Cultural character

The ancient Sindhi civilization was the place, where the aesthetic utilization of leisure was freely indulged.
There has been evidence, that the excavations of sites dating back to 3000 B.C. (all over Sindh) is also true,
around 1200 years ago when Jaina Dakshiniya Chihna (778 A.D.) described the distinguished features of
Sindhi’s in this way: “Elegant, with a lovely, soft and slow gait, they are fond of the art of harvas (that is, songs,
music and dancing) and full affection towards their country.” Sindhi’s celebrate Sindh Cultural day worldwide
on 6th December by wearing Ajrak & Sindhi Topi on that time.

Balochi Culture

Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Balochistan is an area of barren lands,
deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the
most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and
festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition. Poets and story tellers are
highly respected in Baloch culture.

Tribes

The people belonging to Baloch tribe speak balochi language. Balochi language is an ancient language. Its roots
are traced back to Iranian branch of Indo-European family. It has resemblance with languages such as
Sansikrat, Avesta, Old Persian and Phalavi, which now a days are said to be as dead languages. This tribe is
further divided in to Rind, Lashar, Marri, Jamot,Ahmedzai, Bugti,Domki, Magsi,Khosa,Rakhashani,Dashti
Umrani,Nosherwani,Gichki,Buledi, Sanjarani, Khidai

The tribe has a head known as “sardar”, the sub divided tribes also have heads known as “Malik” or “Takari” or
“Mir”. These tribe heads are members of districts and local Jirgas.

Marriages

In Baloch culture marriages are different and unique than in the other provinces of the country. The marriages
are according to Islamic principles in presence of a Mullana along with the presence of witnesses. Every
member of the family takes part in the marriage; they express their joy and happiness by following the traditions
of their culture. Usually the marriages are done in young ages (teenage) but are arranged in early childhood or at
birth. There is a very low or negligible ratio of love marriages as this is not appreciated across the culture in all
tribes. Usually the marriages take place within tribes but at times intra tribal marriages are also conducted.
Divorce rate is very low in the Baluchistan as compared to the other provinces of Pakistan because they
consider is a matter of disrespect for the family and honor of the tribe. Different rituals are celebrated in
different tribes. In some tribes there is a tradition of takings “Valver”, it is a sum of money paid by the groom to
the family of the bride.
Dressing

Like all the other provinces of Pakistan the national dress shalwar kameez with distinct additions and
modifications are worn in Baloch culture. The people dress up very pleasingly and in the same way in all the
tribes. Turban is the common headwear of Bloch men along with wide loose shalwar along with knee-long
shirts. Females dress consists of a shirt having a big pocket and embroidery and embedded round mirror work in
front. A big Dupatta/ Chaddar is taken to cover the head and shoulders.

Festivals

Both religious and social festivals are celebrated by Baloch people. The religious festivals are same as across
the country like Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. These religious festivals are celebrated by decorating houses
wearing new dresses cooking special dishes. Baloch culture is full of many social festivals like Sibi festival
which has folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other
entertaining activities showing the colorful side of Baloch people. Buzkashi is another festival showing rather
enhancing the bravery tactfulness and bravery of Baloch people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams
that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.

Music

Baloch culture is rich in folk music dances and songs. Famous wedding songs of Baloch culture areNazenk and
Salonk. The instruments used are mainly a flute, locally called Nal, Tamboora and Soroz. A common Baloch
folk dance is known as Dochaap. Women also move in a circle clapping their hands on certain occasions. Other
dances include the Lewa, Latti and Hambo.

Food

Usually Baloch people have meals in morning and evening. Men and women eat separately. Wheat, millet and
rice are part of the Baloch meal. Meat is also an important part; “Sajji” is the favorite dish of most people. Sajji
is the food eaten with knife other than that Baloch people usually eat with hands. Milk, butter and vegetables
are also part of Baloch cuisine.

Sports

Popular games include chauk, and Ji. Also games like wrestling, horse racing, shooting and hunting pastimes
among the wealthier people of tribes. Card games and gambling are also popular among groups of some tribes.

Pashtun Culture

The history and the origins of Pathans has been a controversial debate however not much of a consensus could
be formed . There were theories ranging from Pakhtuns having an Aryan, Jewish, Arab or mixed origin. None
was convincing enough to form a conclusion. Patahns are extremely obsessed and curious to know about their
origin of their race, however it might not be a major concern for many other races. Some people believe that
they might also be related to Khalid bin walid and as a result of which Pathans might also have an Arabic
origin. While another school of thought relate them to of Adolf Hitler’s that has a link to the Afghans to the
Aryans and ultimately a linkage to Pathans of Peshawar.

Pashtun culture is based on Islam and Pashtunwali, which is an ancient way of life.Kingdoms The most famous
and renowed tribes in Khyber pakhtoonwar are Lodi,Suri,Hotaki, Durrani,Barakazi.Classes of Pathans Society
Mian,Gujar,Rangi,Kulal.

Food

One of the most famous dishes includes tikkah,serge,sugi ka halwa,kawa,chapali kabab,kabala palao,special
long naans. And many more.

Poetry

Pathan are very famous for their poetry ,they are very passionate and patriotic which is obvious from their
poetry. Some of the famous poets are include Amir Kror Suri, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Babaand many
others.

Dances

• Attan: In this dance, the dancers perform to the music.This dance is performed by both the genders
involving 2-5 steps, ending with a clap given while facing the center, after which the process is repeated
again. This dance is typically performed with the musician dictating the duration and speed.

• Khattak dance: The Khattak Dance is performed by the Khattak tribe.

• Mahsud dance: A unique dance routine using rifles performed by the Mahsud tribe of Pashtuns.
Originally it was used to dance at the time of war, but later on became a cultural dance. The dancers
dance empty handed and require only large drums. Nowadays though it is danced with the guns in the
dancers hand.

• Waziri dance: Two drummers and a flute player play a particular tune. Two persons leave the circle; go
dancing towards the drummers, and come back dancing in the same manner. During performing both the
persons turn around two times at a time once towards each other facing face to face and once keeping
faces in opposite direction. After doing this separately they march while dancing to the assembled
crowd.

Clothing

Pashtun men usually wear a Partoog-Korteh in Pashto(salwar kameez is Urdu)with a pakul (Pashtun hat). In the
Kandahar region young men usually wear different type of hat similar to a topi and in thePeshawar region they
wear white kufis instead. Leaders or tribal chiefs sometimes wear a karakul hat, likeHamid Karzai and others.
Women and girls wear traditional long dresses with a light piece of cloth used to cover their hair.They also wear
beautiful hand made jewellery. And beautiful pakhtoon frocks.

Sports

Some Pashtuns participate in buzkashi, which is a sport introduced in the region during the Mughal era.. The
word “buz” means “goat” and “kashi” means “dragging” or “pulling”. Not a team sport, it is every man for
himself and that becomes apparent as soon as the game starts. Although buskashi is primarily an individual
sport, alliances are built up between various players. Between the alliances, the strongest players finally take
control .This is very similar to polo. Football is another sports very enjoyablely played by pathans of Khyber
pahktoonwar.

Makrani Culture

In Pakistan the Makrani people are mostly found in Balochistan in the Makran Coast and in lower Sindh mainly
in the Lyari area which comes under Karachi. The Makrani people are also known as Sheedis because of their
physical appearance.

Background

It is believed that they belong to East Africa and came to this part of world between 1200 AD and 1900 AD.
The first person of this tribe came to India in 628 AD and several others came in 712 AD when Islam came in
the subcontinent. Historians says this tribe have been soldier with Muhammad bin Qasim’s army and were
known as Zanjis. Their arrival to this part of world as increased in 17 th century when Portuguese sold them to
local princes. They are divided into four tribes Kharadar Makan, Hyderabad Makan, Lassi Makan and Melaro
Makan. They follow Pir Mangho as their saint.

Language

Their language is Makrani, Makrani is languages that is mixture of Balochi and Sindhi and have most of its
dialogues are similar to Urdu and some of the phases are very similar to African language.

Religion

Most of the Makranies belongs to Islam and follow the Barelvi School of though. Pir Mangho is followed as the
saint of Makranies and they also have an annual festival know as Sheedi Mela, in this festival they visit Mangho
Pir and play music and dance.

Marriages

Makranies mostly have intermarried with the people of their own tribe; they marry mostly with the fisher
people, labours dyeing and cloth Makers. On their marriage they organise special functions in which the sing,
dance and celebrate the event many days before the actual marriage ceremony.

Music
Music is a major component of Makrani culture. In 1970 and 1990 Lyari produced its own music knows as
“Lyari Disco”. The musical beats, song and dances are similar to Africa. Music is not just use for entertainment
but it also comes in their faith. In 1980 Dimly-lit a small recording studio was established in Lyari where young
men and women recorded music. The song “Bija Teer Bija” recorded in Lyari Disco was used in PPP electoral
campaign during 1988. Younis Jani is a popluar singer of modern word who belongs to Makran and his songs
are very famous now days.

Sports

Football is the one of the most famous sport among them especially in Layri and Pakistan Football team have
players from Layri. Layri is also known as mini Brazil because they love Brazil football team like their own
team. After football boxing is the next most famous sport and Layri have produced many international boxers,
these boxes also won Gold Medal in Olympic. The Donkey Race is also a famous sport, it start from Layri and
ends at Galifton Karachi.

Small Communities

Dardic

The Dard or Darada land in Pakistan includes Chitral, Swat, Dir, Indus Kohistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in
Pakistan. The people spoke Dardic languages, one of the three groups belonging to the Indo-Iranian branch of
the Indo-European family of languages. The Dardic languages include Dameli, Dumaki, Gawri (Kalami),
Gawar-Bati, Gawro, Chilsoso, Glangali or Nangalami (Afghanistan), Kalasha, Kashmiri, Kashtawari (Kashmir)
Khowar, Miaya (Indus Kohistani), Pashai (Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman, Kapisa Nangarhar in Afghanistan),
Palula, Shina, Tirahi, Torwali and Wotapuri and a variety of minor languages.

The Darada people of the region are the least explored. Mainstream Pakistanis do not know about the unique
identity, culture and languages of these people. No mainstream research by Pakistani scholars is available on
them. The only exception was the late Dr. Ahmad Ahsan Dani who did some archaeological research in the
Karakorum Range.

The term ‘Dardic’ was first used by Dr. Gottlieb Welhem Lietner in his book “Dardistan” published in 1889. He
called the land from Kashmir to Afghanistan including northern Pakistan ‘Dardistan’ while the people as
“Dards”—a persianized word meaning ‘pain’ for what is termed as Dadikai by Herodotus in fifth century BC. It
was ‘Darada’ of Painni which has been translated as ‘People of the cliffs as almost all the Dardic people were,
and are, confined to mountainous valleys.

Wakhi

Inhabitants of Wakhan. An ethnic group consisting of speakers of the Wakhi language. Also known as Pamiri or
Mountain Tajiks.The religion of the Wakhi Tajiks is Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslim, being followers of Prince
Karim Aga Khan. The literacy rate among Wakhi Tajiks in the northern areas of Pakistan is about 60%
. In Pakistan, the central organization of Wakhi Tajiks is the Wakhi Tajik Cultural Association Pakistan
(WTCA), an organization that is working with the Pakistani Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Lok Virsa
Pakistan.

The WTCA aims to preserve the Wakhi Tajiki language and culture and to record its poetry and music. The
WTCA has arranged more than twenty programmes since 1984, including cultural shows, musical nights, large-
scale musical festivals with the collaboration of Lok Virsa Pakistan, Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan
(AKCSP), and Pakistan Television.

In 2000, the WTCA won a "Best Programme" organizer award in the Silk Road Festival from the President of
Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.

Located in the Upper Hunza region, Gojal is geographically the largest Tehsil of the Northern Areas of Pakistan
and borders the Xinjiang-Uighur region of China. The Karakorum Highway (KKH) crosses Gojal to go through
the Khunjerab Pass linking Pakistan to China and other Central Asian countries.The population is about 20,000
and the majority speaks Wakhi language; while Burushaski and Domaski languages are also spoken in some
villages. Shimshal, Chiporsun, Sust, Passu, Hussaini, Ghulkin, Morkhon, Shishkat etc are some of the main
valleys of Gojal. Gulmit is the main town and seat of government while Sust is the border check-post and
gateway for Pakistan-China overland trade. The people belong to the Ismaili sect of Shia Islam.

Burusho

The Burusho are a mountain people inhabiting a small number of rocky terraces in the independent Pakistani
states of Hunza and Nagir. The region is mountainous and is characterized by deep valleys carved by the Hunza
River. In 1959 the population of Hunza totaled some 25,000 persons. This figure represents a significant
increase from the figures of 1894 (6,000) and 1934 (15,000).

Religious Beliefs and Practices. The Burusho have been Muslim for more than 300 years. They are adherents of
the Ismaili sect (headed by the Aga Khan) and have made such modifications in religious belief and practice as
to render this system of Islamic belief practicable within their social and environmental setting. No systematized
eschatological system exists among the Burusho. It is generally believed that at some point in the future the
living and the dead will be reunited. Bitaiyo (male and female prognosticators) foretell the future by inhaling
the smoke of burning juniper twigs. No professional priesthood exists among the Burusho. The mir appoints
several literate men as khalifas to officiate at burials, weddings, and naming ceremonies. These individuals do
not perform these duties on a full-time basis. Religious ceremony plays little part in the daily life of the
Burusho. Ritual prayer and fasting are practiced by some. While little is known of pre-Islamic religious
practices, it is believed that at one time sacrifice was offered to the boyo (divinities thought to occupy a place
above the fort at Hini). The communal wedding Ceremony held on 21 December is also an important part of the
Burusho ritual cycle.

Arts. Embroidery and wood carving may be noted as examples of Burusho visual art. Dancing and music (both
being important components of Burusho ceremonial life) are attested. The same can be said of dramatic art,
performances being sponsored on certain special occasions. Burusho oral literature contains folklore
(indigenous and borrowed), anecdotes, and songs.
Medicine. A variety of natural substances (roots, herbs, and bernes) is used for medicinal purposes. Access to
scientific medicine is also available. The belief is still held by some Burusho that supernaturals play a major
role in the cause of human illness. Indigenous medical practitioners are lacking.

Conclusion

Pakistani Culture is very unique in terms of its social and ethical values. These values are something which are
given due importance. This culture revolves around the religion of Islam which teaches equality among every
human being that exists on this planet. Pakistan's culture is very diverse. It has been invaded by many different
people belonging to different races. These people include the white Huns, Persian Arabs, Turks, Mongols, and
various Eurasian groups. These groups differ in their way of dressing, food, religion. Pakistani culture consists
of different cultures starting from the Punjabis and sindhis to the tribal cultures of the easternmost Pakistani
provinces. Now these cultures have strongly been influenced by surrounding cultures of India, Central Asia and
the Middle East along with other places.

Pakistani society is largely multilingual and multicultural. There are some similarities than differences that can
be found as most Pakistanis belong to Aryan heritage. Like sindhis and Punjabis obviously have a language
difference. Traditional family values are known everywhere in this multicultural environment. The rural areas
of Pakistan are still dominated by their own tribal customs dating back hundreds of years.