Pakistani Culture
About Pakistan
Pakistan’s culture is enrich in traditions and represents history of this region. Pakistani people and society is unique in its way of life, thoughts and morals. The inhabitants of each province have diverse cultural values which make them different from other groups of the society.
Our Culture:
Pakistan has a rich and unique culture that upholds traditions and conventions. Pakistani culture is rich in variety of dresses; these dresses are very colorful and prominent and give attractive look during national fairs and festivals
Fairs and Festivals:
The culture of Pakistan has great tradition of fairs and festivals. These fairs are held in all parts of the country, Polo festival of Gilgit is prominent at national and international level.
Sports:
Pakistani people are great lovers of sports and games. Modern games like
hockey, cricket, football, badminton, squash, table tennis and lawn
tennis are played throughout the country. Pakistan has produced great
sportsmen in the past.
Tourism:
Pakistan has a burgeoning tourism industry, due to the smorgasbord of
cultures, peoples and landscapes it has to offer. Ancient civilization
ruins of Mohenjodaro, Harappa and Taxila, to the hill stations of
Murree, and the hiking tracks of Shogran and Siri Paaye, all have
something to offer to each type of traveler. The northern parts of
Pakistan have many old fortresses and towers. The Gilgit, Hunza and
Chitral valleys are exceptionally beautiful sights to behold, along with
the people here with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports
like polo and buzkashi.
Religion
Pakistan was formed as an Islamic nation, and Islam continues to be the religion of approximately 95 percent of the population. There are also small groups of Buddhists, Christians, Parsis, and Hindus. The Muslim religion was founded by the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century, when, according to Islamic belief, he received messages from God and wrote them down in what became the Qur'an, the Islamic book that instructs Muslims on how to conduct their lives
During Eid, tribesmen gather around the shrine of Baba Kharwari in Ziarat Valley, and wrestling and marksmanship contests are held. A large number of people visit it regularly to offer sacrifices in memory of the saint.
The Quaid-I-Azam Residency in Ziarat Valley was Ali Jinnah's residence during his last illness and now houses relics of him and is a highly revered sacred site. It was originally built in l882 by the British and used by the agent to the governor as his summer headquarters.
Takht Bhai is one of the holy places of Buddhism. The Buddhist monastery of Takht Bhai stands 500 feet (152 meters) above the plain on the hill. The Buddhists selected this spot to construct a religious complex where the monks and students could pursue their rituals and studies. The main stupa is surrounded on three sides by chapels in which images of both the Buddha and Buddhisattva were installed.
Makli Hill, near Thatta town is where more than one million graves of kings, queens, saints, scholars, philosophers, and soldiers are located. Gravestones and mausoleums are considered masterpieces in stone carving representing different eras and dynasties.
Death and the Afterlife. Shab-I-Barat is also celebrated as a remembrance day of deceased family and friends. Special illumination of the mosques takes place and food is distributed among the poor. It is also a time when children participate in fireworks. After distribution of the food the Qur'an is read and prayers are said; then most Muslims visit cemeteries and put flowers and lights on the graves of deceased family and friends.
Bibliography
Alichin, Bridget, and Alichin, Raymond. The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan, 1982.Cohen, Stephen. Pakistan Army 1998, 1999.
Harrison, Selig. India and Pakistan: The First Fifty Years, 1998.
Hussain, Ishrat. Pakistan: The Economy of an Elitist State, 1999.
Mayhew, Bradley. Lonely Planet Pakistan, 1998.
Mirza, Humayun. From Plassey to Pakistan: The Family History of Iskander Mirza, the First President of Pakistan, 1999.
Mittman, Kevin, and Mittman, Karin. Culture Shock/Pakistan, 1991.
Mumtax, Khawar, and Mitha, Yameema. Pakistan: Tradition and Change, 1996
Shaw, Isobel. Pakistan Handbook, 1996
Sisson, Richard, and Rose, Leo, War and Secession: Pakistan, India and the Creation of Bangladesh, 1991.
Talbot, Ian. Pakistan: A Modern History, 1998.
Williams, Penny; Farooqi, Mukarram; Anis, Rafea; and Khan, Rizwanullah.
Website
Post a Comment