Pakistani Culture

Name: Khansa Aamir

Reg. no.: FA22-BCS-090
Section: B
Department: Computer Science
Assignment no.: 02
Course Title: Pakistan Studies
Submitted to: Omer Azam
Submission Date: 20-10-2023
 Pakistani Culture

Understanding Culture
A population's collective ways of life, including its institutions, beliefs, and artistic
expressions, are collectively referred to as its culture. It has been said that culture is "the way
of life for an entire society". It encompasses manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, and
artistic standards as a result.
Culture definition by different Sociologists is as follows:
 “Culture is a complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law,
custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of
society.” (Taylor)
 “Culture is social heredity, which is transmitted from one generation to another with
the accumulation of individual experiences.” (Linton)
 “Culture is a way of life which is transmitted from one generation to generation.”
(John Beattee)
 “Culture is a symbolic continuous, cumulative and progressive process.” (Leglic AY
White)

Depth of Culture
Even people from the same culture have multiple layers of internal mental conditioning. The
following levels of culture have various layers:
o The national level: Connected to the entire country.
o The regional level: At this level there may be linguistic, racial, or religious divisions
within a country.
o The gender level: Linked to disparities between genders (male vs. female)
o The generational level: Refers to the distinctions between parents and children,
parents, and grandparents.
o The social class level: Linked to chances for education and variations in occupation.
o The corporate level: Refers to an organization's specific culture. applicable to people
who have a job.

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 Pakistani Culture

Multicultural and socially diversified Country

A nation that embraces a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and social groups and promotes
diversity as a source of strength and enrichment is said to be multicultural and socially
diverse.

Pakistan as a multicultural and socially diversified Country

Different ethnic groups can be found in Pakistan according to area, religion, language, and
culture. Baloch, Brahui, Sindhi, Punjabi, Muhajir, Saraiki, Memon, Kalashi, Balti, Wakhi,
Afghani, Kashmiri, and Hindkowan are a few of the current ethnic groups. Following are the
points that show Pakistan is a multicultural Country:

 Languages
Pakistan is a country where 74 different languages are spoken, with Urdu as the official
tongue.
o The main local languages are Pashto (Pakhto), Sindhi, Punjabi, and Balochi.
o Brahui, Saraiki, Balti, Hindko, Kashmiri, Gujari, Shina, Burushaski, Wakhi, and
Khowar are a few other commonly used languages.

 Music
The vast and varied music scene in Pakistan is a source of pride for its people.
o Popular musical styles in Pakistan include ghazal, qawwali, and sufi music.
o Well-known vocalists from these genres include Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi
Hassan, Noor Jehan, and the Sabri brothers.
o Modern musicians like Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali, and others have produced music
that is loved across the world.
o A variety of musical genres other than the traditional ones have been explored by
Pakistani performers, including pop, rock, jazz, folk, blues, and country.

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 Pakistani Culture

o Legends like Abida Parveen, Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi, Reshma, Arif Lohar, Allan
Fakir, and Shazia Khushk have made significant contributions to Pakistani folk music.

 Crafts
Pakistani crafts showcase the country's cultural heritage and represent the energy and
ingenuity of its people.
o The great diversity of Pakistani crafts, which feature a wide variety of art forms and
techniques, distinguishes them.
o Different parts of Pakistan, each recognized for particular kinds of handicrafts, add to
this diversity.
o Pakistani handicrafts include, among other things, calligraphy, truck art, copper work,
silverwork, jewelry, pottery, and wood carving. Pashmina from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(KPK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), intricate embroidery from Punjab, Rilli and Ajrak
from interior Sindh, handmade rugs, and carpets from Baluchistan.

 Dressing
Pakistan's rich cultural past and regional differences are reflected in the variety of clothing
that people wear there. The national attire of Pakistan is the shalwar kameez, Achkan
sherwani, and Kurta shalwar kameez.
o Men in Balochistan typically dress in long robes, baggy shalwar, and head coverings.
Women wear headscarves and long frocks with shalwars.

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 Pakistani Culture

o Men in Sindh wear Dhoti and long agerkhu. In mountainous regions, Sindhi ladies
dress in lehengas, cholis, and gajis. They frequently have mirror embroidery on their
garments.

o Shalwar kameez, lungis, dhotis, and turbans are common among men in Punjab.
Women frequently wear versions of the Punjabi shalwar kameez, such as the
Pothohari shalwar and Patiala shalwar.
o Men in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa don turbans, Peshawari shalwars, and traditional
chappals. In tribal areas, Pashtun women often dress in shalwar kameez or firaq
partug.

 Religion
Pakistan, a country dominated by Islam, has a long history of religious pluralism with a
sizable Muslim population. The nation is home to a few religious minorities, including
Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others, in addition to the overwhelming Muslim
population.

Despite their diverse geographical, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, Pakistanis are united
by their generosity, love for their families, enthusiasm for festivities and cricket, resilience in
the face of challenges, cultural pride, and feeling of common national identity. They are
united as a cohesive and diversified nation by these shared bonds.

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 Pakistani Culture

DOs and DON’Ts of Pakistani Culture

It is important to be aware of specific DOs and DON'Ts when interacting with Pakistani
culture to show respect and prevent cultural misunderstandings. Here are a few instances:

DOs
o Give everyone you meet a kind handshake and a smile.
o When someone enters a room, stand up to welcome them.
o As an expression of your love for others, regularly compliment their appearance,
hairstyle, or personal belongings.
o Respect elders and those in positions of authority.
o Accept invitations to homes and sample the cuisine of Pakistan.
o It is appropriate to bring a small present to show your appreciation for the invitation,
such as flowers, chocolate, or sweets.
o To eat, give and receive things, and shake hands, use your right hand.
o To interact with citizens, learn some fundamental Urdu phrases.

DON’Ts
o Don’t laugh loudly in public.
o It is considered rude to sit with one’s legs outstretched.
o Refrain from criticizing or disrespecting religious beliefs and practices.
o Do not eat or offer pork or alcohol, as they are prohibited in Islam.
o Avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics, religion, and Kashmir.
o Do not point with your finger; instead, use your hand or chin to indicate something.
o It is best to always dress modestly in a way that doesn't over-accentuate one’s figure.

References
 Gasimova, Narmina (15 December 2022). "Multiculturalism as the main philosophical concept in
the social development of modern society"
 West, Barbara. A (2009) Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania
 Qadeer. Mohammad (2006) Pakistan - Social and Cultural Transformations in a Muslim Nation
 Latif, Abdul (1978). Population Census of Pakistan, 1972: Lahore. Manager of Publications.
 Chaudhry, Nazir Ahmad (2002) Multan Glimpses: With an Account of Siege and Surrender
 Kamil Khan Mumtaz (1985). Architecture in Pakistan. Concept Media Pte Ltd.
 Muhammad Zahid Rifat (3 October 2011). "Paying tributes to popular Sufi poets". The Nation.
Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2011.

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