Pakistan; the fusion of multiple cultures (Part One)

Having a rich history, Pakistan has a well-off cultural diversity and the society is mainly multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural.

Pakistani culture is very diverse and this stems from the fact that what is now in the country has in the past been invaded and occupied by many different peoples, including White Huns, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and various Eurasian groups.

There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where indigenous pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices.

Every great nation enjoys its own culture. Similarly, Pakistani culture is very distinct due to its Islamic nature and rich historical background. Pakistani culture has the following characteristics.

Language

This country is in general linguistically varied, and no single language can be said to be common to the entire nation. Each of its principal languages has a strong regional focus. The languages claimed as mother tongue include Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Seraiki, Kashmiri, Brahui, Hindko and Pothohari.

Urdu is the national language and one of two official languages of Pakistan (the other being English). Although only about 8% of Pakistanis speak it as their first language, it is spoken as a second and often third language by almost all citizens of Pakistan.

Pakistan is an importance destination as its main attraction includes adventure tourism in the Northern Areas, cultural and archaeological tourism as found at Taxila, Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Swat, and early Mughal and Muslim heritage of Multan, Lahore, Thatta and Peshawar.

It remains a land full of adventures and natural beauties having peaceful general masses from the mighty Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South.

Literature and Poetry

The fervor for poetry exists at a regional level as well, with nearly all of Pakistan’s provincial languages continuing the legacy. Poetry is a highly respected art in the country and it is mostly written in the Urdu as well as regional languages since the time of partition.

The Urdu language has a rich tradition of poetry and Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal is regarded as the National Poet of the country.

Apart from Urdu poetry, Pakistani poetry also has blends of other regional languages. Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Seraiki, and Pashto poetry have all incorporated and influenced Pakistani poetry.

Continued… … …

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Oct 30 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.