Urdu folklore is a gateway to understanding the culture and language. By definition, folklore encompasses the culture—the beliefs, customs, and traditions—that have been passed down through generations.
Similarly, Urdu folk culture is widely prevalent in Pakistan, where people lovingly embrace and practice their customs and traditions. It is divided into five prominent features that predominantly reflect the values and mythology associated with the culture. So, let’s look at these five Urdu folk features and explore how they can also help in mastering the Urdu language.
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5 Features That Reflect Urdu Folk Traditions
We all know that Pakistan is divided into four provinces, each with its unique folklore, language, and regional traditions. We can safely say that Punjab has Punjabi folklore, Sindh has Sindhi folklore, and so on. Yet, since Urdu is the official language of Pakistan, Urdu folklore is, in fact, common throughout the country. Considering this, the following are the five most prominent features that reflect Urdu folk traditions:
1. Folk Music – Lok Moseeqi (لوک موسیقی)
What’s life without music? Every generation has its own music and sounds, which are enjoyed and danced to by their respective age groups. As for me, I love ancient or Urdu folk songs the most. It’s the lyrics, rhythmic sounds, and the feeling of nostalgia that keep me hooked. Additionally, some Urdu folk songs incorporate Punjabi elements and are especially beloved in Pakistan. Some of my favorite Urdu folk songs are “Jugni,” “Dholki songs” or “Tappe,” “Sadaa Chiryan Da Chamba Ae,” “Abhi Tw Me Jawan Hn,” and “Man Kunto Maula” by Abida Parveen. There are many more traditional songs that are popular, particularly those composed based on Urdu poetry.
2. Folktales – Dastanen (داستانیں)
Other than Folk songs, Urdu folktales and myths are also essential features of Urdu folk, providing a way to convey wisdom, cultural values, and lessons. As folk tales straightforwardly convey societal norms and moral teachings, they are loved and read by all generations. You can find these stories in children’s fairy tales or hear them from your elders. For example, you can read the tales of Sohni Mahiwal, Heer Ranjha, and Mulla Nasruddin.
3. Art And Handicraft – Hunar Aur Fanoon (ہنر اور فنون)
Art and handicrafts hold great importance in Urdu folk culture. They not only reflect creativity but also signify the skills and rich heritage passed down through generations. Art in Pakistani folklore is diverse, ranging from intricate embroidery like phulkari to delicate Truck Art. In terms of handicrafts, pottery, carpet making, and weaving are predominant contributions to Urdu folk culture. Pottery, in particular, is very common in the Punjab region of Pakistan. As an Urdu language learner, exploring art and handicrafts can be beneficial, helping you connect with the language and Urdu folk culture, which you may encounter extensively on your next visit to Pakistan.
4. Traditional Festivals – Rawayati Tehwar (روایتی تہوار)
Urdu traditional and religious festivals are not just events but occasions to express folk culture and traditions. For instance, during festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, people engage in folk customs, music, and dances. The same goes for festivals like the Urs of Sufi saints, which are held annually at their respective shrines. During these events, folk songs, dances, and other cultural expressions are common and vividly reflect Urdu folk culture.
5. Proverbs And Idioms – Muhaavrey Aur Zarb Alamsaal (محاورے اور ضرب الامثال)
In addition to songs, art, and folktales, idioms and proverbs form a significant part of Pakistani folklore. Urdu-speaking people often use folk phrases and proverbs in daily conversations, usually referencing historical events, teachings, or folktales. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Pakistanis love to use proverbs and idioms more than ordinary words. By learning these folk expressions, you can communicate more like a native. Moreover, they are specific, catchy, and easy to memorize. To give you an idea, let’s look at some examples of folk proverbs and idioms that also reflect cultural values:
| Figurative Meaning | Literal Meaning | Urdu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Something insignificant given in a comparatively large situation | A small thing in the mouth of a camel | اونٹ کے منہ میں زیرہ | Oont ke mun main zeera |
| Do good without expecting anything | Do good and throw it in the river | نیکی کر دریا میں ڈال | Naiki kar darya main daal |
| Power often dictates control or ownership | The one with the stick owns the buffalo | جس کی لاٹھی اس کی بھینس | Jiski lathi uski bhens |
| The behavior of a guilty person reveals his guilt | A straw in the thief’s beard | چور کی داڑھی میں تنکا | Chor ki daarhi main tinka |
| Once bitten, twice shy. | A person burned by milk even blows on buttermilk before drinking | دودھ کا جلا چھاچھ بھی پھونک پھونک کر پیتا ہے | Doodh ka jala chahch bhi phoonk phoonk kar peeta hai |
How Can You Learn Urdu Through Urdu Folk Traditions And Culture?
Urdu folk traditions and culture are a fun and interactive way to learn the Urdu language as a beginner. It combines the entertainment, linguistics, and culture together. In this way, you can easily learn the language without getting bored. You can follow the following steps to make the best of the Urdu folk traditions and culture.
Urdu folk traditions and culture offer a fun and interactive way to learn the Urdu language as a beginner. They combine entertainment, linguistics, and cultural elements, allowing you to learn the language without getting bored. To make the most of Urdu folk traditions and culture, you can follow these steps:
- Start by listening to simple Urdu folk songs. For example, you can listen to Nahid Akhtar’s song “Sawan ke din aaye,” written during the monsoon season. The repetitive phrases make it easy to follow the rhythm and help you learn seasonal vocabulary and expressions of joy. You can also listen to the patriotic Urdu folk song “Watan ki mitti gawah rehna” to learn words related to patriotism, sacrifice, and the homeland.
- Next, explore Urdu folk tales or folklore, which offer a mix of rich vocabulary and cultural wisdom. Stories like Heer Ranjha and Mulla Nasruddin are excellent examples. These stories will help you expand your vocabulary, familiarize yourself with sentence structures, and gain insights into Pakistani culture. You can also read children’s stories or other folk literature for additional resources.
- Memorizing traditional Urdu proverbs and idioms is another effective way to learn the language. They help convey thoughts succinctly and add a sense of wisdom and intellect to your speech.
- Once you have built a good foundation of Urdu vocabulary, it’s time to practice the language. You can do this conveniently by interacting with the community. Engage in retelling folktales or myths, use witty Urdu phrases and proverbs when communicating with friends, or sing along to Urdu songs as you listen. This approach will help you learn the Urdu language quickly and interactively, deepening your appreciation for the rich Urdu folk culture and traditions.
How Do You Say Folk In Urdu?
The Urdu word for Folk is لوک (lok). This word refers to the traditional or folk culture. Besides this, folk word has another meaning, which is لوگ, pronounced as log. Other Urdu words for folk related to this meaning are قوم (qoum) or قبیلہ (qabeela).
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Urdu Folk
1. What Is Arabic Folk Music Called?
There are different terms that are used to refer to Arabic folk music in a broader sense. This is because music varies across the Arab world, so there isn’t any universal name to call Arabic folk music. So, you can call Arabic Folk music as follows, depending on the context:
- شعبي (Sha’abi) – This word means “of the people,” so it is generally used to refer to Arabic folk music. Yet, originally, it is the name of the Egyptian music genre, known for its traditional music blended with modern sounds. It is, therefore, popular across different Arab regions.
- موشح (Muwashah) – It is the name of classical, folk Arab or Andulasian music and also refers to Arabic poetry.
- زجل (Zajal) – It is the name of an oral strophic poetry, popular in Lebanese or Levantine Arab.
- مزمار (Mizmar) – It refers to the traditional music especially popular in Saudi Arabia. It is also the name of a double-reed wind musical instrument in Arab.
2. What Is The Difference Between Indian Urdu And Pakistani Urdu?
In India, Urdu shares much of its vocabulary with Sanskrit, while in Pakistan, Urdu shares more with Persian and Arabic. Despite this, the two versions of the language have only minor differences in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation. The vocabulary and pronunciation of some words in Indian Urdu are influenced by Hindi and Indian culture.
In contrast, Pakistani Urdu is more influenced by Islamic traditions and rituals. However, both use the same script, the Nastaliq script. In short, Urdu is a لشکری lashkari language—a language of tribes—that is a mixture of seven languages, including Persian, Arabic, Hindi, and Sanskrit. Thus, Indian Urdu and Pakistani Urdu vary only slightly under the influence of their respective cultures.
3. What Is The Meaning Of Legend In Urdu?
The meaning of Legend in Urdu is داستان (dastan) or افسانہ (afsaana). We use both these words to refer to a legend, depending on the context. For instance, the Dastan term is typically used in the context of long historical or mythical stories; afsaana generally refers to short stories or tales that are fictional or exaggerated. Moreover, in Urdu, Legend or legends is also written and pronounced as لیجنڈ (legend), borrowed directly from English. It is used to refer to someone who is greatly admired for his heroic achievements.
As an example, you can use these words in sentences as:
- Legend: He is a cricket field’s great legend whom the world will always remember. وہ کرکٹ کے میدان کا ایک عظیم لیجنڈ ہے، جسے دنیا ہمیشہ یاد رکھے گی۔ (wo cricket ke maidan ka ek azeem legend hai, jisy dunia hamesha yaad rakhe gi).
- Dastan: The love story of Sheerin and Farhad has been famous for centuries. شیرین اور فرہاد کی محبت کی داستان صدیوں سے مشہور ہے۔ (Sheereen or farhad ki muhabbat ki dastaan sadion se mashoor hai).
- Afsaana: In his short story, the reflection of life’s bitterness can be seen. اس کے افسانے میں زندگی کی تلخیوں کا عکس نظر آتا ہے۔ (Iske afsane main zindagi ki talkhiyon ka aks nazar ata hai).
Explore More About The Urdu Culture!
Nonetheless, there’s still much more to explore when it comes to Urdu culture and traditions, as people in Pakistan religiously follow customs and rituals. As a result, folk culture is deeply rooted among Urdu-speaking people.
However, to accurately understand different aspects of Urdu folk culture, you need to know the basics at least, to extract the maximum benefit from it. For this purpose, the Ling app is here to make your Urdu language learning easy and inclusive. It ensures this by providing interactive exercises, quizzes, and a vast range of basic Urdu daily life vocabulary for its language enthusiasts.
