GOALS

Mastering the art of learning.
Developing a sustainable platform for students to learn diverse fields.
Establishing a network of facilitators to help learners in their fields of interest.
Creating a dynamic educational environment for students to learn, and relearn different theories, and find practical live examples.

PROJECTS

Dissecting Folklore
Logic riddles
memeify
crash course

Take part in our online competitions and get chances to win prizes!

Dissecting Stories is a writing competition aimed at polishing students' critical thinking and research abilities while also improving their writing skills.

We're surrounded by folklore that we consider not much more than bedtime stories, however in reality, these folk stories have social aspects embedded in them that can help us better understand the ways of our forefathers.

Click on the attached prompt that will help you better understand how to critically analyze a story. Then choose a folk story of your own liking and try to analyze it yourself!

Spend time with your grandparents and parents as your research, after all, they have their expertise!

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Note: Try to keep a 2:3 ratio between the narration and the analysis.
Deadline for submission: 15th May 2020
Email your submissions and queries to: [email protected]

story prompt

Story Reference

“It was a cold winter night and I was watering my fields. After getting done with my work, I moved towards my home. Midway through, I noticed a woman following me, she was known to be a Bilas. As she approached me with ferocious speed and blood in her eyes, I knew that she would finish me (literally eat me). The only way to save myself was to beat her to death, as I was told by my ancestors, and so I did.” (Anonymous)

“The two (man and Danglatas, another supernatural creature) began to wrestle and [he] threw her, there was a dagger at his waist and when he had thrown her he smote her on the breast with it” (Lorimer)

Analysis

This is a generic Bilas/Danglatas story from the folklore of Hunza. Bilas/Danglatas does not have an equivalent translation in English, but she can be described as a witch, born with this curse, as opposed to traditional witches who gain this status by practicing dark magic. In folklore, women are represented in a passive or supporting role to the male protagonist, however, the rebellious female historic characters are usually depicted as evil. Folklore is replete with such power relation and stereotypes that manifest in gender (Shieikh). Although no one can comment on whether these events had any supernatural aspect to them, we can be confident that some people would have taken advantage of this custom to exploit women and inflict revenge on any individual or family. Branding a woman as Bilas/Danglatas would have been an easy way of suppressing her who would have been outspoken about the stereotypical realities of the old times.

References/Bibliography

Sheikh, Ayub, “The more than beautiful women – African folktales of female agency and emancipation”, Empowering women for gender equity Volume XXXII 2018 Issue 4

Lorimer, “The Burushaski Language” Volume-II, Story No. X*

Team Members

Tauqeer

Hey there, I am a Management Science student at LUMS. I'm interested in entrepreneurship and teaching, and always hope to learn something new from every experience.

Aezaz

Hey, I'm a computer science student at LUMS. I'm as fond of arts, music and mythologies as I'm geeky about computers and technology.
Also, The Office > F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Karim

Hi! Currently pursuing my bachelors in Law at LUMS, I have a profound passion for community service and have been associated with a number of youth-led organisations.

Mishal

Hi! I'm pursuing Mechanical Engineering at University of Florida. If I am not traveling, thinking or doing anthropology, I am most likely checking memes or explaining how “The Matrix” is a documentary about future.

Tasneem

Hello! I am a third year Economics student at LUMS also on the varsity volleyball team. I find sports, music and photography particularly fascinating.

Hussain

Hello, I am a student of Economics and Politics at LUMS. Studying Marxism and playing badminton is what I have been doing lately.
I look forward to giving back to the society I have received so much from.

Arshey

Hola! I am passionate about exploring human biology and its intersectionality with social sciences. I love contemporary dance and community service! I am currently enrolled at LUMS.

Inara

Hello, I am currently pursuing computer science at LUMS. I have a keen interest in learning about different cultures and their social aspects.

Khadija

Hi! I am studying law at LUMS. My ultimate aim is to become a lawyer as well as pursue a career as a philanthropist to serve my community. I am passionate about music and sports

Noor-ul-Ain

Hey there, I am an undergrad at LUMS. I enjoy the process of creating something new, be it a painting or a literary piece. I also like to take my time out for community service.

Put on your logician's hat and answer the riddles to win prizes!
These riddles require some thinking and are aimed at challenging students to spend time exploring what possible solutions can be. Unlike riddles that rely on wordplay, getting to the solutions of these riddles need mapping out the scenarios and analyzing them.

New riddles are out every Tuesday and Thursday

Click on the image to access the riddles

More coming soon

Please stay tuned for more details!
Until then, stay safe!