Cultures of Pakistan

Cuisine: The extended culinary art of Punjab can be vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Most Punjabi nutrient is eaten with either rice or roti. There are some dishes that are sole to Punjab such as Mah Di Dal. Paratha. Makai ki rotti. Saron Da Saag. and in metropoliss Choley. Haleem. Baryani and other spicy dishes are popular. In drinks. tea is consumed in all seasons and as a usage most of Punjabis serve tea to their invitees. Punjabis are besides fond of Zarda. Gulab-Jamuns. Kheer. Jalaibi. Samosy. Pakorey etc. During summers people drink lassi. doodh-soda. aloo bokharey ka sharbat. lemonade etc.

Sports: Panjabi people have overzealous involvement in athleticss. Punjabi’s are fond of kabaddi. and wrestling. Other games being played in Punjab part include Gilli-Danda. Khoo-Khoo. Yassu-Panju. Pitho-Garam. Ludo. Chuppan-Chupai. Baraf-Panni. Kanchy and some major athleticss include cricket. pugilism. horse-racing. hockey and football.

Cultural Festivals: There are legion festivals which are celebrated by Punjabi people including some spiritual festivals such as Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi. Jumu’ah. Laylat-ul-Qadr etc. Urcs ( devotional carnival ) . which are held at the shirnes of Sufi saints. Melas and Nomaish ( exhibitions ) . Lahori’s are celebrated all over the state for their jubilations peculiarly for Basant festival ( kite winging ) in the spring season.

Dance and Music: Bhangra is most normally known Punjabi music genre and dance manner. Punjabis passionately love common people songs/music. Qawali and Punjabi music is recognized throughout the universe. The Tabla. Dhol. Dholki. Chimta. Flute and Sitar are all common instruments of this delicious civilization. Different signifiers of dance in Punjab are: Loddi. Dhamal. Sammi. Kikli. Gatka. Bhangra. Giddha and Dandiya.

Customs and Rituals: Some of the imposts followed in Punjab have no foundation in Islam. However. the Punjabi civilization has adopted those ceremonials and traditions from Hindu civilization.

Birth Rituals: Punjabis celebrate the birth of their child with great enthusiasm. The grandfather, grandmother, or some well-respected older member of the household puts honey on the child’s tongue using their index finger, which is called Ghutii. Henry sweets are distributed among friends and relatives, and people bring gifts for the child and the mother. Generally, on the 7th day, the child’s head is shaved, and the Aqiqa ceremony is held, during which a sheep or goat is slaughtered.

Punjabi Weddings: Punjabi weddings are based on traditions and are conducted with strong contemplation of Punjabi civilization, followed by several pre-wedding customs and rites (dholki, mayun, ubtan, etc.). Traditional customs and ceremonies generally last for three days, including Mehndi, Barat (Nikkah+Ruksati), and Walima, followed by Chauti (bringing the bride back to her parents’ place the next day).

Funeral Rituals: At funerals, after namaz-e-janaza, it is customary to offer food to people who came to offer condolences. On the third day of the funeral, Qul is held, and every following Thursday, the Quran is recited (jumah-e-raat), followed by prayers for the deceased. After 40 days, the chaliswaan is held.

Literature: Punjab is very rich in literature, and Sufis add more to its literature. Punjabi poetry is renowned for its highly deep significance, beautiful, and hopeful use of words. The large number of Punjabi poetry is being translated throughout the world into many languages. Some famous poets of Punjabi are 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, is known as the Shakespeare of the Punjabi language. Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist, and a philosopher. The poetry from Bulleh Shah mainly employs Kafi, a form of Punjabi. Some other popular folk tales of Punjab include Sassi-Punnu, Sohni Mahiwal, etc., which are passing through generations.

Arts and Crafts: Punjab is the major manufacturing industry in Pakistan’s economy, and here, each art enjoys a place of its own. The main trades created in the highlands and other rural areas of Punjab are basketry, pottery, bone work, fabric, cloth woven on handlooms, cotton, silk, etc., embellishment, weaving, rugs, stonework, jewelry, metalwork, along with truck art, and other woodworks.

Balochistan: Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Although Balochistan is an area of bare lands, plateaus, and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts, and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts, which is done by females. Balochistan is also known for its folks and festivals. Another distinctive feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition. Poets and storytellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.

Language: The people belonging to the Baloch folk speak Balochi language. Marriages: In Baloch civilization, marriages are different and unique than in the other states of the country. The marriages are according to Islamic rules in the presence of a Maulana 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.

Normally, the marriages are done at a young age (teenage) but are arranged in early childhood or at birth. Dressing: Like all the other states of Pakistan, the national dress, shalwar kameez with distinct accessories and modifications, is worn in Baloch civilization. Turban is the common headwear of Baloch men along with wide loose salwars along with knee-long shirts. Female dress consists of a shirt having a large pocket and embellishment and embedded round mirror work in front. A large 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 the same as across the country like Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. Baloch civilization is full of many social festivals like the Sibi festival which has common people music performance, cultural dances, handicraft stables, cattle shows, and a number of other entertaining activities showing the colorful side of Baloch people.

Music: Baloch civilization is rich in common people music, dances, and vocals. Celebrated marrying vocals of Baloch civilization are Nazenk and Salonk. The instruments used are mainly a flute, locally called Nal, Tamboora, and Soroz. A common Baloch common people 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: Normally, Baloch people have meals in the morning and evening. Men and women eat separately. 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 a knife, other than that Baloch people normally eat with hands. Milk, butter, and vegetables are also part of Baloch cuisine.

Sports: Popular games include chauk and Ji. Besides games like wrestling, horse racing, shooting, and hunting interests among the wealthier people of the folk. Card games and gambling are also popular among groups of some folks. Sindh: Sindh is one of the four states in Pakistan located at the southern boundary. The state of Sindh has been named after the famous River Indus. In Sanskrit, the state was dubbed Sindhu meaning an ocean.

Language: Sindhi language is an ancient language spoken in Pakistan and many other parts of the world. The Government of Pakistan issues National Identity Cards to its citizens only in two languages; Sindhi and Urdu.

Festivals: The people of Sindh love their faith, and the two festivals of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr are celebrated with ardor and enthusiasm. Different domestic festivals are arranged by the local people to provide new things that they buy on Eid’s occasion. On different occasions, the folk dance of Bhagat is also performed by professionals to entertain visiting people. Hence, a Sindhi Cultural Festival is a combination of common people dances, music, and inexpensive entertainment for local people.

Lifestyle: People of Sindh are more inclined towards an agriculture-based lifestyle. The fertile Indus Plains provide a valuable source of income for the local people who practice farming on these lands. Inland fishing is also practiced along the Indus River in Upper Sindh, providing further opportunities for local people. A nomadic lifestyle is usually seen in the desertic parts of Thar, where people move from place to place in search of drinking water sources along with their animals.

Arts and Music: Sindhi society is dominated by great Sufis, mystics, and sufferers. It has always been the land of peace, love, romance, and great cultural and artistic values. There were great theologians of the Naqshbandi order in Thatta who translated the fundamentals of the religion of Islam into their mother tongue. There were great Sufi (mystical) poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, who was the cherisher of truth and spent all his life in its extension, pursuit, and quest.

Bhitai was also an excellent musician. He invented a new type of musical instrument, Tambura (a drone instrument), which until today is a primary source of music in rural Sindh. The beauty of Shah’s poems is enhanced by his blending of traditional Indian shred with Sindhi folk vocals and music.

Cultural character: The ancient Sindhi civilization was the place where the aesthetic use of leisure was freely indulged. There has been evidence that the diggings of sites dating back to 3000 B.C. (all over Sindh) is also true. Around 1200 years ago, when Jaina Dakshiniya Chihna (778 A.D.) described the distinguished characteristics of Sindhis in this manner: “Elegant, with a lovely, soft and slow pace, they are fond of the art of harvas (that is, songs, music, and dance) and full affection towards their state.” Sindhis celebrate Sindh Cultural Day worldwide on 6th December by wearing Ajrak & Sindhi Topi at that time.

Pathans: The history and the origins of Pathans have been a controversial argument; 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. Pathans are extremely curious and interested to know about the origin of their race; however, it might not be a major concern for many other races.

Vacations, particular events, and traditions: Gham khaddar, Wada Koidana, Topak tamacha, hujra, kat bistara, along with the reaching of Sparlay or Spring, known as Nava Wroz (New Day), are also celebrated by some Pashtuns. It is an ancient one-year Pashtun festival which celebrates both the beginning of spring and the New Year. Amongst some Pashtuns, Sheshbeeyeh, a preliminary festival to Nava Wroz, is also celebrated.

Food: One of the most celebrated dishes includes tikka, serge, sugi ka halwa, kawa, chapli kabab, kabuli pulao, particularly long nans, and many more.

Poetry: Pashtuns are really celebrated for their poetry. They are really passionate and loyal, which is obvious from their poetry. Some of the celebrated poets include Amir Kror Suri, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Baba, and many others.

Dances: Attan is a dance in which the dancers perform to the music. This dance is performed by both genders, involving 2-5 steps, ending with a bang given while facing the center, after which the process is repeated again. This dance is typically performed with the musician ordering the continuation and velocity. Khattak dance is performed by the Khattak folk. Mahsud dance is a unique dance routine using rifles performed by the Mahsud folk of Pashtuns. Originally, it was used to dance at the time of war, but later on became a cultural dance. The dancers dance empty-handed and require only large membranophones.

Nowadays, though, it is danced with guns in the dancers’ hands. Waziri dance involves two drummers and a flute player playing a particular melody. Two individuals leave the circle and dance towards the drummers, and come back dancing in the same manner. During performing, both individuals turn around two times at a time once towards each other facing face to face and once keeping faces in opposite ways. After doing this individually, they march while dancing to the assembled crowd.

Clothing: Pashtun men normally wear a Partoog-Korteh in Pashto (salwar kameez is Urdu) with a pakul (Pashtun hat). In the Kandahar region, young men normally wear a different type of hat similar to a pith hat, and in the Peshawar region, they wear white kufis instead. Leaders or tribal heads sometimes wear a broadtail hat, like Hamid Karzai and others. Women and girls wear traditional long dresses with a light piece of fabric used to cover their hair. They also wear beautiful handmade jewelry and beautiful Pashtun dresses.

Sports: Some Pashtuns take part in buzkashi, which is a sport introduced in the region during the Mughal era. The word “buz” means “goat,” and “kashi” means “dragging” or “pulling”. Not a team sport, it is every man for himself, and that becomes evident as soon as the game starts. Although buzkashi is mainly an individual sport, alliances are built up between various participants.

Between the alliances, the strongest participants eventually take control. This is very similar to polo. Football is another athleticss really enjoyablely played by Pathans of Khyber pahktoonwar.