The Common Features of Pakistani Culture

Different regions and nationalities have different customs and traditions. That explains the presance of so many cultures throughout the world. But there are also many commonalities among various cultures. Pakistan is a muslim country and islam is the dominant feature of pakistani culture. Islam is against the divisions of people and societies on ethnic, linguistic, or traditional grounds and provides a common framework for uniting its followers in a single nationhood beyond provincial frontiers besides religion the constitution of pakistan, also provides freedom and benefits to every one. Following are the main characteristics of pakistani culture.

Mixed culture:
pakistani culture is a mixed culture. This region has been a melting pot of different cultural traditions since human prehistory. The earliest settlers of the region were part displaced, part mingled with the Aryan invandes. Later on various people of iranian, Afghan, Greek, Arab, Mongolian and turkic origin settled and mingled with local populations. Thus, in spite of the many apparent differences in the customs and traditions of various regions in the country, they also exhibit deep, underlying similarities, known as pakistani culture.

Social life:
In pakistan social life is basically simple and modest. Customs and traditions are also simple. A majority of the population lives in combined family system. Respect for the elders is common among all regional and local traditions.
 

A vast majority of the national population lives in villages, with farming and livestock management being the primary sources of earning their livelihood.
 

Commerce, industrial works, and the service sector are the major employment sources of the people in urban areas.
 

Marriage ceremonies are still held in traditional manner. Religious festivals are generally celebrated with passion and devotion throughout the country.

Dress:
pakistan's national dress is simple but graceful. Men wear shalwar and qamees or kurta. The use of traditional caps and pagries as headwear among men is common. Women generally wear shalwar and qamees for clothes and chader (shawl) for headwear.
 

Besides, every region has its own style of dress. Embroidered dress is popular with women. But its cutting, colour and design are different. Hence, every dress follows the principle of modesty and parda.

                                                  

Food: 

Food of pakistani people is quite simple. Bread made from wheat taken with vegetables, various kinds of pulses, is common. Rice with meat is another favorite dish. Milk, lassi, tea, green tea and simple water are the major drinks. However, during marriage ceremonies and other feasts, the provision of more expenslve and richer foods and drinks is arranged. Some foods are more popular than others in certain areas due to regional and climatic variations. In khyber pakhtunkhwa, for example, because of the cold weather meat and green tea are consumed in larger quantities. In Sindh and Punjab, vegetables, milk and dairy products like yogurt and butter, are consumed avidly. In Baluchistan, lambs, meat, beaf and dry fruits are the fovourite food.

                                                   

Handicraft: 

The skill of handicraft is inherited to pakistan people from ancient times. Modern pakistan's craftmen are capable and have a great aesthetic sence. Craftsmanship is generally a family business. Certain crafts are jointly undertaken by men and women.

The city of Gujarat is famous for the craft of paintings on earthenware. The craftsmen of peshawar city retain the same mastery of the art of engraving on bronze, copper and tin implements as their ancestors. The goldsmiths of Peshawar, Multan, Bahawalpur and Haiderabad are renowned for their work in both gold and silver. Baluchistan and Punjab are renowned for the craft of weaving hand-woven carpet. Pakistanis are also heir to a rich tradition in the handcrafts of embroidery and the decoration of fabrics.

                                                

Sports and Fares:

Sporting events and fairs are important aspects of pakistani culture. In various regions of the country fairs are held with the changing of seasons and on eve of crops cutting or on occasions of important events in the lives of sufi saints. People from all walks of life come to participate in these fares. Some of these events are quite colorful.

Some of the famous fares held in the country include the horse and cattle show in Lahore, the annual cattle-fare held at Sibbi in Baluchistan, and the Shandur Polo Festival at chitral in khyber pakhtunkhwa.