Women Wide Awake

Women Wide Awake is a collection of stories, poems, and visual art exploring folklore from the region of Sindh, Pakistan. This multi-genre book features stories of women, witches, sea monsters, and mystical saints, accompanied by art and poetry. Collectively they explore themes that have resonated with people for centuries — acts of courage, strength, defiance, and love. Two sisters build a labyrinthine palace to test their suitors…a woman swims across a treacherous river at night to meet her forbidden lover…a bartendress makes a grave mistake. These folktales have persisted across generations and national boundaries through ritual storytelling and song. The sculptures were created using reclaimed materials: sari fabric, wedding invitations, flowers, shells, and animal bones.

Women Wide Awake: Sculptures, Stories and Poems from Sindhi Folklore was published in 2023 by Mawenzi House Publishers. It can be purchased here.

This project was generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts Research & Creation Grant, as well as the City of Mississauga Microgrant and the City of Ottawa