Punjabi
Culture
Punjab (the land of
five rivers) is the biggest land area of Pakistan and is popularly known for
its culture. It shares most of its cultural and carnival values with Indian
culture. According to population, 56% of the total population of the country is
situated in Punjab Province. It has a total of 36 districts and contributes
approximately 50-60 % of the economy.
Punjabi Culture is one
of the oldest in world history, dating from ancient antiquity to the modern
era. The scope, history, complexity and density of the culture are vast. Some
of the main areas of the Punjabi culture include: Punjabi cuisine, philosophy,
poetry, artistry, music, architecture, traditions and values and history. Some
cities of Punjab have more importance for Sikh community from India. The
founder of Sikh religion was born in Nankana Sahib, a district of Punjab
so Sikh from different parts of world come and visits Punjab. Jahngir
tomb and Badshahi Masjid in Lahore are the important places of
Pakistan. Data Sahib is very scared place in Punjab and most of the people
come and visit Data sahib every year.
People
Punjabi people are
very warm hearted and fun loving. Punjabis are heterogeneous group comprising
of different tribes, clans, communities and are known to celebrate each and
every tradition of their culture. People of Punjab have strong beliefs on
pir-faqeers, jogi, taweez, manat-ka-dhaga, saint of repute, black magic, and
other
In villages’ people
usually live in small communities (biradaris), however they live in peace and
harmony with each other. They take active part in the happiness/grieve of each
other and give a great deal of respect to their culture, norms and run their
lives according to their set traditions. Punjabi people are famous for their
hospitable and loving nature.
Languages
Punjabi is the
provincial language of Punjab. It is spoken as the first language by majority
people in Punjab, even spoken and understood in areas beyond the confines of
Punjab. Facts and figures show that Punjabi language is spoken as first
language by 44% of Pakistanis. Urdu language is also commonly spoken in this
region. Key Punjabi languages/dialects are:
·
Pothowari
·
Hindko
·
Jhangvi
·
Shahpuri
·
Pahari
·
Majhi
·
Saraiki
Dresses
Costumes of Punjab are an indication of the bright and vibrant
culture and lifestyle of the people.
The costumes are a mix
of colours, comfort and beauty and Punjab is well known for the use of
phulkari(embroidery) in its costumes. In most of the villages of Punjab men
wear Pagri(turban), dhoti/lacha, kurta, khusa. Women wear gharara, or choridar
pajama or colorful shalwar kameez, paranda, choli/duppata, khusa, kola puri
chappal or tillay wali jutti. Whereas in urban areas of Punjab men and women
follow latest trends and fashion, generally they wear different styles of
shalwar kameez.
Cuisine
The extensive cuisine
of Punjab can be vegetarian and non-vegetarian. One commonality between all
Punjabi dishes is the liberal usage of ghee or clarified butter spices and
Punjabis are fond of sweet-meats also. Most Punjabi food is eaten with either
rice or roti. There are some dishes that are exclusive to Punjab such as Mah Di
Dal, Paratha, Makai ki rotti, Saron Da Saag, and in cities Choley, Haleem,
Baryani and other spicy dishes are popular. In beverages, tea is consumed in
all seasons and as a custom most of Punjabis serve tea to their guests. Punjabis
are also fond of Zarda, Gulab-Jamuns, Kheer, Jalaibi,Samosy, Pakorey etc.
During summers people drink lassi, doodh-soda, aloo bokharey ka sharbat,
lemonade etc. These cuisines have become world-wide delicacies with large
scale representation.
Punjabi people have
fanatical interest in sports. Punjabi’s are fond of kabaddi, and wrestling,
which is also popular in other parts of Pakistan and it’s also played on
national level. Other games being played in Punjab region include Gilli-Danda,
Khoo-Khoo,
Yassu-Panju, Pitho-Garam, Ludo, Chuppan-Chupai, Baraf-Panni, Kanchy
and some major sports include cricket, boxing, horse-racing, hockey and
football. National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore is the biggest festival
where sports, exhibitions, and livestock competitions are held.
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Cultural Festivals
There are numerous
festivals which are celebrated by Punjabi people including some religious
festivals such as Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, Jumu’ah, Laylat-ul-Qadr etc. Urcs
(devotional fairs),which are held at the shirnes of sufi saints, Melas and
Nomaish (exhibitions).The Provincial capital Lahore is widely popular for its
entertaining events and activities. Lahori’s are famous all over the country
for their celebrations particularly for Basant festival (kite flying) in
the spring season. Other festivals celebrated in Punjab region include
Baisakhi, Teej, Kanak Katai etc.
Dance and Music
Bhangra is most
commonly known Punjabi music genre and dance style. Punjabis passionately love
folk
Giddha and Dandiya. Punjabi dances have been embraced by the
American culture and others alike and now
they are one of the most appreciated
art forms.
Birth Rituals
Punjabis celebrate
birth of their child with great enthusiasm. Grandfather or grandmother or some
respected elder member from the family puts honey with their index finger in
child’s mouth called Ghutii. Sweets are distributed among friends and relatives
and people bring gifts for the child and mother. Generally on 7thday child’s head is shaven and Aqiqa ceremony is
held, also sheep/goat is slaughtered.
Punjabi Weddings
Punjabi weddings are
based on traditions and are conducted with strong reflection of the Punjabi
culture
followed by several pre-wedding customs and rituals (dholki,mayun,ubtan
etc.)Punjabi weddings are very loud,
energetic, full of music,colors,
fancy-dresses, food and dancing. Punjabi weddings have many customs and
ceremonies that have evolved since traditional times. In cities the wedding are
celebrated following a blend of modern and traditional customs and the ceremony
generally lasts for 3days, Mehndi, Barat (Nikkah+Ruksati)
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and Walima, followed
by Chauti (bringing the bride back to her parents’ home the next day).
Funeral Rituals
At funerals after
namaz-e-janaza it is customary to offer lunch to people who came for
condolence. On 3rdday of the funeral, Qul is held
and every following thursday the Quran is recited (jumah-e-raat) followed by
prayers for deceased and after 40days the chaliswaan is held. After which the
funeral is over. Some families observe anniversaries yearly (barsi).There is no
formal dress code for Punjabi funerals however people mostly wear shalwar
kameez and casual clothing is observed. Funerals of Shia families are more
intense. Both men and women wear black shalwar-kameez and rigorous crying and
screaming is a common occurrence at such funerals.
Literature
Punjab is very rich
with literature and Sufis adds more in its literature. Punjabi poetry is
renowned for its extremely deep meaning, beautiful and hopeful use of words.
The large number of Punjabi poetry is being translated throughout the world
into many languages. Some famous poets of Punjabi are Sultan Bahu, Mia Mohammad
Baksh, Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Anwar Masood etc. Waris Shah, whose
contribution to Punjabi literature is best-known for his seminal work in Heer
Ranjha, known as Shakespeare of Punjabi language. Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and a
philosopher. The verse from Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi,
a style of Punjabi. Some other popular folk tales of Punjab include
Sassi-Punnu, Sohni Mahiwal etc. that are passing through generations.
Arts and Crafts
for their modern and traditional
designs all over the world and are included in the
best formations of Punjabis.
bone work, textile, cloth woven on handlooms with
stunning prints is
embroidered in the rural-areas and the weavers produce colorful cloths like
cotton,silk etc.
embroidery, weaving, carpets, stone craft, jewelry, metal work
along with truck art and other wood works. The craft of Punjab is its fundamental soul and its craft create its entity.
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