1. Culture of Pakistan
• Definition of Culture
Culture may be defined as behaviour peculiar to human beings, together with
material objects used. Culture consists of language, ideas, beliefs, customs,
codes, institution, tools, techniques, works of arts, ceremonies and so on.
E.B. Taylor defines culture as
the complex whole which include knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and
any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.
According to Allama Iqbal
Culture encompasses all the mental, spiritual and physical activities of a nation. It
includes teh basic beliefs and faith, values and literature, art and architecture,
music and mode of dress, manners and customs prevalent in a given society.
Pakistani Culture is an Islamic Culture
Pakistan is an ideological Islamic State. Its very existence is due to Islam, so the
Pakistani culture is primarily based on the Islamic way of life. All other
ingredients of culture are inspired by Islam. Pakistani culture is highlighted by its
grandeur, simplicity, firm convictions and noble deeds and ideas.
2. Salient Features of Pakistani Culture
The main characteristics of Pakistani culture are as follows:
1. Religious Uniformity
Pakistan came into existence to provide its people a system of life based on Islam. The people, in
spite of some differences of languages, customs and traditions commonly follow one religion of
Islam. This is the religion, which is practiced by all people of Pakistan.
2. Language
A number of languages are spoken in Pakistan. Some of them are Punjabi, Sindhi,Pushto and
Balochi. But Urdu is spoken and understand in all parts of Pakistan. Being the official language, it
is the media of communication between all regions of Pakistan.
3. Literature and Poetry
Literature is an important aspect of our cultural life. Most of our poets reflect Islamic code and
trend in their poetry. They gave the message of love and brotherhood. Similarity of thought
amongst poets and writers of all regions is an important factor of our cultural life.
4. Dress and Diet
Dress is an important menifestation of culture. The regional dresses of Pakistan under go changes
in the light of local traditions, economic condition, way of living and wealth in the region. But in
all Provinces people generally wear Shalwar Kameez.
5. Mixed Culture
Pakistani culture is mixed culture although majority of people are Muslims by birth and faith. But
there is great influence of Hindus and British culture on the present Pakistani society.
6. Male Dominated Society
In Pakistani culture, the male member of the family enjoys the key position. Family is headed by a
male member and in most cases, he is the sole source of income for other members of the family.
3. Salient Features of Pakistani Culture conti…
7. Arts and Architecture
The iconoclasm of Islam has given a characteristic form and pattern in the use of
elegant designs, based on geometric figures and floral forms borrowed from
nature. The Shah Jahan Masjid, Shalimar Garden, Badshahi Masjid, Shahi Qila
and many such graceful buildings are a living proof of the excellent Mughal
architecture.
8. Handicrafts
Embroidery, leather works, glazed pottery, wood work, carpet making, metal
crafts and ivory are the essential parts of our culture. Pakistani craftsmen are
considered as the best in their craftsmenship. They are known for the high
quality works which is very popular in foreign countries.
9. Recreational Activities – Sports
The recreational activities all over the Pakistan are common. The games like
Cricket, Hockey, Football, Kabaddi etc are popular in every part of our country.
These games reflect our cultural identity.
10. Education
Education contributes a great deal in developing national character. Educational
system plays a vital role in the formation of Culture, Unity and Solidarity of a
nation. It is therefore, important that the entire syllabus right from the lower to
higher level should be placed in accordance with the ideology of Pakistan.
4. Salient Features of Pakistani Culture conti…
11. Religious Festivals
Festivals play an important part of our culture. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha are
our two main religious festivals. They are celebrated with great happiness
throughout the country.
12. Islamic Rituals and Religious Festivals
Islamic rituals and festivals play an important part of our culture. The rituals
and festivals are observed with unusual enthusiasm. Obligatory prayers,
fasts during the month of Ramadan and the payment of Zakat prescribed by
Islam are being observed almost everywhere. Statistics reveal that Paksitanis
attendance at Hajj is usually very high. The enthusiasm with which Pakistani
families celebrate religious festivals is a inspirational spectacle. Eid-ul-Fitr
and Eid-ul-Azha are our two main religious festivals. They are celebrated
with great happiness throughout the country.
13. Ulema, Mushaikh and Sufi Poets
Ulema, Mushaikh and Sufi Poets occupy an honoured place in our cultural
aspect of life. Sufis like Lal Shahbaz, Data Ganj Baksh, Shah Abdul latif,
Sachal Sarmast, Hazrat Sultan Bahu and Waris Shah rendered meritorious
services for the spread of Islam in the Sub Continent.
5. Conclusion
Culture which includes religion, literature art,
architecture, dresses, music, manners and
customs has its roots in the Islamic culture.
Islam has described the rights and duties of
every individual. Even in drinking, eating and
dressing, we have to observe certain rules
prescribed by Islam. So it may be said that
Pakistani culture represents the true picture
of Islamic culture.
6. The rural and urban societies/communities in Pakistan.
• Rural Societies
Pakistan is an agriculture country and 80% of its people form the rural population
of the country. The villages, towns and small cities form the rural areas of
Pakistan. Their main profession is cultivation and ploughing. The entire
population of Pakistan is scattered and resides in villages, towns and big cities.
They pursue different professions to earn their livelihood. Village is the most
important and pivotal centre of rural life of Pakistan. Our villages badly lack in
civic amenities. There is no proper system of drainage. The drinking water and
electricity are not available in a large number of our villages. There are no
hospitals, schools, post offices and markets in most of the villages making the life
difficult and unhygienic. The village population, due to the difficult living
environs in the villages, keeps on migrating to urban areas where better facilities
of social life and brighter chances of earning sustenance are available.
However, the Government is very much alive to the problems of rural areas. The
Government is making sincere endeavours to improve the conditions of rural
areas. Modern facilities of health and communication are being provided in the
rural areas. Roads, dispensaries, schools, post offices and shopping centres have
been provided at Government level. The facility of drinking water and electricity
has been made available to a number of villages.
7. The rural and urban societies/communities in Pakistan.
•
Urban Societies
Urban areas in Pakistan completely differ from rural areas in the life pattern. The
urban areas are the centre of social life with greater facilities and amenities of
life.
The urban population of Pakistan represents about a third of the total. Two cities
have a dominating position - Karachi and Lahore. Since the 1960s, government
policy has been directed towards the dispersal of industry, which had become
heavily concentrated in Karachi. As a consequence, urban growth has been more
evenly distributed among several cities. Rapid and unplanned urban expansion
has been parallel by deterioration in living conditions, particularly in the housing
conditions of lower income groups. Many urban households are unable to pay
rent for the cheapest form of available housing and live in makeshift shacks.
Water supply and sewerage system are inadequate, and in many areas residents
have to share communal water taps. Inadequate urban transport is also a major
problem.
The urban areas, unlike rural areas, are well-planned and well-built with modern
residential colonies. The big cities, which form the portion of our urban areas, are
the centres of high modern education. A large number of prestigious educational
institutions are situated in the big cities which attract the students from all parts
of the country. The urban areas have become the centre of social activity because
of their multifarious aspects of social life. The industrial progress and the location
of Government and other departments in the urban areas have made these areas
prosperous and progressing.
8. Differences between Rural and Urban Way of Life
The rural and urban life differs in a number of ways. For an
agricultural country like Pakistan, it is essential to understand how
and why life in rural and urban areas differs.
1. Function
Villages and towns differ in function. Villages are usually engaged
in primary activities, including farming, animal keeping,
lumbering, fishing etc. Towns are engaged in secondary and
tertiary activities, like manufacturing, trade, transport,
telecommunications, education, medical treatment and other
activities. However, these two sets of activities are not exclusively
confined to rural and urban areas. Shops, transportation services,
educational and medical facilities are found in rural areas, too.
Similarly, there are vegetable fields within Karachi, Lahore and
other major cities. It is more a question of the predominance of
one set of activities over the other. As a consequence, the line of
distinction between a small town and a large village is difficult to
determine.
9. Differences between Rural and Urban Way of Life
• 2. Lifestyle
Some specialists believe that lifestyle is a distinguishing feature of
villages and towns. According to them, close contact with other
members of the community is a distinctive feature of rural life. The
inhabitants of a village, for example, usually know each other personally.
In urban areas, on the other hand, relationships tend to be impersonal;
urban areas are so highly populated that most people do not even know
who their neighbours are. This is case in large urban centres like Karachi.
However, even in places like Karachi, there are pockets in the city where
people who belong to the same community or village live. In such areas
people know each other and have closer contact with their neighbours.
In small towns, which are in reality overgrown villages, most people
known one another as well.
It is also argued that while village life is traditional, urban life is rational.
This is not entirely the case in Pakistan. Most of the urban population in
Pakistan has a strong rural background. Although the use of urban
facilities changes their way of living, it does not change their way of
thinking much. In Pakistan, the lifestyles of the rich and poor differ far
more than the lifestyles of city and village dwellers. The objective
application of lifestyle as a factor for distinguishing between villages and
towns is therefore difficult.
10. Differences between Rural and Urban Way of Life
3. Population
Another factor used to distinguish between villages
and towns is population. Although this criterion is
applied in many countries, there is no agreement on
size. In Canada, for example, a settlement with a
population of more than 1,000 is considered urban, in
Japan more than 30,000 and in Pakistan, 5,000. In
Pakistan, a settlement can also call itself a town if it
has a two committee or cantonment that controls
electricity, the water supply and drainage. For
example, Ziarat in Balochistan had a population of
619 in 1998, but it was still classified as a town
because it had these amenities. However, there are
only ten towns with populations of less than 5,000
out of a total 478 urban centres in Pakistan
