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NAZARMATAY; A Ray OF Hope (Guard against evil eye)
by Haroon Shinwari
There are many problems which are solved by the ingenuity of human beings. From the very beginning, man is fighting against nature .It is a great duel. Modern man, no doubt is successful against nature in many battles but there are many instances where logic and science completely fail to secure him. He is then left with the only option to seek refuge in supernatural things.
Pukhtuns are no different in this regard, but they have their own peculiar way of viewing and observing the supernatural. Pukhtuns culture has many devices to help the seriously ill. They have their unique cures for their equally unique problems. They are by nature vigilant and resilient, always fighting and looking ahead for better days. They would contrive the solutions of their problems both scientifically and traditionally, knowing well the importance of both. It is true that that by nature they are reluctant to adopt new ways but it is also true that they know well which new way leads to success and which one to utter chaos. You can see a pakhtun patient of hepatitis going to Islamababd to see a renowned doctor and at the same time, going to ‘Gardi Gaus’ for pilgrimage in Afghanistan, near Jalalabad , which is famous for the cure of hepatitis. Resilience is the hallmark of a Pakhtoon character and how beautifully Hamza baba has talked about it.
BRAND KA HAWADIS DEE DA WAKHTOONO PA KAKO KAY
ZA BA HOSLA HUM PUKHTANA WARTA PAIDA KRAM
Translation: If troubles, in the eyes of time, are here to frighten me
No matter, with Pakhtoon courage, I will face them.
Even when the doctor tells him that his disease has gone out of control and death is approaching fast, he refuses to accept it. From here, he usually turns toward supernatural and unique devices of his culture, One such amazing cure, among others, is’ Nazarmaty’( cure againt an evil eye ) It guards and protects against evil eye , malevolent look, which is believed to cause harm to the lucky and beautiful people, buildings, vehicles, ornaments, children, utensils, animals and everything which seems conspicuous, attractive and eye catching. It is not a myth only but a conscious effort to fend it off. It simply is defined as a glance thought to have the power to inflict harm. Perhaps one may see no logic behind Nazarmaty but what is logic after all? Everybody has its own meaning and interpretation regarding logic, in fact it is the desire which works behind the logic. Every one clothes his own desire in the dress of logic. Superstition may be considered as the spelling heel of the Pakhtuns and whatever mat be said about Nazarmaty, Pakhtoons have been observing it since ancient times. It reminded a part of the life and thoughts of their forefathers.
There is no single way of observing Nazarmaty. Different areas of Pakhtunkhwa have their own ways of following it. In the mesmerizingly beautiful Swat valley, brassica put in fire and when smoke is produced from it, the evil power of the evil eye is thought to have been defeated. In the tribal areas of Pakistan , they have their own unique pattern regarding the observance of Nazarmaty. Here in a very interesting process, the used water of Hubbell bubble ( what is hubble bubble) is dropped on the thresholds of houses and shops to save them from evil glance. Another exceptional technique is to wrap up different old pieces of clothes around a steel made stick and to burn them on the top of the roof. Yet another incredible procedure is to gather dry leaves and branches and put them into a bowl full of water. It is heated from underneath till it starts boiling, and then coins are dropped in the bowl by the people. Coins are dropped into a bowl according to the financial position of the person who wants to save himself/herself from the evil eye. After putting coins, the bowl is then taken into the courtyard, usually by a female member of the family. When it is dropped on the ground, children at once jump to collect the coins as many as they can. It serves as an extremely happy occasion for the children of the village, they keenly wait for it.
‘Spalanay’ a kind of shrub plays an important role in the process of observing Nazarmaty. Spalanay is wild plant which has no proper cultivation. Perhaps it may not be so important in others parts of the world but in Pakhtunkhwa it has a role to play. It has become a part of culture and literature. Pashto writers and poets always refer to it in their works. When Spalanay burns, it gives out a pleasant odor and produces smoke thus through it, the cessation of evil eye is achieved. This method of observing Nazarmaty has slowly and gradually developed to such a level that today it is the sole source of income for many poor families. Every morning one can see many small children, boys and girls, visiting shops, offices, workshops, cinemas, clinics, and other such places with Spalany and specially made bowl for burning Spalany. After the production of smoke, shopkeepers and others pay them one or two rupees for the service.
Another interesting thing about Nazarmaty is the singing of a special song. This song is sung again and again. With the repetition of this song or one line of it, a mysterious environment is created. Great and celebrated English poet and dramatist T.S Elliot has made good use of this process of repetition in his drama” Murder in the cathedral”. This process of monotonous repetition is also found in Hindu Mantars where some strange words are repeated forcefully again and again and thus creating a very mysterious environment.
PA ASMAN KAY DA MARGANO
PA DARYAB KAY DA MAYANO
DA SHNO STARGO
DA TOR STARGO
DA WARRO AO DA GATO
DA LANDO AO DA OUGDO
DA DOST AO DUSHMAN NAZARMAAT MAAT MAAT…
Of birds in the sky,
Of fish in the sea,
Of people with blue eyes,
Of people with black eyes,
Of small and big,
Of short and long,
Of friends and enemies,
May the effect of evil eye go-go
Pakhtoons in order to save their newly built houses, newly bought vehicles or animals, from evil eye, hoist a piece of black cloth or flag on the main entrance or walls of the houses. In some areas, horns of dead animals, usually bullocks are also used. To repulse the evil eye, some use dead crow or other birds of black colour. All the devices used for the observance of Nazarmatay lead us to yet another interesting phenomenon that fire and black color, play an interesting role in the whole drama. The use of black color is very symbolic. White color is an expression of dawn and hope while black is taken as a symbol of dusk, darkness and grief. Man has always been afraid of darkness. Even now we frighten our children from darkness. We wear black dress in the time of sorrow and wear bright dress on happy occasions. Crimes are rampant in the darkness of night. The same subject has been expressed profoundly by Hamza Baba,a great sufi Pashto poet popularly known as Baba-e-Pashto Gazal (the father of Pashto gazal);
Da Za Che Wyara Da Tayaro Na Kawom
Da May Garaz Day Che Ranra Gwaram
(I fear darkness on purpose so that,
I may go out to seek light)
One may become victim of an evil eye intentionally or unintentionally. Some people, as in hypnotism, knowing the power of their eyes, intentionally harm others while some may harm unintentionally. But some people are masters of this art. They know the power of their looks. Hamza baba says;
Pray Watay Pray Nazar Da Haga Shokho Stargo Day
Hamza ta chay Razay Da Spailano Sara Raza
(You have been victimized by the same beautiful eyes.
O! Whenever come to Hamza, take some Spailanay with you)
All societies have developed such customs, folk ways and beliefs. Sometime these beliefs appear to be just fantasies but sometimes their authenticity is beyond doubt. These may seem to others as irrational but irrationality should not be overviewed. They are not invented deliberately for vested interests but have evolved gradually over the centuries. Nazarmatay is one such custom which has unconsciously been fully assimilated by our people. It is a ray of hope for many disappointed souls. It has tremendous effect. If you have belief in it, it is going to work for you. If you don’t have such belief, it would not work. Perhaps an enlightened modern man may not accept its veracity but surely it has its own wonderful and subtle world. Science is devoid of feelings and emotions. Nazarmatay explains what science cannot explain. It gazes at a metaphysical world where science cannot peep. A renowned British Philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote in a letter to his friend,
“I am going to the country to live alone. What has Physics given to humanity? It stops at a certain place and what is the use of Physiology? It also stops leaving the man in the cobweb of uncertainty. Knowledge is a myth. It cannot help us completely”.
So primitive man has come out with his own solutions. And what solutions? It fills the heart with hope and pleasure. Don’t call it ignorance. For what is knowledge? A vehicle, which does not take us to destination. It always drops us in the midway.
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