Pakistan culture is made up of many ethnic groups Baloch, Hazara and Pashtun in the West and the Punjabis, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Pothwaris, Saraikis, Kashmiris, Makrani in the south. The culture of these Pakistani ethnic groups has greatly influenced the people of many of its neighbors, such as other South Asians, Iranians, Turks, as well as Central & West Asians.
About Pakistani Culture:
The culture of Pakistan is enriched with traditions and represents the history of that region. The Pakistani people and society are unique in their way of life, ideas and ethics. The people of each province have diverse cultural values that set them apart from other groups in society.
Welcome to our helpful guide for Pakistan. If you want to travel, live, exchange or do business in Pakistan, we will help you understand the Pakistani culture and traditions.
History:
Pakistan is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. For 300 years, the area is now known as Pakistan, until the early 1900s, it was ruled by all kinds of Arabs, including Parsis and Arab-filled Islamic civilizations. This happened only in 1947 when Pakistan was severely divided from India, when Pakistan became a nation.
Initially, Pakistan consisted of an eastern and western part. Due to further conflicts, the eastern class of Pakistan became divided and became what we know today as Bangladesh. The region of Jammu and Kashmir, which lies on the border between the two regions, is still a source of conflict and political sensitivity.
Religion:
Religion is not only the basis of Pakistan’s social system but it is also an effective force that can provide a meeting place for all regional cultures of Pakistan. Cultural and religious beliefs encourage Pakistanis to show love and respect to their guests. In Islam in particular, the guest is a blessing from God, and is taught that they must be treated in the best possible way
Islam is the religion of every Muslim of Pakistan, and about 95-98% of Pakistanis are Muslims. The remaining 2.5% are Christianity, Hinduism and other religions. Muslims are broadly divided into two sects, Sunni Islam and Shia Islam. Shia Islam is 80%practiced in Pakistan. 20% are Muslims and the rest are Sunni Muslims.
Clothing:
Different parts of Pakistan have different physical characteristics and climate. Therefore, civilized differences were found between the people of the hills and the people of the earth. Pakistan’s national dress is the shalwar kameez for both men and women and is worn by men and women in all four provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
Men all over Pakistan prefer shalwar kameez with extra accessories which include Pakistani achkan, vest coat and sherwani including shalwar kameez and choridar pajamas. Jinnah cape, phase is also called Rumi hat and is used with talwar war shalwar kameez. Khidr shalwar kameez is a popular foot wear for men. Men especially like to wear traditional shawls made of pashmina and other warm materials in the northern part of Pakistan.
The most popular dressing of Pakistani women is the shalwar kameez which comes in different styles, colors and designs. It comes with different shirt lengths, sleeve lengths, neckline and a variety of trousers such as Patiala salwar, churidar pajamas and plain pants. The kurtas are also worn by women who are in modern designs. The dupatta is an essential part of the shalwar kameez and is considered a symbol of respect for women. It is used with various embroidery designs.
Language:
A common language can form a natural understanding to the extent that the speaker and the listener come together on a cultural level. Apart from other religious languages and dialects, Urdu is a language spoken and understood throughout the country. There are about 70 million local Urdu speakers.
Since the independence of the country in 1947 and the establishment of Urdu as a national language, poetry has been written in this language. There are two main languages Urdu and English and other languages are Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi.
Food:
Pakistani food is mainly a blend of Indian cuisine with Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Afghan influences. There are variations of cooking methods across the country, mostly in Punjab and Sindh, from spicy to steamed and steamed in KPK and Balochistan. There are different specialties all over the country. Most of the different types of rice like biryani, plow or steamed rice are used with vegetables and meat with korma and sweet. There are also local forms of grilled meat or kebabs, sweet pastries, and a variety of hot and cold drinks.
95% of Pakistan’s population is Muslim, so there are two main types of eating habits that are followed in daily life. One fact is that Muslims do not eat pork, so chicken, fish, sheep and beef are common foods. And the second fact is that fasting in the month of Ramadan is a daily activity of the people.
Festivals:
Many festivals are celebrated annually in Pakistan, whether it can be celebrated as a national holiday or not. Pakistan’s culture has a strong tradition of festivals and celebrations.
Shab-e-Barat – 14th of Shaaban (8th Islamic month)
Prayers, fireworks, exchange of sweet dishes and visits
Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of fasting from dawn to dusk.
Eid-ul-Fitr – 1st Shawwal, 10th month of Islamic Calendar
prayer after sun-rise, exchange of sweet dishes, visits
Sibi Festival – Last week of February
Spring Festival, sometimes also known as Basant, is a pre-Islamic Punjabi festival that marks the arrival of the spring season
Jashan-e-Larkana – Last week of February
End of March till 1st week of April – Horse & Cattle Show
Pakistan Day – 23 March
Military parade at provincial capitals and Islamabad
Mela Chiraghan – Last week of March
Held for one week outside Shalimar Gardens, Lahore
Jashan-e-Shikarpur – In April for 01 week
Cultural activities, local sports and handicrafts exhibition
Eid-ul-Azha – 10 Zilhaj
12th month of Islamic Calendar
After sunrise prayer, sacrifice of goat, sheep, cow or camel and distribution of meat to relatives, friends and the poor
Joshi or Chilimjusht – 14-15 May
Folk dances, music and exchange of dishes
Shandur Polo Festival – 15-16 July
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi – 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal
The 3rd month of Islamic Calendar (The birth date our Holy Prophet (PBUH)
Pakistan Independence Day – 14 August
Defense of Pakistan Day – 6 September
exhibitions of military equipment
Air force Day – 7 September
Display of latest aircraft of Pakistan Air force and air show
Phool – 20 – 25 September
Reaping grapes and walnuts, dancing and singing
Lok Mela – 1st week of October
Folk Music and dances, music contests, songs, exhibition and sale of handicrafts.
Introduction & Greetings:
Greetings are usually between members of the same sex. Males tend to shake hands with each other, but once a strong relationship is established, they hug and shake hands. Women usually hug and kiss each other. Pakistanis are not in a hurry to greet and they will take the time to inquire about a person’s general welfare, family and business.
Performing Arts:
There are many dance and music performance arts in Pakistan that are very unique from the ethnic culture of the artist. They are considered common rather than almost unique. Music and dance are performed in both classical and folk forms. Actors usually wear costumes with ethnic designs.
There are different types of Pakistani music like diverse provincial folk music and traditional style like Qawwali where men clap, sing and play drums and ghazal singing is performed to modern forms by mixing traditional and western music.
The traditional tradition of Kathak is traditionally attributed to travel boards of ancient northern India called Kathakars or storytellers. Some traditional dances include Bhangra, Luddi, Jhumar (Saraiki), Balochi folk dance, Jhumar, Gatka (Popular dance of Hazara division KPK), Chitrali Dance and Dhammal (Performed at Sufi shrines/ dargahs in Punjab & Sindh).
Sports:
The national sport of Pakistan is hockey. Hockey has traditionally been played only in the western province of Balochistan, but cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan. Many sports are played in Pakistan that reflect cultural identity.
Wrestling, hockey, cricket, basketball, kabaddi, and squash are some of the international sports played across the country that Pakistan has competed in several failed hockey, boxing athletics, swimming and shooting at the Summer Olympics
Architecture:
The advent of Islam in today’s Pakistan introduced classical Islamic architectural techniques into Pakistan’s architectural landscape. The town of Uch Sharif contains the tombs of Bibi Javidi, Bahu Haleem, and Jalaluddin Bukhari, which are considered to be some of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in Pakistan. After the colonial post, national identity is reflected in modern structures such as Faisal Masjid, Pakistan Yadgar, Minar Pakistan and Mazar-e-Quaid.
One of the most important examples of the Persian style of architecture is the tomb of Shah Rakn Alam in Multan. Lahore, the occasional residence of the Mughal rulers, exhibits a large number of important buildings from the empire, including the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore’s fort with the famous Alamgiri Gate, the colorful, still-Mughal-influenced Wazir Khan Mosque. Along with many other mosques and tombs. The Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta, Sindh, dates back to the Mughal period, as is the Mohib Khan Khan Mosque in Peshawar.
