PESHAWAR: The traditional slingshot called ‘Leenda’ in local dialect is still an important tool for farmers in remote villages of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata to drive away flocks of grain-devouring birds from damaging the standing crops.

The famous Dabgari Bazaar enjoys a thriving season of colourful traditional slingshots, now available in different designs and patterns. They are in great demand among the farmers growing various crops in the far-flung villages.

Used as an effective weapon, the wooden slingshots have been a popular fascination since old days. Children and teenagers in villages and towns can still be seen hanging slingshot around their necks as they shoot down birds with it for their hunting treat.

There are seven to 10 stores of slingshots in Dabgari Bazaar where about 20 artisans polish and design the colourful slingshots. The newly imported china made slingshots available in the market is replacing the traditional slingshots with a slow pace.

Shopkeeper says people prefer imported slingshots to traditional ones

Some believe that the imported slingshots, if gained popularity among the buyers, will prove harmful for local business and also it would be the end of local art. Niamat Khan, 80, a resident of Charsadda, told this scribe that the slingshots reminded him of his childhood days.

He said that being a farmer, he would carefully use the slingshots while protecting the crops from the attacking birds. He said that metal pellets would definitely kill the raiding birds and might injure people around the place.

Saleh Jan, a store keeper in Karkhano Market, said that the china made slingshots were intended for professional usage. He said that people under the age of 18 shouldn’t use those slingshots to avoid shooting of animals or even people and damaging public facilities.

He said that its firing accuracy was 100 per cent. He said that farmers preferred the imported slingshots to the traditional ones.

Ikramullah, 33, who runs a store of slingshots in Dabgari Bazaar, said that the sale season of traditional slingshots thrived from January to April. He added that around 25 tons of slingshots sold out during the period.

“Made up of skin strip, wooden frame and rubber, the slingshots are in great demand,” said Ikramullah. He said that his family had been in involved in the slingshots business for the last over 50 years.

He said that after doing masters in international relations from University of Peshawar, he chose slingshots business for himself. “My father runs four stores of slingshots. Buyers from across KP, Fata, parts of Afghanistan, Lahore and interior Sindh come for buying dozens of slingshots,” he added.

Mastan Ali, another slingshots storekeeper, said that farmers bought traditional slingshots just to scare away the pesky birds to protect their crops. He said that in China made slingshots, metal pellets were used that killed the birds and were very dangerous for the environment.

He said that slingshots were earlier handmade but then their frames were made by machines in Charsadda and Peshawar.

He said that triangular wooden slingshots were sold out at Rs10 to Rs400 depending on the quality of wood and decorative patterns.

He said that a dozen of slingshots could be sold out for Rs50 to Rs1,000 again depending on the quality wood and decoration. He said that slingshots made up of olive tree wood were durable and strong.

Rashid Gul, an artisan hailing from Peshawar’s Badbher village, claimed that he was the first to introduce decorative patterns and mosaic on the frames of slingshots. He said that it took him one day to design at least two slingshots.

He added that he had recently sold out a single decorated slingshot for Rs1,000 to a local farmer.

Mr Gul said that slingshots were good tools to get rid of pigeons, sparrows and other birds to protect crops from being damaged. “Making slingshots is an indigenous art and should be saved. Large number of local artisans and dealers are affiliated with slingshots business. With a many village people, slingshots are still a childhood memory to cherish,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2018