Fatalistic: The Land of Sufi and Allah Jey Likhay Khay

Abstract

Flood has been noted as one of the major natural disaster contributors in the world causing huge suffering to human beings. Majority of flood victims link natural disaster to an act of God, whereas God is punishing human beings because of sins committed by individuals. However, Pakistani society, which is deeply intertwined with religion, hence, its flood related narratives must have impact on its flood experiences. Since present research participants are Kacha farmers from Sindh, province of Pakistan and they are prone to flooding. Thus, present research investigated flood narratives impacted by religious beliefs. This research study employed qualitative research methodology and recorded flood narratives of 31 research participants. This research design is appropriated for current research and subsequently a thematic analysis was performed. The key finding noted that Kacha farmers strongly believein Sufism, hence they supposed that they are protected by Sufi saints, whose tombs are near flood site. Moreover, they also viewed that floods are God’s wrath upon those individuals who have committed sins and must be punished. These flood narratives contradict with modern flood hazard management practices in the developed countries who firmly argue that any flood disaster is subjected to human act and thus concerned people are accountable. This is sharp contrast with the present finding where Kacha farmers link natural disasters to act of God thus, all related officials and individuals absolve themselves from accountability about flood related management decisions.