. Her family welcomed me into their home. In fact all of my host families are Baha’i and were most welcoming. There is no doubt they live one of their religious beliefs ... to be in service. Hearing about all the service work each person does is very inspirational. I feel right at home. I knew nothing about the Baha'i Faith before this trip. When in India many years ago, my son and I visited the Baha'i Temple there as many tourists do. I had worked in the north of India in the Tibetan community but work with people from many diverse religions.

A trip such as this reminds me why The Pink Kit is so important in my life and why I’ve been willing to persistent for so many years as this new concept (universal childbirth skills for women and birth coaching skills for her support) grows. Have you ever been told that expectant parents should teach themselves a set of childbirth skills that will suit absolutely every birth including cesearans?

Well, the women in this village like every where in the world were taught nothing by their mothers about how-to give birth.

In fact, the women in the village were a bit perplexed as to why anyone needed to prepare for birth.

Before I head down this path, let me tell you a little about this village. I never carry a camera and many women in Pakistan do not wish to be photographed. How does no tree or green sound to you? What about a path through the village wide enough for a small car but we’re the only car in the village weaving between charpoys (BEDS) that line the narrow streets. Imagine no garbage collection at all (not even in urban Karachi). In fact, there is no garbage collected anywhere in Pakistan. But cows as found in India are absent so garbage rots and plastic maintains.

Children are everywhere, dressed in rags. I forgot to tell you that this village is known for two things: children beggars and chickens. The women sell chickens and the children beg. The village is tribal Hindu with their own beautiful ethnic clothing. The men wear a simple long over garment and pants but the women wear bright dresses over pants, heavily embroidered and beaded.

The unmarried girls wear an over dress that hangs straight from the shoulders down, but the married women’s over dress have built in ‘breast areas’ that are part of the design. All the women wear lots of bangles and lots of earrings. Incredibly beautiful women, tiny and strong as the dry desert is strong.

visit:
http://www.commonknowledgetrust.com
http://www.birthingbetter.com
http://www.thepinkkit.com