Mochi (Muslim)

The Mochi in rural Punjab is still dependent on the local landlord, who acts as patron.^[2] Often, are paid from each cash crop at the end of the harvesting season according to a system called seypi.^[3] Presently, many Mochis are no longer involved in their traditional occupation of shoemaking. Many are now landless agricultural labourers. Overall, the condition of the Mochi community in Punjab has worsened. There has been a marked shift towards manufactured shoes, which has seen a severe decline in the demand for their traditional skill. Many of their patrons from the locally dominant castes such as the Jats no longer pay the traditional seypi. Unlike in India, the Government of Pakistan has not provided any affirmative actions programmes. As such, the Mochi are one of the most vulnerable ethnic community in Pakistan, and are often victims of societal discrimination. The Muslim Mochi are entirely Sunni and speak Punjabi.^[4]

• Mochi (Hindu)