Pakistan’s traditions and rituals are very diverse and vibrant, fusing historical and regional aspects. In other words, Pakistani culture blends several elements that reflect its socio-cultural aspects. In this blog, we will look at these key elements that highlight Pakistan’s traditions and rituals. We will also explore related vocabulary in Urdu to let you experience the beauty of Pakistani culture in its national language.
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Popular Elements Of Pakistan Traditions And Rituals
Pakistan, a country located in South Asia, blends several ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, etc. Each group equally contributes to Pakistan’s rich culture, and it is this common culture that holds them together as a nation. Following are the key elements of Pakistan’s Traditions and rituals.
Traditional Dresses
Shalwar Kameez – شلوار کمیز
It is the national dress of Pakistan, worn by both men and women. As per cultural background, the کمیز kameez is a long tunic, and the شلوار shalwar is a baggy trouser. However, modern trends have significantly affected Pakistani fashion, and various dressing styles have been introduced into the fashion world. Pakistan Fashion Design Council also arranges fashion week in big cities like Karachi and Lahore to showcase their talent. Nonetheless, traditional shalwar kameez styles partnered with regional fashion are still popular among some Pakistanis, if not the whole population.
Dupatta – دوپٹہ
It is a long scarf worn by Pakistani women on shalwar kameez. In fact, women who don’t wear dupattas are considered بے حیا behaya in some old-school- دقیانوسی (daqyanoosi) regions of Pakistan. On the other hand, some elites consider wearing dupatta middle class. Nonetheless, Sindhis – both men and women – also wear ajrak as a symbol of their native tradition.
Sherwani And Lehnga – لہنگا / شیروانی
These are also South Asian attires, specifically worn on weddings or related occasions. Men wear sherwani شیروانی, and women wear lehenga لہنگا. Additionally, Pakistani brides wear red lehenga at their weddings as a tradition. Nonetheless, these Pakistani dresses combine traditional and modern trends and symbolize the native tradition and culture of the Urdu people.
Cultural Festivals
Eid-ul-Fitr
It is celebrated on the 1st of Shawal after the holy month of Ramadan. It is one of the religious festivals of Muslims and is widely celebrated in Pakistan with communal prayers, Eid wishes, sweet dishes, and Pakistani food. Elders also give Eidi to their younger ones on this day.
Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice, is another religious festival celebrated on the 10th of Zilhaj. It is basically to show respect to Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) for his willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah’s order. On this day, the Muslims perform the ritual of slaughtering animals and distributing meat to the needy.
Patriotic Days
Pakistanis also celebrate Independence Day – یومِ آزادی (youm-e-azadi) on 14th August, Pakistan Day on 23rd March, and Defence Day on 6th September with sheer patriotism. These are also considered national holidays in Pakistan and are an integral part of Pakistan’s traditions and rituals.
Pakistani Cuisine
It won’t be wrong to say that Urdu food is the only thing that binds Pakistani culture together, apart from the national language. Surprisingly, Pakistani cooking is heavily influenced by South Asian, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine and therefore is also widely popular there. Specifically, Biryani, Nihari, and Haleem are the most famous cuisines. Staple food like rice, lentil, and bread (naan and roti) are part of everyday life cuisine. It is either served plain or cooked in spices, depending on personal preference. In sweet dishes, kheer, jalebi, gulab jamun, and halwas are the most popular.
Pakistani Culture’s Hospitality
Hospitality plays a central role in Pakistani culture. Pakistanis treat their guests with so much respect and generosity. For instance, Chai چائے and lassi لسّی are served religiously to guests. It is often accompanied by biscuits or sweets- مٹھائی (mithai) as a goodwill gesture.
Folk Culture Of Pakistani Music And Sufi Saints
Another integral element of Pakistan’s culture is music. Today, Pakistani music ranges from traditional songs like Qawali and Ghazals to modern tunes. Some Pakistani singers also blend traditional and Western music together. For example, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Mustt Mustt” and “Pasoori” smoothly blend traditional Qawwali and modern Western tunes. Additionally, most Pakistani songs are composed of Sufi poetry, like Abida Parveen’s song Laghzish-e-Mastana, which is based on Bedam Shah Warsi’s poetry, who is one of the renowned Sufi poets.
How Do You Say Traditions And Rituals In The Urdu Language?
In Urdu, we collectively say ‘traditions and rituals’ as رسم و رواج (rasam o rawaj). Yet, as they are two different terms, they also have individual Urdu words. The meaning of tradition in Urdu is روایات (riwayat), رواج (rawaj) or رسومات (rasoomat). On the other hand, the Urdu word for Rituals is دستور (dastoor).
Vocabulary Related To Pakistan Traditions And Rituals
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage | ورثہ | wirsa |
| Beliefs | عقائد | aqaid |
| Customs | رسومات | rasoomat |
| Values | اقدار | iqdar |
| Practices | روایتی عمل | rawayati amal |
| Folklore | داستانیں | dastanain |
Common Questions About Pakistan Traditions And Rituals
1-What Religion Dominates Pakistan?
Islam is the main religion in Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan is the Islamic Republic as per the 1973 constitution. So, you will find the majority of Muslims in Pakistan, apart from other minorities. Plus, Islam is further divided into sub-sects like Shia Islam and Sunni Islam, and these two further divide into different schools of thought.
2-Can Muslims Have Dogs?
Several Muslims have different views regarding having dogs. Generally, Muslims can have dogs for security and hunting but aren’t allowed inside the home or as pets due to the aspect of cleanliness and purity in Islam.
3-What Is The Etiquette For Eating In Pakistan?
Pakistanis have cultural and religious etiquette for eating. Following this etiquette is considered very esteemed in Pakistani society. For instance, they eat with their right hand after saying bismillah. They wait for their elders to sit and eat first and end by saying Alhumdulillah and thanking the host.
To thank the host, you can say ‘Thanks for your love and hospitality’ as آپ کی اِس محبت اور مہمان نوازی کا شکریہ (apki is muhabbat or mehman nawazi ka bohat shukria) or simply praise the food by saying ‘The food was very delicious’ as کھانا بہت مزیدار تھا (khana bohat mazedar tha).
Closing Words
Language learning can become overwhelming with time, irrespective of the learner’s interest and strong understanding of it. This is generally because it is never-ending, and learning and retaining a myriad of grammar rules can take time and effort. In fact, Pakistan and its official language have diverse cultural and linguistic aspects, making it a bit complex to follow. Considering this, the Ling app offers its language learners the easiest and fun way to learn their preferred language in the comfort of their homes.
In summary, Pakistan’s traditions and rituals showcase a rich and diverse culture filled with history and meaning. Understanding these customs allows us to appreciate the unique beauty of Pakistan and its people.
