Events / Announced annually
Sindh
Sheedi Mela (Manghopir Festival)
Karachi's Afro-Pakistani Sheedi community festival at Manghopir, drumming, devotion, and the shrine's sacred crocodiles.
The Sheedi Mela at the Manghopir shrine in Karachi is a distinctive Afro-Pakistani celebration of drumming, devotional ritual, dance, and the veneration of the shrine's sacred crocodiles, expressing a unique African-rooted strand of Pakistani identity.
- Sheedi (Afro-Pakistani) culture
- Drumming & dhamal
- Sacred crocodiles
- Manghopir shrine
- Community-announced
- When to plan
- Community-announced dates, traditionally in summer; confirm locally before travel.
- Getting there
- Manghopir is on the northern edge of Karachi, reachable by road with a local guide.
- Region
- Sindh guide →
A unique heritage
The Sheedi community traces African roots, and the Manghopir mela, with its drums, dance, and crocodile rituals, is one of the most distinctive cultural events in Pakistan.
Visiting respectfully
This is a living community festival. Go with a local guide, ask before photographing rituals, and approach the shrine and its customs with care.
More in Sindh
Region guide →
Sha'ban (variable)
Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Sehwan Sharif's great Sufi festival, three days of dhamaal drumming and devotion at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.
Safar (variable)
Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai
Bhit Shah's three-day Sufi festival honouring Sindh's greatest poet, nights of raag, the Shah Jo Risalo sung at his shrine.
January - February
Sindh Festival
A celebration of Sindhi heritage, crafts, music, and performances at historic sites including Moenjodaro.
