COMMONWEALTH ESSAY

MY CULTURAL CONNECTION
Culture defines people’s belief and personal interest. Culture is important because it
allows people to maintain an identical society. Pakistan has many distinct cultures such as Huns,
Arab, Turks, etc. Pakistan is a combination of Islamic religion, English and global influences.
Islam occupies 98% of Pakistan population and other 2% is occupied by other religion.
Pakistan literature originates from when it got its independence. The common shared
literature was inherited by India by the new state. Poetry is a highly respected art and profession
in Pakistan. The pre-eminent form of poetry exists at a regional level. Since the independence of
the country in 1947 and establishment of Urdu, poetry is also written Urdu as well. Urdu poetry
includes some of the famous writer such as Allam Iqbal, Mir Taqi Mir, Galib, Faiz etc. The
variety of Pakistan music ranges from diverse folk music and traditional qawwali and gazal
gauyaki to modern music. The two main dances of Pakistan are: “Kathak”, which is the classical
dance that developed in the royal courts of Mugils and folk dance. “Folk dances” are still popular
and vary according to their regions of Pakistan.
The architecture of the areas we know, can be traced into four distinct periods: pre-
Islamic, Islamic, colonial and past colonial. The arrival of Islam in today’s Pakistan introduced
Pakistan’s architectural landscape. The Shahjahan mosque in thatta, Sindh originated from the
Mughals. The official sport of Pakistan is field hockey but cricket is the most popular sport.
Culinary art in Pakistan mainly is a mixer of Indian crustiness with middle eastern and afghan
influences. Urban centers offer an ambulation of recipes from all parts of the world. Food with
local ingredients are available in rural areas and villages.
This is my culture and it is a merge of many other cultures which is a proud representation
of every Pakistani throughout the world and we stand connected with many features of our
culture that resembles with our cultural heritage. I am familiar with all things that are culturally
eaten in my country like biryani, karahi and handy. I also like and wear my cultural dress which
is shalwar kamiz. I also hear my cultural songs with my family sometimes which is qawwali. I
like to watch cultural dances such as folk dances. There is a seemingly noticeable familiarity in
my culture and in cultures of India and Afghanistan. Things that are eaten there are also eaten
here and things that are eaten here are also eaten there. Thus, these cultural connections of
different inheritances make us stay connected with each other and we are surely entangled with
the world with love because of the cultural connections.

NAME: MOHAMMAD AFNAN JUNAID

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