Assignment of Pak Studies.

M. Zeeshan Baqir Roll # BCSF19E011

BSCS (SELF)-3RD SUBMITTED TO
MAM RUBINA.

CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF PAKISTAN

Culture:-

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people,

encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.

Tradition:-

A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with

symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past.

But basically, both tradition and culture carries same meanings at the end, and mostly both are
closer to each other.

Pakistani Culture:-

Pakistani Culture carries out a mixture of different kinds of people as before

when Pakistan come into being the people of Pakistan lived with different kinds of peoples like
Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, and various others groups. So, these make a huge impact on
culture of Pakistan but Pakistan is appeared on the map of world as an Islamic country.

Religion.

The main religion in Pakistan is Islam which followed by 95.98% of people. The remaining 2.5%
practice Christianity, Hinduism and other religions.

Language

There are main two common languages are Urdu and English and other languages are Punjabis,
Pasto, Sindhi, and Balochi and other regional languages are etc.

Geography

Our Pakistan consists of all types of geographical areas; it has green fertile plains, hot deserts,
and beautiful valleys, snow clad mountains and magnificent seashore line. The city of Islamabad
is in middle of the country, was officially the capital of Pakistan is in 1961. It becomes the active
capital in 1966, Rawalpindi is famous ancient city of the country it consist famous government
buildings and also wide variety of modern hotels and international airport.

Literature
The Pakistani literature comes after the India Pakistan partition. Basic main two types of
literature, urdu literature and English literature of south Asia over a period of time. A body of
literature became unique and Pakistan has emerged in nearly all major languages of Pakistan is
Urdu, English, Punjabi, Pashto, Seraiki, Balochi and Sindhi. Pakistani academy of letter is the
main official platform of Pakistani literature.

Poetry

Poetry is art and profession in Pakistan. It was originated in Persian Empire. After the
independence poetry is written in Urdu language and also regional language. Faiz Ahmad is
considered to have been Pakistan’s greatest poet. Pakistan is known as land of poetry and nearly
all Pakistani has written some poetry.

Music

The Pakistani music has a large variety, folk and traditional music are famous in Pakistan, such
as Qawwali and Gazal.

Dances

Folk dances are Bhangada, Luddi, Sammi of Punjab, Lewa, chap of Baluchistan, Attan and
Khattak of Khyber and Dhammal, Ho jamalo, Jumro of sindh.

Drama and theatre

There are very similar to stage plays in theatre. They are performed in the lollywood industry.
Lollywood industry is the Pakistan’s film industry but Bollywood movies of India are also most
popular in Pakistan.

Painting

The art of painting has developed slowly-slowly in the Muslim.. In the starting decorative
paintings and embroidery were made on the walls and ceilings of buildings and forts. The
Mughal rulers were very fond of paintings. The traditional art of painting occupies a prominent
place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan.

Calligraphy

Love and devotion for calligraphy is the reflection of love and faith of the Muslims Quran
writing good and stylish has been popular amongst the Muslim for all the times in Pakistan.
Mehmood Ghaznavi and Aurangzeb, alamgir were the master of calligraphy.

Food

95% population of Pakistan is Muslims so, mostly use meat of chicken, fish, lamb and beef are
the general food.
Spices and curries are main part of any Pakistani recipe. Because of use of spice and curry the
side dish of Pakistan is plain rice, in the south part of the country food is more exotic and highly
spiced.

1) Lunch 2) Dinner

In Pakistan mostly lunch and dinner are same. A characteristic of Pakistani lunch is it consists of
meat curries or rice. Breads like as roti or naan they are regularly served for dinner but have
become general during the day so that rice perhaps served for dinner. Popular dishes are
including aloo gosht or any vegetable with mutton. Chicken dishes are like chicken karahi and
chicken korma these dishes are also popular. On the other hand, People who live near the main
rivers they also eat fish for lunch, which is sometimes cooked in the tandoori style. Desserts like
shahi tukray, gajraila, kheer, qulfi, gulab jamun, or ras malai.

Snacks

Some typical snacks are dahi bhala, chana masala, chaat, papar, and pakora. Others include
katchauri, samosas, pakoras-either neem pakoras or besan pakoras, vegetable or beef, gol
gappay, bhail puri or daal seu and egg rolls. Nuts, such as pistachios and pine nuts are also often
eaten at home in Pakistan.

Main dishes of Pakistan

• Pulses
• Barbeque and Kebabs
• Rice dishes

Marriage

In Pakistan marriage is known as “Nikah” in these is formal legal document is signed by the
bride and groom among of several family members or witness these establish that the couple is
legally married.

The other Muslim marriage tradition known as “Mayun” or “Lagan” which take place four or
five days before the marriage and it starts with the bridge retiring to a secluded area of home.
Before the one day of marriage there is a menhdi ceremony, in this ceremony bride’s hands and

Dress

In Pakistan different parts lave different physical features and climates. Hence cultured
differences found between the people of hills and land. The national dress of the Pakistan is
shalwar qameez for both men and women. There is two type of version of shalwar qameez are
available one is light cotton version for summer and second one is heavier wool version for
winter, the other dresses are sherwani and achkan.

1) Men’s Clothing
Men all over Pakistan prefer shalwar kameez with additional accessories which include Pakistani
Achkan, Waistcoat and Sherwani with the shalwar kameez and with Churidar Pajama. Jinnah
Cap, Fez it also called Rumi Topi and Taqiyah is used with Shalwar Kameez. Khussa is a
popular foot wear of men with shalwar kameez.

2) Women’s Clothing

Shalwar Kameez The most favorite dressing of Pakistani women is shalwar kameez which is
comes in different styles, colors and designs. It is comes with different shirt length, sleeve
length, necklines and different types of shalwars like patiala salwar, churidar pajama and simple
trouser. Kurta is also wear by women which are in latest designs. Dupatta is a necessary part of
shalwar kameez and considered a symbol of woman’s respect.It is used with different
embroidery designs.

Other Traditional Dresses

Pakistani women have very large variety of traditional dresses additional than Shalwar Kameez
but they mostly wear them at special occasions like Wedding, Engagement, Mehndi and other
ceremonies. Among these dresses Saris are very popular and its each design and color seems
unique from the other. Like Gharara, Farsi payzama, Dhoti, Lahenga style sari etc.

Festivals

1) Shab-e-Barat

14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month

Prayers, fireworks, exchange of sweet dishes and visits

2) Eid-ul-Fitr

End of fasting month on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar

Prayer after sun-rise, exchange of sweet dishes, visits

3) Bassant

Mid February every year

4) Mela Chiraghan (Festival of lamps)

Last week of March

Held for one week outside Shalimar Gardens, Lahore

5) Eid-ul-Azha
10 Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar

prayers after sun set, sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or camels and distribution of meat among
relatives, friends and poor

6) Shandur Polo Festival

Gilgit

7 – 9 July

7) Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi

12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal – the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar

8) Independence Day

14 August

Meeting, processions, rallies, decorations and illustrations all over the country

9) Defense of Pakistan Day

6 September

Exhibitions of military equipment

Sport

The national sport of Pakistan is hockey the hockey is traditionally it had been played almost
exclusively in the western province of Baluchistan, but the cricket is the most popular sport in
Pakistan. There are many games played in Pakistan which reflected cultural identity.

Wrestling, hockey, cricket, basket ball kabaddi and squash are some of the games played all over
the country at the international level Pakistan have competed many times at summer Olympics in
failed hockey, boxing athletics, swimming and shooting.

Etiquettes in Pakistan

In Pakistan, Culture of Pakistan is Islamic but Pakistan also has their cultural etiquette based
generally on South Asia’s influence, like as British. Culture of Pakistan is rich and vibrant.
Guests will find their hosts to be polite and friendly. English is largely spoken in major cities
such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore and other business community. Pakistan is
an especially understanding place despite its governance upon Islam. Guests should note that
there is a large cultural and economic gap between the social classes in country. It is best,
however not compulsory for guests to have a local host who can assist and accompany them right
through their trip. The new etiquette in Pakistan is a combination of western and eastern part
etiquette as Pakistan people are very much attracted to the western and eastern norms and values.

Introduction and Greetings

People of who are opposite sex do not shake hands when they meet each other. It is sometimes
common among men when shaking hands. In urban are Sindh and in other parts of the country,
men and women usually lower their head and lift their hand to their forehead to make the “adab”
gesture when giving greeting each other.