KARACHI: The weather’s turning chilly lately makes even that little fire started by some guards, or chowkidaars, by putting together pieces of wood from broken crates near their posts to stay warm so inviting. They may be gathered around it for unwinding on a lazy evening chat or to enjoy a cup of tea but you only see this during the winter.

You may have also heard of campfires where campers gather some dried twigs or tree branches to light a little fire outside, in the middle ground, surrounded by their tents. Most of the time it is to sit around to stay warm and share stories. But it is also for warming or cooking meals and to roast marshmallows.

There is also a tradition in places in our country where the mercury level is really known to drop to line a big warm blanket around a heater and sit around it sipping tea and listening to what everyone has to say. It may be your grandfather telling you about his childhood or maybe it is something someone has on their mind which they want to talk about or discuss with others there, but it is a good way of socialising too.

The name may be different but mach kachehri is a similar kind of thing which is a tradition in Sindh, especially Thar desert where as in all deserts the nights are extremely cold.

The Thar desert is a common place for this kind of activity. They spread out woven mats on the ground leaving a central spot empty where they have placed thick logs for the machh kacheri. The logs are then used to burn a fire as the guests start arriving to find a place around it. A village elder may kick off the conversation by introducing himself followed by whatever he has to say.

There are people who come to a mach kachehri to highlight their problems and issues. Some also share an idea which they think may solve the issue of water shortage, or maybe it is a business idea which can supplement the incomes of many homes there which someone would like to share in the gathering to know what the others think about it.

Then when they are all tired of talking there are also little breaks around the crackling fire where they can listen to music because some have brought with them their musical instruments to play classical tunes or maybe even to play a new composition to see how the others like it. There are also poetry recitals or songs sung. And when they are tired of just sitting around and listening, it is time to stand up and stretch one’s legs. This they do by dancing around the fire and cheering one another.

As the wood is eaten away by the fire the evening also reaches culmination with goodbyes and promises to do it again soon, which may even be the next day. But one thing is sure. They won’t leave the fire burning. It is put out by water too but usually desert sand from the ground itself is thrown over it to put it out just so there are no accidents. Of course, there isn’t a chance of its spreading in the desert but in areas where there is a lot of forestation leaving the small fire burning can turn into a big forest fire.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2019