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A
woman
from Kafiristan
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Pakistan
is an ethnic melting pot, a refreshing and interesting mix of many cultures and
traditions from different parts of the sub-continent. From the local inhabitants
of the four provinces — Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and Frontier — to the
immigrants from India at the time of partition and later, Pakistan is a
kaleidoscope of people that represent this "Land of the Pure". Though
Urdu is the national language, the many other tongues and dialects are spoken
freely. From the sweet-sounding Sindhi to the strong tones of Punjabi and Pushtu,
each language is unique. Furthermore, the Gujrati and Urdu spoken by immigrants
from India are no less culturally endowed.
The
different traditions that come with the various ethnic backgrounds give this
country a colorful and exciting look. The Sindhis that come from the desert are
a people of great hospitality. Be he an affluent zamindar (landowner), or a poor
farmer, host allows his visitor or guest to leave without a glass of goat milk
or tea. The embroidery of the area is beautiful and exquisite with mirror-work
done by the women. In the drier parts, the people that live in the Thar Desert
lead a semi-nomadic life in their quest for water. Their women wear a riot of
vibrant colors and glass bangles up to the elbow. The tie-dyed chunri of the
area is indeed a work of art. Cotton fabric is tied into small knots and dyed
several times in different colors.
Punjab,
the "Land of Five Rivers" is steeped in Mogul architecture and the
remnants of a glorious past by rulers of the sub-continent. The Lahore Fort is a
reminder of how the Mogul rulers brought their Persian influence and riches to
the land centuries ago.
Lassi, sweetened buttermilk, is offered to every visitor to a Punjabi home. The
area is known for its beautiful intricately patterned pottery that can adorn any
home.
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The
different traditions give this country a colorful and
exciting look
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The
Punjabis are a fun-loving people. Lahore's world-famous Basant or Kite Festival
to herald spring is an event much loved and enjoyed by locals and visitors from
abroad. Colorful kites fill the skies and the occasion offers the best of food,
shopping and excitement for people of all ages. The streets are a spectacle of
fun and festivities, with all kinds of local delights sold. Everyone is
beautifully dressed in the colors of the season and a delightful mix of reds,
oranges, yellows and mustards greets the
onlooker. The kite or patang is the main theme in this week-long festival.
The Balochis are a fiercely tribal lot. They guard their age-old traditions with
pride and honor.
Rhythmic
and song-loving are the people that live along the Makran coast. They mainly
rely on fishing for their livelihood. A Makrani boatman is adept at preparing a
delicious meal of fish or prawns on his vessel to the delight of any visitor.
The
Pathans from the Frontier province are brave, tall and muscular people, much
like the Afghans that they share their border with. They are sensitive, loyal
and hard working. Their traditional Khatak dance, (sword dance) holds many
spellbound with the dexterity displayed in handling the shiny deadly weapon.
Participants wear loose shalwars and swirling kurtas to enhance the effect and
enable their complex moves with ease.
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The
traditional Khatak dance
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Taking
to the hills in the north to view the beautiful mountains and experience the
true ethnic flavor of the mountain people is an enriching experience both in
mind and body. Whether one takes off from the city of Peshawar for Swat for the
beautiful Kaghan Valley, or goes up to the
legendary lake of Saif-ul-Muluk, the beauty of the area is simply breathtaking
and the people of the north are a pleasure to be with. They echo the essence of
the region with their stories of fairies and princes. Traditionally, they are
excellent craftsmen of silver and metal and the jewelry of the area, encrusted
with semi-precious stones, is a collector’s item. They are also famous for
intricate woodcarvings on furniture and doors. Moreover, the pashmina and woolen
shawls, all hand-embroidered with
the finest of threads, are treasures to own.
The
mountains are home to another unique tribe in an area called Kafiristan. The
people are unique in their religion and way of life, which has remained
unchanged for many centuries. The women wear elaborate headdresses and necklaces
worked with colorful beads and wear elegant long robes. They are a friendly and
happy band of individuals with their tribal dances and customs partaken of by
many visitors to the region.
The
best place to experience this potpourri of diverse cultures is the metropolitan
city of Karachi. People from all parts of the country reside here. One can see a
Makrani racing his donkey-cart right next to the latest Lexus or Mercedes on the
roads.
The
variety of people that live in this small but proud nation is not limited to
culture alone but also religion. Though Islam is the prevalent religion,
Christians, Hindus and Parsi (Zoroastrian) communities also reside here and
practice their religion freely and celebrate all their important festivals with
great fervor. Be it Christmas, Divali or Navroze, each festival is celebrated
and respected.
The Pakistani wedding is another striking feature of this land and the many
festivals and rituals of the traditional wedding, or shadi, are equaled by none
other in the world. From the first occasion of the mayun — when the bride is
blessed by the elders, clothed in pale saffron or simple yellow clothes a week
beforehand — to the final valima (post-wedding dinner hosted by the groom),
each function is rich in ethnic flavor. After the mayun, during which a yellow
paste of sandalwood, turmeric and other herbs is mixed with rosewater and
applied to the bride-to-be, the most enjoyable occasion of the entire ceremony
takes place, which is the mehndi ceremony. The bride-to-be now changes to green,
the original color of henna. The air is filled with the exotic scents of roses,
henna and perfume, and with the resounding beat of the dholki, mingled with
songs and laughter. Garlands, bouquets and rose petals adorn every corner. The
rukhsati or wedding day dawns with preparations of the great feast and for the
bride to look her very best on her last day at her parent’s house.
The
Pakistani bride, no matter which cultural background she comes from, is famous
for her elaborate and exquisite dress and jewelry. The long flowing dupatta or
veil is heavily worked with painstaking patterns in sequins, beads, and gold or
silver thread. The long skirt is made of traditional silk or brocade. The
jewelry consists of the traditional nath (nose ring) and the forehead is adorned
with a tika along
with all the other adornments. The traditional color is red, but any other color
is also acceptable. Brides may also wear a sari or shalwar kurta according to
the family tradition.
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Hand-embroidered
textiles are treasures
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The
average wedding hosts anywhere from 500 to 1,000 guests due to the close family
ties that are part of the culture. As fiting the mood, the food is the most
delicious of meals. From the aromatic and tasty blend of the traditional
barbecue kababs and parathas, to the crisp seafood and famous spicy, saffron
rice called biryani, each dish is a treat for the palate.
Aside
from the regular menus, each community also prepares its own special recipes and
customs during the ceremonies. The Parsis excel in the unique preparation of
fish in banana leaves; the Bohras, immigrants from India, boast the best crispy
fried chicken; the Sindhis have their own delicious biryani; and the Punjabis
prepare an interesting curry of chicken and chick peas called murgh chola, to
name just a few.
One of the most important religious events is `Ashura' on the
10th of Muharram,
which is observed with great solemnity to pay respects to the great sacrifice of
Imam Hussayn, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be
upon him). Another one, `Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan
and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Glass bangles glitter on women’s
wrists and sweet meats adorn every dining table. The traditional sheer khurma,
which is vermicelli prepared in milk with almonds, pistachios and saffron, is a
treat worth waiting for. Additionally, ‘Eid al-Ad-ha, is also celebrated to
evoke Islamic values of sacrifice and obedience to Allah.
With
all their ethnic and cultural diversity, Pakistanis are significantly patriotic.
No matter what their differences are, they share a common bond, which is a land
they all share and love.
