Things tourists should know about Pakistani culture

Pakistan is one of the few places on earth that still retains its rich cultural heritage. From the time of the Indus Valley civilization until the present day, Pakistan’s diverse landscapes have given rise to a vast variety of local cultures and traditions. These cultures and traditions can be found all across the country, from the rugged mountains and lush green valleys of the north to the hot and humid deserts and gorgeous blue seas of the south. Here are a few things tourists should know about Pakistani culture:

Cultural Heritage:

Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its diverse history and geography. It has a legacy of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which left behind a rich legacy of art, architecture, and urban planning, including the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro. The country’s culture has also been influenced by various empires and dynasties that have ruled the region over the centuries, including the Mughals, Persians, and British. Pakistan’s traditional arts and crafts are also an important part of its cultural heritage, such as textiles, pottery, jewelry, and woodwork.

The country’s diverse geography and ethnic groups have also contributed to its cultural heritage, for example, the Northern areas are known for their unique culture, languages, and customs, such as the Kalash people, and the Sindh region is known for its rich cultural heritage, including the traditional Sindhi Ajrak. Pakistan’s cultural heritage is a reflection of its rich history and diverse geography, and it continues to play an important role in shaping the country’s identity.

Cultural Diversity:

There are around 15 main ethnic groups that live in Pakistan, including Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis, Pashtuns, Hazaras, Baltis, and Makranis. Pakistan is a country that has a lot of cultural diversity. Each of them is distinct from the others in terms of their outward appearance, cultural practices, clothing, cuisine, historical lineages, and musical traditions.

Multiple Languages:

Multiple languages are communicated via speech in Pakistan, with anywhere between 73 and 76 being used regularly. There are a great number of areas that do not speak the same language. In spite of this, the Indo-Iranian language family is represented by the majority of spoken tongues, including Urdu, the country’s official language.

Stunning Craftsmanship:

Craftsmanship is highly valued in Pakistani society. Examples of traditional Pakistani handicrafts include copper work, portraits, engraved wood, pottery, naqashi, which refers to the process of producing camel-skin lamps, truck art, and colorful tile work, which is a legacy passed down from the Mughal dynasty.

Exquisite Cuisine:

Most of the surrounding cultures, including East Pakistan, the Middle East, focal Asia, and Mughlai cuisine, are included in Pakistani cuisine. Pakistan is a strikingly diverse nation with diverse civilizations; hence, the traditional cuisine selection varies from one area to another. However, Pakistanis, like those in Central Asian and South Asian nations, prefer spicy cuisine over sweet meals.

Beautiful Music:

Pakistani singers have been influenced by a wide range of poetic forms, genres, languages, and literature as a result of their diverse cultural backgrounds. The national musical gems are qawwali and ghazal.

Pakistan has produced many talented singers over the years, who have made a significant impact on the music industry both locally and internationally. Some of the most famous singers of Pakistan include:

• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Considered to be one of the greatest qawwali singers of all time, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s soulful voice and powerful performances made him a legendary figure in Pakistan and around the world.
• Abida Parveen – Known as the “Queen of Sufi Music,” Abida Parveen is a renowned Pakistani singer and songwriter who has been entertaining audiences for decades with her mesmerizing voice and spiritual performances.
• Atif Aslam – One of the most popular and successful singers of Pakistan, Atif Aslam has a unique singing style and a huge fan following, both in Pakistan and India. He has also recorded many hit songs in Bollywood.
• Strings – A Pakistani pop rock band formed in 1988, Strings is one of the most famous and influential bands in Pakistan. Their hit songs, such as “Sar Kiye Ye Pahar,” “Anjane,” and “Dhaani” are still popular today.
• Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – Nephew of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a Pakistani singer and musician who has made a name for himself both in Pakistan and internationally, especially in Bollywood.
• Farida Khanum – Often referred to as the “Nightingale of Pakistan,” Farida Khanum is a Pakistani classical singer known for her melodious and emotive singing style.
• Ali Zafar – A Pakistani musician, singer-songwriter, and actor, Ali Zafar has made a name for himself in the Pakistani music industry with his versatile singing and songwriting skills.
• Hadiqa Kiani – A Pakistani singer, songwriter, and philanthropist, Hadiqa Kiani is one of the most successful and influential female singers in Pakistan. She has won many awards for her singing and philanthropic work.
• Ali Sethi – Ali Sethi’s music is heavily influenced by classical Pakistani music, and he is particularly known for his soulful renditions of ghazals, a form of Urdu poetry. He has released several albums, including “Chaandni Raat” and “The Good, the Bad, and the Raaga”, which have been well-received by audiences. His recent internationally famous song is ”Pasoori”.

These are just a few of the many talented singers that Pakistan has produced, and their music continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

Diverse Clothing:

Pakistan’s national attire is the shalwar kameez.

• Men used to dress in the shalwar kameez or dhoti (lacha) with kameez in Punjab. Women used to dress simply in shalwar kameez and accessorize with a paranda.
• The Balochi shalwars are well-liked because of their extraordinary length. There, the ladies’ clothing is long and has a big front pocket. Women’s clothing also features a lot of embroideries, which is ingrained in their culture.
• Pathan men dress simply in shalwar kameez, whereas the preferred attire for Pathan ladies is an embroidered kameez paired with a glass-worked, very thick dupatta.
• The Sindhi topi and Sindhi Ajrak, which have a texture of brown and maroon, are the only well-known ethnic garments that remain in Sindh.

Memorable Events:

In Pakistan, there are several events to commemorate, such as the nation’s Independence Day on August 14 and Defense Day on September 6. Pakistan Day is observed on March 23. Additionally, the Muslim calendar designates 12 Rabi-ul-Awal as the day for Eid Milad un-Nabi, Eid al-Adha, and Eid al-Fitr. Additionally, the first week of March is when Basant is celebrated.

Famous Sports:

Although cricket is conceivably the most common sport in the whole of Pakistan, each area has its own classic or traditional sports and pastimes that not only maintain the local residents physically fit and healthy but also have important cultural and historical meanings. Some of the traditional sports are:

• Hockey
• Kabaddi
• Malakhra
• Mukha
• Tent Pegging
• Yak Racing
• Polo

Several of these cultures have been maintained thanks to the glory and determination of the Pakistani people to adhere to traditional ways of life over the course of time.

All these important things tourists should know about Pakistani culture but if there is any additional thing tourists want to know then ask in the below comments section. Local people will tell more things tourists should know about Pakistani culture.