Cultures of Pakistan Essay

Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of mickle, defined by ein truththing from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Culture may be defined as behavior peculiar to human bes, together with material objects used. Culture consists of language, ideas, beliefs, usance, codes, institution, tools, techniques, works of arts, ceremonies and so on. According to Allama Iqbal Culture encompasses all the mental, religious and Physical activities of a Nation. It intromits the basic beliefs and faith, values and literature, art and architecture, music and mode of dress, manners and customs prevalent in a given Society. PAKISTANI nicety IS A ISLAMIC CULTUREPakistan is an ideological Moslem State. Its very existence is due to Islam, so the Pakistani close is primarily based on the Islamic way of life. All other ingredients of culture atomic number 18 inspired by Islam. Pakistani culture is highlighted by its grandeur, simplicity, firm convictions and n oble deeds and ideas. If we study the cultures of Pakistan thither are four different types of cultures at provincial level. They are different from each other in some aspects and similar in some aspects.Punjab bang-up deal Punjabi multitude are very warm hearted and fun loving. Punjabis are heterogeneous group comprising of different tribes, clans, communities and are know to celebrate each and every usance of their culture. Some popular casts of Punjabis are Jats, Maliks, Mughals, Arains, Gujjars, Awans, Rajputs, Gakhars, Khokhars, Sheikhs, Aheers, Kambohs, Niazis, Legharis, Khosas, Dogars, Thaheem, Mirani, Qureshis, and Syeds.Languages Punjabi is the provincial language of Punjab. It is spoken as the first language by majority people in Punjab, rase spoken and understood in areas beyond the confines of Punjab. Facts and figures show that Punjabi language is spoken as first language by 44% of Pakistanis. Urdu language is in like manner normally spoken in this region. Key Punj abi languages/dialects areDresses Costumes of Punjab are an indication of the bright and vibrant culture and lifestyle of the people. The costumes are a mix of colours, relieve and beauty and Punjab is well cognise for the use of phulkari(embroidery) in its costumes. In roughly of the villages of Punjab men pay Pagri(turban), dhoti/lacha, kurta, khusa. Women wear gharara, or choridar pajama or colorful shalwar kameez, paranda, choli/duppata, khusa, kola puri chappal or tillay wali jutti. Whereas in urban areas of Punjab men and women follow latest trends and fashion, generally they wear different styles of shalwar kameez.Cuisine The extensive cuisine of Punjab can be vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Most Punjabi food is eaten with either rice or roti. There are some dishes that are exclusive to Punjab such as Mah Di Dal, Paratha, Makai ki rotti, Saron Da Saag, and in cities Choley, Haleem, Baryani and other spicy dishes are popular. In beve fluffes, tea is consumed in all seasons and as a custom most of Punjabis serve tea to their guests. Punjabis are in addition fond of Zarda, Gulab-Jamuns, Kheer, Jalaibi,Samosy, Pakorey etc. During summers people drink lassi, doodh-soda, aloo bokharey ka sharbat, lemonade etc.Sports Punjabi people have fanatical interest in sports. Punjabis are fond of kabaddi, and wrestling. Other games beingness vie in Punjab region include Gilli-Danda, Khoo-Khoo, Yassu-Panju, Pitho-Garam, Ludo, Chuppan-Chupai, Baraf-Panni, Kanchy and some major sports include cricket, boxing, provide-racing, hockey and football.Cultural Festivals There are numerous festivals which are noted by Punjabi people including some religious festivals such as Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, Jumuah, Laylat-ul-Qadr etc. Urcs (devotional fairs),which are held at the shirnes of sufi saints, Melas and Nomaish (exhibitions). Lahoris are famous all over the untaught for their celebrations particularly for Basant festival (kite flying) in the spring season.Dance and Music Bh angra is most commonly known Punjabi music genre and dance style. Punjabis passionately love household songs/music, Qawali and Punjabi musicis recognized throughout the world. The Tabla, Dhol, Dholki, Chimta, Flute and Sitar are all common instruments of this delightful culture. antithetical figure of speechs of dance in Punjab are Loddi, Dhamal, Sammi, Kikli, Gatka, Bhangra, Giddha and Dandiya.Customs and Rituals Some of the customs followed in Punjab have no foundation in Islam. However, the Punjabi culture has adopted those ceremonies and traditions from Hindu culture.Birth Rituals Punjabis celebrate birth of their child with great enthusiasm. Grandfather or grandmother or some respected elder member from the family puts honey with their index finger in childs mouth called Ghutii. Sweets are distributed among friends and relatives and people bring gifts for the child and mother. Generally on 7thday childs head is shaven and Aqiqa ceremony is held, also sheep/goat is slaughtere d.Punjabi Weddings Punjabi weddings are based on traditions and are conducted with strong reflection of the Punjabi culture followed by several pre-wedding customs and rituals (dholki,mayun,ubtan etc.) Traditional customs and the ceremony generally lasts for 3days, Mehndi, Barat (Nikkah+Ruksati) and Walima, followed by Chauti (bringing the bride back to her parents home the next day).Funeral Rituals At funerals subsequently namaz-e-janaza it is customary to offer lunch to people who came for condolence. On 3rdday of the funeral, Qul is held and every following thursday the Quran is recited (jumah-e-raat) followed by prayers for deceased and after 40days the chaliswaan is held.Literature Punjab is very rich with literature and Sufis adds more in its literature. Punjabi poetry is renowned for its extremely deep meaning, beautiful and hopeful use of words. The large number of Punjabi poetry is being translated throughout the world into umteen languages. Some famous poets of Punjabi a re Sultan Bahu, Mia Mohammad Baksh, Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Anwar Masood etc. Waris Shah, whose contribution to Punjabi literature is best-known for his seminal work in Heer Ranjha, known as Shakespeare ofPunjabi language. Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and a philosopher. The verse from Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi. Some other popular kin group tales of Punjab include Sassi-Punnu, Sohni Mahiwal etc. that are passing through generations.Arts and Crafts Punjab is the major manufacturing industry in Pakistans economy and here each art enjoys a place of its own. The main crafts created in the highlands and other rural areas of Punjab are basketry, pottery, bone work, textile, cloth woven on handlooms, cotton, silk etc. embroidery, weaving, carpets, stone craft, jewelry, metal work on with truck art and other wood works.BaluchistanBaloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Balochistan is an area of b arren lands, deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is undecomposed of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition. Poets and story tellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.Language The people belonging to Baloch tribe speak balochi language.Marriages In Baloch culture trades unions are different and whimsical than in the other provinces of the country. The marriages are according to Islamic principles in presence of a Mullana along with the presence of witnesses. Every member of the family takes part in the marriage they express their joy and happiness by following the traditions of their culture. Usually the marriages are done in young ages (teenage) but are arranged in untimely childhood or at birth.Dressing Like all the other provinces of Pakistan the national d ress shalwar kameez with distinct additions and modifications are worn in Baloch culture. pillbox is the common headwear of Bloch men along with wide loose shalwar along with knee-long shirts. Females dress consists of a shirthaving a big pocket and embroidery and engraft round mirror work in front. A big Dupatta/ Chaddar is taken to cover the head and shoulders. Festivals Both religious and social festivals are celebrated by Baloch people. The religious festivals are same as across the country like Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. Baloch culture is broad of many social festivals like Sibi festival which has menage music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other entertaining activities showing the colorful side of Baloch people.Music Baloch culture is rich in category music dances and songs. Famous wedding songs of Baloch culture are Nazenk and Salonk. The instruments used are mainly a flute, topical anaestheticly called Nal, Tamboora an d Soroz. A common Baloch folk dance is known as Dochaap. Women also move in a circle clapping their hands on certain occasions. Other dances include the Lewa, Latti and Hambo.Food Usually Baloch people have meals in morning and evening. Men and women eat each. Wheat, millet and rice are part of the Baloch meal. Meat is also an important part Sajji is the favorite dish of most people. Sajji is the food eaten with knife other than that Baloch people commonly eat with hands. Milk, butter and vegetables are also part of Baloch cuisine.Sports Popular games include chauk, and Ji. Also games like wrestling, horse racing, shooting and hunting pas clock among the wealthier people of tribes. Card games and gambling are also popular among groups of some tribes.SindhSindh is one of the four provinces in Pakistan located at the southern border. The province of Sindh has been named after the famous River Indus. In Sanskrit, the province was dubbed Sindhu meaning an ocean. Language Sindhi langu age is an ancient language spoken in Pakistan and many other separate of the world. Government of Pakistan issues National Identity Cards to its citizens only in two languages Sindhi and Urdu.Festivals The people of Sind love their religion and the two festivals of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr are celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm.Different domestic festivals are arranged by the local people to provide people with new things they buy on Eids occasion. On different occasions, the sept dance of Bhagat is also performed by professionals to entertain the visiting people. Hence, a Sindhi Cultural Festival is a compound of folk dances, music and cheap entertainment for local people.Lifestyle People of Sindh are more inclined towards an agricultural based lifestyle. The fertile Indus Plains provide a valuable source of income for the local people who put on farming on these lands. Inland fishing is also practiced along the Indus River in Upper Sind providing further opportunities for lo cal people. Itinerant way of lifestyle is commonly seen in the desertic regions of Thar where people move from place to place in search for drinking water sources along with their animals.Arts and Music Sindhi society is dominated by great Sufis, the mystics and the martyrs. It has always been the land of peace, love, romance, and great cultural and artistic values. There were the great theologians of the Naqsh bandi order in Thatta who translated the fundamentals of the religion of Islam into their mother tongue. There were the great Sufi (mystic) poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai who was the cherisher of truth and spent all his life in its propagation, pursuit and quest. Bhitai was also an excellent musician. He invented a new type of melodious instrument, Tambura (drone instrument), which till today, is a primary source of music in rural Sindh. The beauty of Shahs verses is enhanced by his blending of traditional Indian rag with the Sindhi folk songs and music.Cultural characte rThe ancient Sindhi civilization was the place, where the aesthetic utilization of leisure was freely indulged. There has been evidence, that the excavations of sites dating back to 3000 B.C. (all over Sindh) is also true, nearly 1200 years ago when Jaina Dakshiniya Chihna (778 A.D.) described the distinguished features of Sindhis in this way Elegant, with a lovely, soft and slow gait, they are fond of the art of harvas (that is, songs, music and dancing) and full affection towards their country. Sindhis celebrate Sindh Cultural day worldwide on 6th December by wearing Ajrak & Sindhi Topi on that time.PashtunThe history and the origins of Pathans has been a controversial debate however not much of a consensus could be formed . There were theories ranging from Pakhtuns having an Aryan, Jewish, Arab or mixed origin. None was convincing enough to form a conclusion. Patahns are extremely obsessed and curious to know about their origin of their race, however it might not be a major adj oin for many other races.Holidays , special events and Traditions Gham khadi,Wada Koidana,Topak tamacha,hujra,kat bistara along with those is the arrival of Sparlay or Spring, known as Nava Wroz (New Day), is also celebrated by some Pashtuns. It is an ancient annual Pashtun festival which celebrates both the beginning of spring and the New Year. Amongst some Pashtuns, Sheshbeeyeh, a prelude festival to Nava Wroz is also celebrated.Food One of the most famous dishes includes tikkah,serge,sugi ka halwa,kawa,chapali kabab,kabala palao,special long naans. And many morePoetry Pathan are very famous for their poetry ,they are very passionate and patriotic which is obvious from their poetry. Some of the famous poets are include Amir Kror Suri, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Baba and many others.DancesAttan In this dance, the dancers perform to the music.This dance is performed by both the genders involving 2-5 steps, ending with a clap given while facing the center, after which the process i s repeated again. This dance is typically performed with the musician dictating the duration and speed. Khattak dance The Khattak Dance is performed by the Khattak tribe. Mahsud dance A unique dance routine exploitation rifles performed by the Mahsud tribe of Pashtuns. Originally it was used to dance at the time of war, but later on became a cultural dance. The dancers dance empty pass and require only large drums. Nowadays though it is danced with the guns in the dancers hand. Waziri dance 2 drummers and a flute player play a particular tune. Two persons leave the circle go dancing towards the drummers, and come backdancing in the same manner.During performing both the persons turn around two times at a time once towards each other facing face to face and once keeping faces in opposite direction. After doing this separately they march while dancing to the assembled crowd. Clothing Pashtun men usually wear a Partoog-Korteh in Pashto(salwar kameez is Urdu)with a pakul (Pashtun hat) . In the Kandahar region young men usually wear different type of hat similar to a topi and in the Peshawar region they wear white kufis instead. Leaders or tribal chiefs sometimes wear a karakul hat, like Hamid Karzai and others. Women and girls wear traditional long dresses with a light piece of cloth used to cover their hair.They also wear beautiful hand made jewellery. And beautiful pakhtoon frocks.Sports Some Pashtuns participate in buzkashi, which is a sport introduced in the region during the Mughal era.. The word buz nub goat and kashi means dragging or pulling. Not a team sport, it is every man for himself and that becomes apparent as soon as the game starts. Although buskashi is primarily an single(a) sport, alliances are built up between various players. Between the alliances, the strongest players finally take control .This is very similar to polo. Football is another sports very enjoyablely played by pathans of Khyber pahktoonwar.