Culture & Society of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

1. Culture & Society of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

2. FLAG OF KPK

3. MAP OF KPK

4. INTRODUCTION
• Formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)
• Located in the north-west of the country.
• Khyber Pass links the province to Afghanistan.
• The Kohala Bridge in Bakote Abbottabad is a major crossing point
over the Jhelum River in the east.
• Established: July 1, 1970
Capital: Peshawar
Area: 74,521 sq.km
Population: 22,000,000 Estimated
Density: 300 Sq. km
• The main ethnic group in the province is Pashtuns; other smaller
ethnic groups include most notably the Hazarewals and Chitralis.
Language

5. LANGUAGES
• Urdu (national)
• Pashto (provincial)
• English (official)
• Regional languages:
Pashto, Hindko, Khowar, Kalami, Torwali,Shina, Saraiki, Gujari,
Maiya, Bateri,Kalkoti, Chilisso, Gowro, Kalasha-
mondr,Palula, Dameli, Gawar-
Bati, Yidgha,Burushaski, Kyrgyz, Wakhi

6. PaShtO
• Dominant language of the Province .
• Belongs to the Irani branch of the Aryan family of languages.
• It has two main dialects: a 'softer' dialect and a 'harsher'
dialect.
• The softer/Pashto dialect: southwestern and southeastern
dialects.
• The harsher/Pakhto dialect: northwestern (also called central)
and northeastern dialects.
• Pashto is spoken as a first language by 15.5% (28-30 millions)
of Pakistanis, mostly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in
Balochistan as well.
• The Pashto has rich written literary traditions as well as an oral
tradition.

7. PASHTO CULTURE& HERITAGE
• “ Pathan is not merely a race but in fact a state of mind there
is a pathan inside every mind”
• Based on Islam and Pashtunwali (an ancient way of life).
• Culture highlighted since the time of Alexander the Great in
around 330 BC.
• Has come under little outside influence.

8. Pashtunwali
• Code of conduct.
• “Pashtuns believe that their social code produces men, who are
superior to those produced under the Western model, and they
have no desire to have a new social system imposed on them by
outsiders” (Thomas H. Johnson and M. Chris Mason, “No Sign Until
the Burst of Fire”, p. 61).
• Main components of Pashtunwali
Melmastia (hospitality)
Badal (to seek justice or take revenge against the wrongdoer)
Nanawatai (sanctuary) to seek refuge in the house of another,
seeking asylum against his enemies
A Pashtun at all times is expected to defend his land, family,
women and property against invaders.

9. Cont..
• Other main components of Pashtunwali
• Tureh (bravery)
• Sabat (loyalty); towards one friends and family and members of the
tribe
• Imandari (righteousness); striving for goodness both in word and in
deed
• Ghairat (courage/honour); at all times a Pashtun must display
courage
• Namus (sexual honour of women)
• Nang (honour)
• The list is still not complete . However, it clearly describes the
values that govern the ‘Proud Pathan’. Pashtunwali is not a
legal code as we see. It is more a code of honour by which a
Pashtun will live by - and die for!

10. JIRGA SYSTEM
• Assembly of tribal elders.
• Take decision on issues based on consensus.
• Disputes between two or more people are heard by this
Council of Elders.
• In tribal regions, the jirga is still used as a court for criminal
offences.

11. Pashtunwali cont..
• The Pashtuns have relied on a code as old as time itself to
conduct themselves as individuals and as a society in their
dealings between themselves and with others.
• Pashtunwali has succeeded, in establishing a uniform code of
conduct in a society.
• Understanding Pashtunwali does not offer the map to control
Pashtun tribes.

12. LITERATURE
• Pashto-speakers have long had a tradition of oral literature,
including proverbs, stories, and poems. Written Pashto literature
saw a rise in development in the 17th century mostly due to poets
like Khushal Khan Khattak (1613–1689), who, along with Rahman
Baba (1650–1715), is widely regarded as among the greatest Pashto
poets.
• The first Pashto teaching text was written during the period of
Ahmad Shah Durrani (1722-1772)by Pir Mohammad Kakerr with the
title of Ma'refa al- Afghāni ("Introduction of Afghani [Pashto]").
• First grammar book of pashto verbs was written in 1805 titled Riāz
al-Muhabat ("Training in Affection") by Nawab Mohabat khan.
• Another book of pashto words entitled Ajayeb al-Lughat (Wonders
of languages) was written by Nawabullah yar khan in 1808

13. PASHTO POETS
• Some notable poets from the region of KPK include:
Amir kror suri
Khushal khan khattak
Rahman baba
Abasin yousafzai
Ahmad shah durrani
Ghulam Muhammad tarsi
Ghani khan.
• Pashtun men usually gather at special events and listen to
Pashto poetry.

14. Khushal Khan Khattak
• Khushal Khan Khattak (1613-89), was the chief of the Khattak
tribe, and also a great warrior poet. He wrote excellent poetry
in Pashto about things such as unity, honor, war, love, and
everyday life. He also wrote about philosophy , ethics religion,
jurisprudence, medicine, sports and falconry. His poetry is still
widely read.
• “ A deceptive heart is destructive specially if its heart of a
leader, such a leader defame himself and destroys the
nation”.

15. Dress
• Pathan men usually wear shalwar
kameez with Turban. This Turban
is a symbol of honour for them.
• Males usually wear Kufi ,
Kandahari cap , Lungi (turban of
honour), Pakol as traditional
headgear.
• Leaders mostly wear a karakul
hat.

16. Cont..
• Many women wear a embroided
kameez which contain a lot of
glass work on it. They also tend to
make hand made jewelry which is
appreciated all over the world.
• Famous footwear of pathan is
Peshawari chappal.

17. MARRIAGE SYSTEM
• Arranged marriages are usually the only choice for the rural
people but also very common among those living in urban
areas.
• Wadah (marriage) as a general rule, is arranged by parents in
Pashtun society and the boy and the girl themselves do not
play any role in the negotiations. This is because of the fact
that Pashtuns are conservative by nature.
• Due to this conservatism, it becomes impossible for the boy to
choose a girl for himself.

18. RELIGIOUS LIFE
• The Pukhtoons are deeply religious .
• The Pukhtoons are punctual in offering their daily prayers and
observance of fast during the month of Ramadan.
• The holy men, Saints, Sayyids and Mains are held in deep
reverence.

19. FAMILY SYSTEM
• An attractive feature of the Pukhtoons way of life is the joint
family system.
• Which signifies their deep love for the family's solidarity and
welfare.
• The desire of communal life emanates from a consideration of
economic security and integrity.

20. RESPECT FOR ELDERS
• The Pukhtoons children are taught to show a great degree of
respect to their parents and elders .
• Senior members of the family, particularly elders, command
great respect.
• Parents are properly looked after in old age and every effort is
made to provide them with all possible comforts.

21. FOLK MUSIC AND DANCES
• Traditional Pashto music is mostly classic ghazals, using
• Rubab
• Sitar
• Tabla
• Harmonium
• Flute and several other musical
instruments.
• Today's modern Pashto music is influenced by neighboring
music such as Bollywood films as well as western or European.

22. TYPES OF DANCES
• Attan dance Folk dance
of Pashtuns tribes of Pakistan
including the unique styles
of Quetta and Waziristan.
• Khattak dance
• Mahsud Attan (Dance)
• Waziri dance
• Chitrali dance
• Gumhar and Gatka popular
dance of hazara division

23. CRAFTS
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not famous just for its natural beauty,
but also for its handicraft work.
• The products of KPK are very famous all over the country, and
also exported to the other countries.
• Handmade products that include,
• Woodwork Chappal making
• Stones jewelry Vessels of brass and copper
• Fine hand woven Woolen fabrics
• Leather work Hand knotted rugs
• Carpets, caps made of mountain sheep wool

25. CUISINE/FOOD
• Pashtun Cuisines are strongly influenced by the rich cultural
surroundings of the region.
• Traditionally, northwestern Pakistan is the region of the
country, which is a population of hardworking and devoted
individuals who value the importance of a good eating.
• Famous Items:
 Tikkah
 Sugi ka halwa
 Kahwa
 Chapali kabab
 Kabali pulao
 Special long naans
 Saag Roti of jawar(maize). And many more.

27. SPORTS
• Kabaddi
• Polo
• Naiza bazi
• Horse ridding
• Perzawal (proud of their strength of arms, Pukhtoons are fond of
field sports. In the early stage of his life, a child measures his
strength with his compatriots in wrestling bouts called Perzowal)
• Cricket is also played a lot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has created
world-class sportsmen like Shahid Khan Afridi Younus Khan, and
many more. Besides producing cricket players, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
has the honour of being the birthplace of many world-class squash
players, including greats like Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan.

28. Conclusion
Other than the diversity of cultures, KPK people are
very hospitable and loving .
They appreciate the arrival of guests at their place and tend to
be very mehmaan nawaz.