The Flying Man, A Parya Story
Text by Fred Daudon
Said-Qausulazam
The legend says that Said-Qausulazam saw a man flying over his land. He shot him down with one of his shoes . The shoes bring back the man to Said-Qausulazam. Said-Qausulazam asked him: What are you doing in the sky? The guy answered « the king’s son has a disease which can only be cured with water. » Said-Qausulazam gave him a pipe and said: « rub the pipe during a week and it will become gold and then you will have water inside. The king’s son will survive if he drinks this water.» The guy went back to the King and tell him the story. They did as Said-Qausulazam said and the king’s son recovered. The king who was afraid by such a magical power sent some poison to Said-Qausulazam with other gifts and fruits. Said-Qausulazam drank the poison but he did not die.
There are other legends about Said-Qausulazam. He can be considered as the guardian of the Parya.
KArAI
The Parya are mostly Sunni Hanafi but they follow a specific tradition which is called Karai. They ask and pray Said-Qausulazam’s help for very important matters (such as fertility for example) and only if the traditional prayers did not work.
In 2016, 3 people did a Karai.
They pray Said-Qausulazam and if what they asked is granted, they invite the entire neighborhood for a gathering and provide food for everyone.
Karai was not open to foreigners until one day during which they invited an Uzbek man. This man laughed at them when he assisted to the ceremony saying it was idolatry and not conformed to Muslim customs. The earth started quaking and the Uzbek man asked to forgive him and then the earthquake stopped.
RELIGION
For Parya, the most important and holy people are: Muhammad and Said-Qausulazam. Mirzoabdulgodiri Geloni is also important recognized as a holy, wise, close friend of Allah. He is not a pir though.
Except Karai, they do not have an important celebration, they just follow strictly the muslim calendar.
Women
When a woman wears a top which does not enough cover up her breast, she should cover it up with her hands.
– Weddings: Parya people have a traditional law that they apply for a long time, they can only marry Parya people. In 21st century, they have broke the law. Nowadays intercultural weddings are alllowed. If they are not Muslims, they will have however to convert first.
The number of wives you can marry depends on your money. If you can afford their spendings, you can marry two wives.
AFGONOBOD VILLAGE
This village is located near Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Most of the Parya live in between Dushanbe and the Uzbek border in the following villages: Kalischisor, Boloikaval, Pradavastoch, Fahirsbach, Gotchak, Halaman, Rochsateppa, Shivanar. Some of them are living on the other side of the border in Uzbekistan.
They all speak the same language, but different dialects (maybe 10% is different but they understand each other).
53 families live in Afgonobod. In total they are around 3,500 – 4,000 people living in Tajikistan.
Mr Mayor
Each village has a leader who is elected, he represents Parya to maitain good relationships with Uzbek and Tajik people