Sindhi literature carries a rich tradition of travelogues, where writers have not only painted sceneries but connected their journeys with education, observation, and social comparisons
Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
Travel, in its very essence, is a conscious experience. It is not merely the act of covering geographical distance, but a process of expanding the mind and bringing profound transformations within the soul. When a person steps outside the circle of familiar habits and close relations and enters a new place to meet new people, psychological windows and doors open that can never be unlocked by bookish knowledge or passive observation at home. In Sindhi literature, the travelogue is one of the finest and most intellectual genres that reflects this very learning and transformation.
The Intellectual Tradition of the Sindhi Travelogue
Sindhi literature carries a rich tradition of travelogues, where writers have not only painted sceneries but connected their journeys with education, observation, and social comparisons. From Shah Abdul Latif’s poetic mentions of “journeys” to the modern-day authors, this genre has been given intellectual, aesthetic, and thoughtful dimensions.
For example, Altaf Shaikh, the traveler of sea by days and nights, who, during his service on ships, recorded the social attitudes and affections of people across the world. His travelogues demonstrate that the foundation of humanity is not race or language, but companionship and empathy.
Dr. Tanveer Abbasi, in his travelogue of China, made national integrity the central focus of his thought. He does not merely describe temples or cities, but explains how the hard work and honesty of the people became the foundation of their progress.
Jamal Abro, while writing about his travels in Europe, focused his gaze on the preservation of cultural heritage and civic discipline among the people. His writing raises an important question for the Sindhi reader: how do we preserve our heritage and cultivate social order at home?
A good travelogue always connects two worlds: the outer world (historical sites, roads, and architecture) and the inner world (human values, behaviors, and philosophies of life). It is this inner world that elevates the travelogue beyond mere description into intellectual literature.
The Psychological Lessons of Meeting New People
Encounters with strangers and unfamiliar people during travel leave deep and positive effects on our inner psychology. These experiences broaden our personal consciousness.
Moreover, when we travel beyond our homeland, we are freed from the “labels” of social identity. In such spaces, your name, profession, or social status are not what define you. People meet you simply as a human being. This experience allows one to discover one’s authentic self, to ask, who am I, when my family or social status does not define me?
Another moment comes when you hear the simple story of a waiter or a taxi driver in a foreign city. You realize that everywhere in the world, people face the same joys, sorrows, and pressures of life. This realization nurtures a universal human empathy within us and dissolves the belief that our problems are the greatest and most unique.
Perhaps the most delightful truth of travel is that before traveling, we often carry prejudices or misconceptions about other cultures. But when we truly meet the people, see their gentleness and human warmth up close, those biases naturally dissolve. This experience reshapes the worldview of the travel writer as well, teaching them to see the world with a wider perspective.
The Global Tradition and Returning Home
Sindhi travelogues are part of a global tradition that began with great travelers like Ibn Battuta. In the fourteenth century, Ibn Battuta traveled across many regions of the world, including Sindh, and recorded not just geographical conditions but also the culture, customs, and psychology of the people he met.
Sindhi travel writers have followed the same approach, using their observations for meaningful purposes. For instance, when Jamal Abro saw Europeans protecting their heritage, he conveyed to Sindhi readers the awareness that Sindh too must safeguard its ancient heritage and magnificent monuments.
After witnessing the knowledge and social attitudes gained through travel, a good travel writer compels readers to ask: can we also bring such reform to our own society, the reform the writer saw in the world and shared in the travelogue?
In truth, the travelogue is proof that the world is an open book, and its chapters are other people. The greatest gift of travel is that it teaches us that the world is vast, and humanity is greater still.
Read: Japanese Wisdom for a Meaningful Life
____________________
Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
