Century-Old Sehri Drummer Tradition Nears End in Rawalpindi
By Sadia Khan :
For generations, the pre-dawn hours in Rawalpindi during Ramazan were marked by the rhythmic beating of drums and voices calling out to the faithful: “Rise, those who fast – it is time for sehri.” But this century-old tradition, once a cherished part of the holy month, is now breathing its last.
In the winding streets of the city’s older neighbourhoods, the familiar sound of the sehri drummer is becoming a rarity. As technological advancement and changing social habits reshape urban life, the men who once walked for miles to wake their neighbours are finding themselves increasingly obsolete.
Fareeduddin is one of the last remaining carriers of this tradition. For him, it is a family legacy. “My grandfather and father both carried out this duty every Ramazan,” he told the BBC, having recently completed his rounds in the city. “There are three brothers; two have left the work, and now my own son no longer continues it. I am keeping my forefathers’ mission alive, though it grows increasingly difficult.”
From Lamps to Drums
The practice of waking residents for the pre-fast meal has deep roots in the subcontinent, evolving over centuries. Historians note that some 500 years ago, lamps were lit at elevated points to signal the time for sehri. As soon as the lights appeared, residents would understand it was time to wake.
In later years, groups of men replaced the lamps with empty ghee and cooking oil tins tied around their necks with rope, striking them with small sticks. The practice was regarded both as a virtuous act and a seasonal livelihood.
Tin canisters gradually gave way to drums, and until the early 2000s, numerous groups competed to serve their communities. At its peak, Rawalpindi was home to between 15 and 20 such groups. Residents would welcome the callers and generously reward them on Eid with flour, sugar, tea, rice, or cash as eidi.
A Tradition Under Pressure
Today, only three groups remain and even they may disappear within the next few years. The decline reflects a profound shift in urban life. With the rise of modern technology and social media, many residents no longer sleep until sehri. Instead, they remain awake past midnight, engaged in worship or browsing online platforms. For those who do sleep, mobile phone alarms have replaced the need for a human caller.
Fareeduddin says the reception has turned hostile. “Until 2000, we were appreciated. Now people quarrel with us. On several occasions, my drum has been snatched away and only returned after much pleading, along with warnings not to enter certain streets again.”
Some residents object to the early-morning drumming, arguing that children are asleep, students are studying, and elderly or unwell family members are disturbed a stark contrast to earlier decades when families welcomed the callers.
A Wider Tradition Fading
The practice of signalling sehri and iftar through public announcements is not unique to the subcontinent. In Egypt, the tradition of firing a cannon to mark the time for sehri reportedly began in 1439 and gradually spread across the Arab world. Various methods have evolved over the centuries, each reflecting the customs of its era.
In Punjab, waking residents for sehri remained a seasonal occupation for 70 to 80 years. Now, even the few who continue often receive little or no eidi. For Fareeduddin, the dwindling rewards are a practical concern, but the loss of respect cuts deeper.
“It is a great virtue,” he insists. But he acknowledges that his son’s refusal to carry on the work signals the end of the line.
Residents argue that with scientific progress, there is no longer any need for traditional callers. What was once a cherished communal ritual and a source of seasonal income now stands on the brink of extinction, overtaken by modern life and changing social rhythms.
As Ramazan continues in Rawalpindi, the few remaining drummers make their quiet rounds, their fading calls a poignant echo of a tradition that, after centuries, is finally falling silent.
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