Culture

Introduction

The society of Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستانی ثقافت) comprises numerous diverse cultures and ethnic groups from the Punjabis and Sindhis in the east to the tribal cultures of the Baloch and Pashtun in the west and the ancient Dardic in the north. These cultures have been greatly influenced by, and have themselves influenced, many of the surrounding countries’ cultures, such as those of Afghanistan, Iran, India, Central Asia and the Middle East. More recently western countries such as the UK, Germany and the USA have been influenced by the Pakistani diaspora.

In ancient times Pakistan was a major cultural hub, the home of ancient civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization – one of the first ‘settled’ peoples. Many cultural practices and great monuments have been inherited from the time of the many ancient rulers of the region. One of the most influenced cultures is that of the Persian Empire. Other key influences include the Afghan Empire and later the short lived but influential Mughal Empire.

Pakistan has a rich cultural and ethnic background going back to the Indus Valley Civilization, 2800 BC – 1800 BC. A civilization remarkable for its ordered cities, advanced-planned sanitation, straight roads and uniquely structured society. Present day Pakistan has been invaded many times in the past. It has been occupied and settled by many different people each of whom have left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country. Some of the largest groups were the ‘Aryans’, Greeks, Scythians, Persians, White Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and other Eurasian groups right up until the British who left in the late 1940s.

The region has formed a distinct cultural unit within the main cultural complex of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia from the earliest times. There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. Their cultural origins also show influences from far afield; including from: Tibet, Nepal, India and eastern Afghanistan. All groups show varying degrees of significant influence from Persia, Turkestan and Hellenistic Greece. Pakistan was the first part of the subcontinent to receive the full impact of Islam. Developing a unique Islamic identity and has developed a distinct Islamic identity-historically different from that further west.

Ancient sites in Pakistan include: Zorastrian, Buddhist, Hindu and Pagan temples and shrines, gardens, tombs, palaces, monuments, pleasure grounds and Mughal and Indo-Saracenic buildings. Sculpture is dominated by Greco-Buddhist friezes, and crafts by ceramics, jewellery, silk goods and engraved woodwork and metalwork.

Pakistani society is largely multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural. Though cultures within the country differ to some extent, more similarities than differences can be found as most Pakistanis are of mainly ‘Aryan’ heritage and/or have lived side by side along the Indus River for the past several thousand years and coexisted. However, over 60 years of integration, a distinctive “Pakistani” culture has sprung up especially in the urban areas. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. The traditional family values are highly respected and considered sacred, although urban families increasingly form nuclear families, owing to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional culture of extended family.

The past few decades have seen emergence of a middle class in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Faisalabad, Sukkur, Peshawar, Sialkot, Abbottabad and Multan. The rural areas of Pakistan are regarded as more conservative and are dominated by regional tribal customs dating back hundreds of years.

Literature

The common and shared tradition of Urdu and English literature of South Asia was inherited by the new state. Over a period of time, a body of literature unique to Pakistan has emerged in nearly all major Pakistani languages, including Urdu, English, Punjabi, Pushto and Sindhi.

Poetry

The Urdu language has an old tradition of poetry and includes famous poets as Mirza Ghalib, Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad Faraz and Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi. Apart from Urdu poetry, Pakistani poetry also has blends of other languages. Arabic poetry, Balochi poetry, Persian poetry, English poetry, Sindhi, Punjabi poetry and Kashmiri poetry have all incorporated and influenced Pakistani poetry.

Music

Pakistani music is represented by a wide variety of forms. It ranges from traditional styles (such as Qawwali) to more modern forms that try to fuse traditional Pakistani music with Western music. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was internationally renowned for creating a form of music which synchronized Qawwali with western music. Popular forms of music also prevail, the most notable being film music and Urdu and Punjabi pop music. In addition to this are the diverse traditions of folk music, as well as modern styles such as rock with bands such as Junoon, Nazia Hassan and Zohaib Hassan has been recognized internationally.

Dance

Bhangra is a form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab. It is commonly associated with the Sikhs. Bhangra began as a folk dance conducted by farmers to celebrate the coming of spring, or Vaisakhi. Today, bhangra survives in different forms and styles all over the globe – including pop music, film soundtracks, and even collegiate competitions.

Mujra is a form of dance originated by North Indian Tawaif (courtesans) during the Mughal era. They are based on thumris, ghazals or popular poems from the likes of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Bahadur Shah Zafar etc.

A common, but mistaken, opinion is that this dance form took away the more classical elements of the pure kathak dance to make it more appealing to the audience of that time, and added sensuality fitting a courtesan’s dance. It has taken a new form in Pakistan by becoming less artistic and more seductive, especially in Punjabi

Architecture

The architecture of the areas now constituting Pakistan can be designated to four distinct periods — pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial and post-colonial. With the beginning of the Indus civilization around the middle of the 3rd millennium B.C., an advanced urban culture developed for the first time in the region, with large structural facilities, some of which survive to this day. Moenjo Daro, Harappa and Kot Diji belong to the pre-Islamic era settlements. The rise of Buddhism and the Persian and Greek influence led to the development of the Greco-Buddhist style, starting from the 1st century CE. The high point of this era was reached with the culmination of the Gandhara style. An example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi in the northwest province.

The arrival of Islam in today’s Pakistan meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture. However, a smooth transition to predominantly pictureless Islamic architecture occurred. The most important of the few completely discovered buildings of Persian style is the tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam in Multan. During the Mughal era design elements of Islamic-Persian architecture were fused with and often produced playful forms of the Hindustani art. Lahore, occasional residence of Mughal rulers, exhibits a multiplicity of important buildings from the empire, among them the Badshahi mosque, the fortress of Lahore with the famous Alamgiri Gate, the colourful, still strongly Persian seeming Wazir Khan Mosque as well as numerous other mosques and mausoleums. The Shahjahan Mosque of Thatta in Sindh also originates from the epoch of the Mughals.

In the British colonial age predominantly representative buildings of the Indo-European style developed, from a mixture of European and Indian-Islamic components. Post-colonial national identity is expressed in modern structures like the Faisal Mosque, the Minar-e-Pakistan and the Mazar-e-Quaid.

Recreation and Sports

The official and national sport of Pakistan is field hockey, although squash and cricket are also very popular. The national cricket team won the Cricket World Cup once (in 1992), was runners-up once (in 1999) and co-hosted the games twice (in 1987 and 1996). The team has also won the Australasia Cup in 1986, 1990, and 1994. The country will also be hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup with India and Bangladesh.

At an international level, Pakistan has competed many times at the Summer Olympics in field hockey, boxing, athletics, swimming, and shooting. Hockey is the sport that Pakistan has been most successful at the Olympics, with three gold medals (1960, 1968 and 1984). Pakistan has also won the Hockey World Cup four times (1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994). Pakistan has hosted several international competitions, including the SAFG in 1989 and 2004.

A1 Grand Prix racing is also becoming popular with the entry of a Pakistani team in the 2005 season. The Tour de Pakistan, modelled on the Tour de France, is an annual cycling competition that covers the length and breadth of Pakistan. Recently, football has grown in popularity across the country, where traditionally it had been played almost exclusively in the western province of Balochistan. FIFA has recently teamed up with the government to bring football closer to the northern areas too. Also, it is hoped that Pakistan will fare better in the Football World Cup qualifiers for 2010.

Festivities

Ramadan

It is the holiest month of the Islamic Calendar. It is widely observed in Pakistan during which Muslim Pakistanis (about 97% of the population) fast, attend mosques with increased frequency and recite Quran. Special foods are cooked in greater quantities, parties are held and special accommodation is made by workplaces and educational institutes.

Chand Raat

After an Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, just the night before Eid comes, everyone gets ready for Eid. In the night known as Chand Raat, girls put henna on their hands. Most people have parties at their house. People go out for the last minute shopping for gifts and sweets that will be given to friends and families. Even outside at the malls and the plazas, there are many colourful lights. There are large crowds in the city center to celebrate the beginning of Eid.

Eid Celebrations

The two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha commemorate the passing of the month of fasting, Ramadan, and the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ishmael for God. During these days there are national holidays and many festivals and events take place to celebrate Eid. As Pakistan is a Muslim state, there are three days off for all businesses and Government offices.

On the night before Eid, people search for the new moon to mark the end of Ramadan and arrival of Eid ul-Fitr. The day starts with morning prayers, then returning home for a large breakfast with family members. The day is spent visiting relatives and friends and sharing gifts and sweets with everyone. During the evening people hit the town for some partying, going to restaurants or relaxing in city parks.

On Eid ul-Fitr, money is given for charity and as gifts to young children. On Eid ul-Adha, people may also distribute meat to relatives and neighbors and donate food for charity.

Milaad-un-Nabi

Milaad-un-Nabi is a known religious festival which is celebrated in many parts of Pakistan. The Milaad is the celebration for the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Muharram (Ashura)

In Pakistan, the first ten days of Muharram are observed officially. The 10th of Muharram is marked in the memory of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who was martyred, along with 72 family members, friends and followers during the Battle of Karbala.

Jashn-e-Baharan

Jashn-e-Baharan also referred to as Basant is a pre-Islamic Punjabi festival that marks the coming of spring. Celebrations in Pakistan are centered in Lahore and people from all over the country and abroad come to the city for the annual festivities. Kite flying competitions take place all over the city’s rooftops and people dance during day and night.

Nowruz

This festival is like Nowruz of Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. In Northern Pakistan (Chitral, Gilgit and Baltistan) Nowruz is celebrated as a socio-religious festival. It is also celebrated with much fervour in Balochistan and in almost all of Pakistan’s major urban centres. The day coincides with the Spring Equinox on March 21, but the celebration continues for weeks. In Baltistan, the main feature of Nowruz is gifting of coloured eggs to friends and polo matches. While in Balochistan, the festival is marked with outdoor feasts, and the traditional jumping over a fire to wash away sins and usher in a fresh start. The origins of this festival are pre-Islamic and date back to when Pakistan was part of the Achaemenid and Sassanid Persian empires.

Independence Day

On August 14, the people of Pakistan celebrate the day Pakistan gained its independence from the British India for an independent state for Muslims. There are many celebrations all over the country, the streets are full of joyful people singing and dancing. Concerts are held with many pop and classical singers. Parades are held in the capital city (Islamabad). Many people decorate their houses and fly the flag of Pakistan. At night, fireworks are used in many cities. Many people pray for the country and think how proud they are to be Pakistanis.

Defense Day Parade

September 6 is another patriotic day, when the Army of Pakistan is put on display for the general public to show Pakistan arms. All Government officials attend the ceremony and medals and recognitions are awarded to special people for their work.