GLOW WORM

A worm is found in Ziarat District which emits yellowish, greenish light in night. It is found in summer. It can be seen on the walls, plants and tress producing light when one goes out in night. These glow worm is a medium to large sized invertebrate.

These worms produces a green and yellow coloured light on the end of it's tail.  The light is "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. It produces a strong voice in the night. They are harmless to humans.

 

Glow worms resemble to actual worms, but the difference is of its glow in the dark. They have an ability to produce and emit light in the dark biochemically. This process is called bioluminescence. 

Glow worms are nocturnal animals and due to it they are active during the dark night which is when their glowing rears can be seen.

Glow worms are omnivorous animals but they tend to have a very meat-based diet.. Glow worms also prey on other insects and small invertebrates.

Due to their small size and the fact that they glow in the darkness, glow worms have numerous natural predators within their environment including spiders, large insects, birds, reptiles and centipedes.

Their green-lit tails tend to show up most clearly when the sun goes down at dusk.  it is one of the most fascinating phenomena in the nature.. it looks very is beautiful to observe the  glowing bioluminescence in the dark.  

Eremurus stenophyllus an Edible flower plant in Ziarat

Botanical name:      Eremurus stenophyllus

Local name:             Shazhgi

Appearance :           Bright yellow like bottlebrush

Quality :                   Edible plant

DESCRIPTION:

Eremurus stenophyllus ts called "Shazhgi" in Pashto language It grow wildly in the valleys and mountains of Ziarat district. 

It is a seasonal plant and found abundantly in the season of spring. The flower is bright yellow and has unique shape like Bottle brush and is look like long spikes. It is an ornamental plant in many part of the world. In Ziarat when it grows in valleys it gives mesmerizing and stunning scenery.

Shazhgi (Eremurus stenophyllus) is an edible plant. It is  use as a vegetable in Ziarat.  The local people of Ziarat use the whole plant as a vegetable.  Mostly its roots and leaves are used for cooking when it is immature and its leaves are tender. The plant after 15 to 20 days become matured and hard

Various kinds of dishes are prepared. It leaves are cooked as a “SAAG “. It is give very good taste when cooked with meat and pulses. It is very delicious, nourishing and healthy to eat.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Eremurus stenophyllus is a genus of deciduous perennial flowers, also known as the foxtail lilies or desert candles. The inflorescence looks similar to a long spike or a bottlebrush.

It consists of many flowers in copper, bright yellow, snow white, pastel pink, orange or any combination of those colors.

The leaves grow in tufts of thin, green, strap like strips. Species are known for thick roots that grow out from a central hub.

TAZAAN (CICADAS) edible bug

Tazaan is a Pashto name of cicadas, which are the insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). It is also called Taz and Dombo in the other part of Balochistan. In Ziarat district it is famous with the name of "Tazaan" .

It is low-fat, high-protein edible insect  After cooking it become delicious savory dish. Many people eat it with delight. 

Tazaan (Cicadas) have prominent eyes set wide apart, short antennae, and membranous front wings. Cicadas are probably best known for their buzzing and clicking noises. They have an exceptionally loud song, produced not by stridulation, but by vibrating drumlike tymbals rapidly. which can be amplified by multitudes of insects into an overpowering hum. 

These bugs live their lives underground sucking on roots and loading up on all kinds of nutrients that pass through the tree roots. These bugs are protein booster and  are extremely nutritious They give  large amounts of proteins and nutrients  cicadas offer the same amount of protein as beef.

Tazaan (Cicadas)  have been named “the shrimp of the land” due to their taste, prevalence, and appearance. The taste is reminiscent of crawfish or shrimp.

Tazaan (Cicadas) lay dormant in the ground for 13 or 17 years. It come out in late spring to early summer every year and live for a few weeks before laying their eggs and dying. 

In Ziarat Tazaan (Cicadas) emerge in large numbers in the months of May and June when there is it is less rain. Millions of Tazaan (Cicadas) after emerging are found on trees, plants, and fields. local people catch them and collect them in bulk quantity.

Tazaan (Cicadas) usually emerge from the ground during the night. Mostly people collect them early in the morning because Tazaan(Cicadas) can’t fly until their exoskeleton and wings have dried and hardened, so they will climb up higher to hide from predators. People easily collect them with hands. They are not poisonous and they very rarely ever bite.

During the period of Tazaan (Cicadas) People in form of groups go in fields and participate in collecting them. Various tasty dishes are prepared by cooking them which native people eat with passionate.

How people celebrate their Eid in Ziarat

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious occasion celebrated by the Muslims across the world.. Eid ul Fitr is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm and fervor in Ziarat . Eid festivities continue for three days. People enjoyed and spend time in many activities during these days. The Eid activities started from early morning in Ziarat. People wear new dresses and goes to Mosque to offer.Fajar namaz. Special Eid prayer ceremonies are organized in all the mosques. In this regards after Namaz Khutba is narrated by Masjid Imam.  Once the  prayers are over, people scatter around to wish and greet others. They hug and exchange Eid Mubarak wishes with each other.

It is a custom of Ziarat that after offering Fajar Namaz people goes to graveyard. The people in large number visit graveyards to offer Fateha for their late loved ones.

Eid Namaz is held in Eidgah at various places of Ziarat. In small area it is held in mosques. Eid namaz is offered between 8 to 9 am. People gathered in huge number to offer Eid namaz

After Eid namaz a feast is arranged in mosque where all people of village eat together. It is called Dasterkhaan . Village people bring dishes of their choices from home. Some bring tea; some bring dessert like halwa and other sweet dishes.  Some bring rice, some curry, meat, roti and vegetable. .People share dishes with each other and enjoyed the varieties of food. After having feast people head to their homes to spend time in their personal activities.

People visit friends and relatives with their families. They visit every house in the village and ask their good health. The host greets them and serves delicious dishes. Old people and sick people are given moral supports and paid special attention on Eid day.  Elders give Eidy to younger ones. 

Women and girls are adorned with jewelry, bangles, gifts and new dresses on this day. Children go out and have fun with their friends and relatives. Various kinds of games are enjoyed by kids and youngsters. Usually kids play with eggs and youngster with target shooting games

During the Eid days huge number of Tourists from all over Baluchistan and other areas visit to Zia rat. They go for picnic. Mostly people goes to Prospect point, a highest area in Ziarat where vehicle can go and do camping there. They enjoy the serene beauty of nature. Local perform musical programs and do the traditional Pashto dance Atttan on Dhol (drum). They also visit Kharwari Baba shrine.

Eid is an occasion shared by every individual with respect love, concern and care. People socially enjoy and share happiness with each other. The Eid days are known to bring joy and peace in Ziarat.

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