A Scholar of Sindhi Proverbs

Feature Article | Folklore & Language

THE PREMISE

“ Wahab Sahito is among the foremost contemporary scholars of Sindhi proverbial literature. Blending technical precision with literary scholarship, he has authored, edited, and compiled numerous books on Sindhi proverbs, folklore, and language, making an enduring contribution to the preservation of Sindh’s cultural heritage. ”

An engineer by education and a literary scholar by vocation, Abdul Wahab Sahito has devoted his life to preserving Sindhi proverbs, sayings, folklore, and cultural memory through meticulous research and publication.

Engineer Abdul Wahab Sahito is one of the foremost contemporary researchers and writers dedicated to the study, preservation, and interpretation of Sindhi proverbs, sayings, and folklore. Combining the analytical discipline of an engineer with the curiosity of a literary scholar, he has spent decades documenting one of the richest oral traditions of Sindh. His work has become an indispensable resource for students, researchers, linguists, and lovers of Sindhi literature.

A portrait of Abdul Wahab Sahito, celebrated for preserving Sindhi proverbs, folklore, and cultural heritage through meticulous research and publication.

Engineer and Scholar

Born on 5 May 1959 in Jam Noor Allah village, Kandiaro Taluka (then Nawabshah District, now in Naushahro Feroze District), Sindh, Abdul Wahab Sahito is the son of Muhammad Bachal Sahito. His academic journey reflects an unusual blend of science and the humanities. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in 1984, followed by a Master’s degree in Sindhi from Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, in 1993. This rare combination of technical and literary education has greatly influenced his meticulous approach to research and documentation.

Science Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) Mehran University of Engineering and Technology 1984

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Humanities Master’s in Sindhi Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur 1993

Professionally, Sahito has devoted much of his career to education. He has served as Principal of Larkana Grammar School in Larkana, where he has contributed to the intellectual development of countless students.

Reading, collecting, and preserving books have remained lifelong passions. His literary interests encompass the Seerah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Sindhi proverbs and sayings, short stories, essays, and Shah Jo Risalo, the timeless poetic masterpiece of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. These interests have profoundly shaped both his creative and scholarly writing.

From Fiction to Folklore

Sahito began his literary career as a fiction writer. His early collections of short stories—Hiras (1989), Jadhan But Ee Chaway Kafir (1992), and Hath Ji Wadhee (1999)—demonstrated his ability to portray the complexities of Sindhi society through compelling narratives. However, it was his transition to folklore and linguistic research that established his lasting reputation.

Over more than two decades, he has emerged as one of Sindh’s leading authorities on Sindhi proverbs and sayings (pahaka and chawniyun). His research extends far beyond simple compilation. He has systematically explored the origins, classifications, regional variations, cultural meanings, and literary functions of proverbs across different parts of Sindh and neighboring linguistic traditions.

Two words at the heart of his work

پهاڪو · پهاڪاpahako · pahaka

noun · a proverb; plural pahaka, proverbsA traditional saying that carries a lesson, often born of a story, an event or a character remembered by the community.

چوڻي · چوڻيونchawni · chawniyun

noun · a saying; plural chawniyun, sayingsA common expression or idiom of everyday speech, used to make a point vividly and briefly.

A Library of Proverbs

His major research works include Nandri Roop Wara Chawniyun and Pahaka (2002), Warjaisoon: Pasmanzar and Karaj (2003), Mauzoon Aakhaniun Te Mushtamil Pahaka and Chawniyun (2004), Utradi Pahaka and Chawniyun (2006), Lari Pahaka and Chawniyun (2015), Maaghaen Makanan Ji Nalan Te Mushtamil Pahaka and Chawniyun (2016), Tibbi Pahaka and Chawniyun (2016), Tharee Pahaka and Chawniyun (2017), Ghaaghar Munjh Saagar—a collection of Hindko proverbs (2018), Naseehat Amooz Aakhaniun Wara Pahaka (2019), and Pahari Aakhan (2020). Together, these books represent one of the most comprehensive modern studies of proverbial literature produced in Sindhi.

Proverbs across the map

UtradiNorthern Sindh2006

LariLar, southern Sindh2015

Place namesProverbs naming towns and places2016

ThareeThe Thar desert2017

HindkoA neighbouring language2018

Alongside these: separate volumes on proverbs of medicine, and on proverbs rooted in stories and moral tales.

Alongside his original research, Sahito has made significant contributions as an editor and compiler. He has edited and compiled important literary works such as Abdul Karim Gadai: Riwayat Ain Baghawat Jo Shaair (2006), Gul Shakar (2011), Tanqeedoon Ain Tajziya by Professor Nazir Ahmed Soomro (2013), Mohiyo Moon Khe Jin (2015), Pahakan Ain Chawniyun Babat Tanqeedi Mazameen (2015), Gothhano Gurr (2015), Choond Sindhi Chawniyun (2017), Pahakan Ain Chawniyun Babat Maqala Ain Mazameen (2017), Pahakan Ji Paboh (2018), Shah Ji Shaairi Jo Pahakati Pehlu (2018), Shah Ji Shaairi Mein Istilahi Ansar (2021), and Sokhri Galhiyun Ji (2021). These editorial efforts have preserved important scholarship and made valuable literary resources accessible to new generations of readers.

Proverbs function not merely as expressions but as repositories of history, philosophy, ethics, humour and collective memory.

A Custodian of Everyday Speech

Engineer Abdul Wahab Sahito occupies a distinctive place in contemporary Sindhi letters. While many writers focus on creative literature, he has dedicated himself to safeguarding the linguistic and cultural heritage embedded in everyday speech. His books reveal how proverbs function not merely as expressions but as repositories of history, philosophy, ethics, humour, and collective memory.

Through decades of patient scholarship, meticulous research, and unwavering commitment to Sindhi language and culture, Engineer Abdul Wahab Sahito has established himself as one of the leading custodians of Sindh’s proverbial tradition. His work ensures that this invaluable heritage continues to educate, inspire, and enrich future generations.

Feature Article | Folklore & Language
Sindhi proverbs, folklore and the preservation of language

Editorial Note

This profile is based primarily on the biographical information and bibliography provided by Engineer Abdul Wahab Sahito and verified through Sindhi literary sources. English transliterations of Sindhi book titles have been retained for readability and may vary slightly from other published transliterations. Publication years and academic details follow the author’s own documented record.

References and further study

Sahito, Abdul Wahab. Tharee Pahaka and Chawniyun [Thari Proverbs and Sayings]. Kambar: Dr. Muhabbat Academy, 2017.

Sahito, Abdul Wahab. Maaghaen Makanan Ji Nalan Te Mushtamil Pahaka and Chawniyun [Proverbs and Sayings Containing the Names of Places]. Kambar: Dr. Muhabbat Academy, 2016.

Sahito, Abdul Wahab. Ghaaghar Munjh Saagar [Proverbs and Sayings of the Hindko Language]. Kambar: Dr. Muhabbat Academy, 2018.

Hathiramani, Tirathdas Pessumal. Pahakan Ji Paboh. Revised and explained by Abdul Wahab Sahito. Kambar: Dr. Muhabbat Academy, 2018.

Ahuja, Janjey Lal D. “Tair.” Gothhano Gurr [Countryside Sweet: Sayings and Proverbs]. With Abdul Wahab Sahito. Kambar: Dr. Muhabbat Academy, 2015.