Cultural awareness essay about Pakistan

Cultural awareness about Pakistan
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Cultural awareness about Pakistan
Every community has their way of life which is their culture, the pattern change as the people of the society adopts other behaviors also contribute to their culture. Many nations make progress, and as this goes, their culture also improves as new customs and codes that bind the society are acquired. Some nations may lose their cultural heritage by fully falling into other cultures and adopting them as their own while others maintain their cultural heritage (Rodnick, Andrus, & Mohammed, 1967).
Formerly referred to as the Republic of Pakistan, the constitutional and humble geographical grounds known as Pakistan is surrounded by; Afghanistan, China, India and Iran counties. With ideal influences from its neighborhood resulting into a Muhijir tribe (even though they are majorly immigrants from India), the nation is made up of various ethnic groups who reside in different provinces in agglomeration pattern due to cultural modifications. The tribes include; Punjab, Sindhis, Kashmiri, Baloch, Hazaras, Dards, Wakhi, Baltis, Pashtuns and Burusho.
Buddhism, Christianity, Parsis, and Hindus are part of the minority religious groups that make significant part of the cultural orientation of the Pakistan (Christianity being about 3% of the population practicing that). However, Islam is the dominant religion in this nation with Islamic culture, norms and customs being the much significant to the real brim national levels (Malik, 2004).

Pakistan is a rich cultural country with its uniqueness in lifestyle; that is food, art, clothing, celebrations, sports and architectural design building increasing the yearning for most researchers in accessing these productive cultural activities. At the very basic unit, the rich culture of Pakistan traces from a family perspective where the structure and interactions practices amongst family members are well organized with obedience, the hierarchy in social status and age, particular order in operations and socialism being the most exhibited once you land in the midst of the Pakistanis (Rodnick, Andrus, & Mohammed, 1967).
Since dressing code is a national obligation, you are certain to meet a Pakistani in a ‘shalwar kameez,’ a name that refers to a pair of light, long, loose trousers, tapering to a tight fit around the ankles regardless of the gender. It, therefore, implies that both men and women in this nation wear this beautiful attire. In exception, though at subtle variation, the Kafir-Lash are known for their black robes covering their faces (Malik, 2004).
Being a hierarchical society, order and obedience to practices such as; greeting with a shake of hands among men, hugs and kisses amongst female, non-greetings amongst opposite genders till middle class, extended period greetings with enquiries of family, health and whereabouts and stating of profession, tribe, social class and surnames are a common phenomena in Pakistan. Surnames are only relevant peer interactions. This makes Pakistanis a much-welcoming people with preferences being on visitors regarding food service.
A name of a person especially during an introduction denotes his social class, occupation , and tribe, and can derive a meaning only if uttered in combination, a phenomenon not detected when the names are spoken singly. After being received even if it were a business oriented visit, an extended introduction, greetings and inquiries are the priority. At all levels, the aged are highly respected and given the priority including in a conversation where they are the first to say or ask and also they are the ones being served first during the dining sessions (Ali, 2013).
The families are majorly extended with, close relatives, friends, and neighbors and nucleated family members living together. Marriage is, therefore, mostly exogamous and polygamous. They are marked with celebrations. ‘Nikha’ is the legal document signed by both bridegroom and the bride to mark it official marriage. The wife is held separate for modifications such as “henna,” an eve to the wedding day. As familiar to any other community, the very wedding day is marked with celebrations. The marriage brings together both bridegroom’s family and the bride’s family (Malik, 2004).
As any other nation has the national language spoken by all, the national and official language of the Pakistan is the Urdu language. However, due to the emergence of other languages such as English the most word famous formal language, most elites and government officials use English in offices and for strategic purposes (Ali, 2013).
Pakistanis believe in much arts, entertainment, and recreational activities. Poetry is such a national art in Pakistan. Music especially the folk songs and dances and the traditional and modern dances like Ghazal Gayaki and Qawalli are a great source of entertainment. Peshawar is also a hub for Afghan music having been brought by Afghan refugees. There are also unique dancing styles like Quetta. The Lollywood industry is the major cinema industry in this nation, depicting the everyday live experiences, politics and historical events in humor. Currently, Bollywood from India is taking roots in this country (Malik, 2004).
In the modes of building, there are three distinct periods depicted in the architectural designs in Pakistan, namely, pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial and post-colonial structures. The building and construction models in Pakistan traces back to the Indus civilization hence rich historical forms of structures are present. The Buddhist Monastery ruins depict such an ancient culture. Indo-European styles showing the colonial designs, Indian- Islamic structures and modern structures such as the Feisal mosque are only but examples of the structural models in Pakistan (Ali, 2013).
Pakistan is known worldwide, in hockey, squash, and cricket. Athletics, swimming, boxing, and shooting are local though widely played. Currently, A1 Grand Prix racing has become a big sport with football majorly being played in the western parts. This has triggered the world football body to take a measure through the government of Pakistan on how to initiate football playing in the northern parts of Pakistan (Malik, 2004).
Pakistan has unique and highly spices and or curried meals. The cuisines are heavily determined by the locally available ingredients, customs, and religious factors, majorly seen in Islamic, Jewish, and the Hindu laws. The local form of grilled meat ‘kebabs’ is such a mouth-watering delicacy.
There are national and regional based celebrations in Pakistan. Ramadhan-is a national holiday in which Muslims fast from sunrise till sunset. It is marked by giving out Namaztrasi offerings, conducting Isha prayers and recitations of Quran. After fasts date marked by special foods and parties.Eid-ul-Fitr is another celebration which marks the end of fasting period. It is marked by prayers after sun-rise, celebration, and exchange of individual sweet dishes and also visiting one another. Basant is a Pakistan party that comes mid-February of every year. During Sibi festival, traditional sports are carried out, folk dances and music and also there is handicraft exhibition. Eid-ul-Azha celebration is marked with the sacrifice of animals like goats, sheep or camels; the meat is being distributed to the poor, also amongst relatives and friends. There are also prayers after sunset. There are also other celebrations such as; Pakistan day, Shab-e-Barat among others (Ali, 2013).
Looking at the Pakistan culture in the above discussion, the conclusion can be drawn that adoption of other cultures can affect the culture of a community as the dominant Islamic culture has dominated the nation. It is also advisable to study the culture of other countries as a lot can be learned to help improve your cultural behaviors.
References
Ali, K. (2013). Progressives, Punjab and Pakistan: the early years. South Asian History And Culture, 4(4), 483-502. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19472498.2013.824679.
Rodnick, D., Andrus, J., & Mohammed, A. (1967). Trade, Finance and Development in Pakistan. Technology And Culture, 8(1), 124. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3101552.
Malik, I. (2004). Pakistan: A Contemporary Searchlight. History Compass, 2(1), **-**. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-0542.2004.00091.x