Ho Jamalo
{{Short description|Folk song and associated dance in the Sindhi culture}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Culture of Sindh}}
"Ho Jamalo" is a Sindhi-language folk song and associated dance in the Sindhi culture. The performance is about the local folk hero Jamalo. It is sung in chorus to the rhythm created by the clapping of the hands apart from musical instruments. Its composition is simple and is intelligible to every Sindhi. The word 'Jamalo' is derived from the Arabic word Jamal which means beauty.{{cite book |last1=Allana |first1=Dr. Ghulam Ali |title=Folk Music Of Sind |date=1982 |publisher=Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh |page=70}} The dance is performed as part of a victory or celebration. Though it originated in Sindh, it is popular throughout Pakistan as well as the Sindhi Hindus in India. {{cite book |last1=Ember |first1=Melvin |title=Countries and their cultures |date=2001 |publisher=Macmillan Reference USA |location=New York |isbn=9780028649504 |page=1701}}
A Punjabi rendition of the song was performed by Ali Sethi and Humaira Arshad in season 11 of Coke Studio Pakistan.{{cite news|url=https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/10/30/coke-studio-season-11-from-the-highs-of-shikwa-to-the-slumps-of-ko-ko-korina/|title=Coke Studio Season 11: From the highs of 'Shikwa' to the slumps of 'Ko Ko Korina'|work=Pakistan Today|date=30 October 2018|accessdate=13 May 2022|first=Saman|last=Shafiq}}
History of Ho Jamalo
There are several versions of the history of Ho Jamalo.
According to one origin story, during British colonial rule, Jamalo Sheedi, a death-row prisoner in Sukkur, volunteered to test-drive a train across the newly constructed Sukkur Bridge (Lansdowne Bridge) in exchange for his freedom. His successful crossing led to his pardon, and in jubilation, his relatives composed the song with the refrain "Ho Jamalo, Wah Wah Jamalo."{{cite web |title=
Jamalo Sheedi’s ‘Ho Jamalo, Wah Wah Jamalo’ |url=https://sindhnews.com.pk/jamalo-sheedis-ho-jamalo-wah-wah-jamalo |website=sindhnews.com.pk |language=en |date=27 April 2022}}
Another story goes that a fierce battle was fought somewhere in upper Sindh and the dwellers of the area were facing extreme challenges against the invaders. At this juncture, a man named Jamal, who was very brave and courageous, led a small army to fight against the invaders. There was a fierce and bloody encounter and he emerged victorious. When he came home within sight of their settlement, the women of the area came out singing: ‘Ho Jamalo, khati aayo khair saan.’ Translation: Oh great Jamalo, you have come victorious without facing any loss.{{cite web |title=Ho Jamalo |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1433223 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |date=16 September 2018}}