| |
|
 |
|
|
 |
Pakistani Culture
|
National Holidays
- Pakistan Day - March 23. Commemorates anniversary of the
Pakistan Resolution, passed by the Muslims of South Asia on march
23, 1940. Military parades are held at Lahore Peshawar, Quetta and
Karachi. Main feature is grand parade at Islamabad.
- May Day - May 1. Rallies, processions, and meetings held
throughout the country.
- Ashura - April 9-10. Two days spent mourning the death of
Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. Rallies and meetings
are held. Music is prohibited.
- Eid-e-Miland-un-Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad)
- June 4.
- Independence Day - Aug. 14. Celebrated with meetings, processions,
rallies, and decorations.
- Defence of Pakistan Day - Sept. 6. Parades and exhibitions
of military equipment at Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and
Karachi. People visit war memorials.
- Death Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the
father of the nation - Sept. 11.
- Birthday of Allama Mohammad Iqbal, the national poet - Nov.
9.
- Christmas and Birthday of Quaid-e-Azam - Dec. 25.
|
|
Festivals
|
- Mela Chiragan (Festival of Lamps) - Last week of March. Held
outside Shalimar Garden, Lahore.
- Horse & Cattle Show - End of March to first week of April.
Held at Dera Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattle
races and exhibition of local handicrafts.
- Airforce Day - Sept. 7. Displays of Pakistan Airforce's latest
aircrafts. Air shows at Rawalpinki, Sargodha, Lahore, Peshawar and
Quetta.
- Lok Mela - First week of October. Folk festival held at Islamabad.
Folk music, songs, music contests, folk dances, etc.
- National Industrial Exhibition Islamabad - Mid-November to
mid-December. Exhibition and sale of Pakistan's industrial products
and handicraft items
- National Industrial Exhibition Lahore - 3rd week of November
for 15 days. Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Exhibition and sale
of industrial products and handicrafts of Pakistan.
- National Horse & Cattle Show Lahore - 3rd week of November
for 15 days. Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Cattle races, cattle
dances, tent-pegging, tattoo show, folk music, dances, bands, cultural
floats and folk games.
|
|
Religious Holidays
|
- Shab-e-Barat - Oct. 31. Celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the
eighth Islamic month. Prayers, fireworks, exchnage of sweet dishes,
and visits to relatives and friends.
- Eid-ul-Fitr - Dec. 15. Celebrates end of the fashing month
on the first of Shawwal, the tenth month o the Islamic calendar. Special
prayer after sunrise, exchange of sweet dishes, visits.
- Eid-ul-Azha - March 6-7. Commemorates sacrifice offered by
Prophet Ibrahim. Collective prayers after sunset, sacrifice of goats,
sheep, cows or camels and distribution of meat among relatives, friends,
and poor.
|
|
cuisine
|
| Pakistan's cuisine is a mixture of Arab, Turkish, Persian, and Indian
influences. Roti (bread), chawal (rice), sabzi (vegetables), and gosht
(meat) are the four main components of a Pakistani meal. Naan is the most
popular form of bread and is eaten at almost any meal.
Wheat and other flour products are diet mainstays. Chapati, an unleavened
bread similar to a Mexican tortilla, is one common form. Lassi, milk
from which curds and butterfat have been removed, is another basic food.
Affluent cooks use ghee, clarified butter, and eat more meat, eggs,
and fruits. Many cooks use spicees, herbs, seeds, flavorings, and seasonings
to give food more zest.
Pakistan's majority Muslim population has influenced its cuisine. The
Quranic injunctions against eating pork or drinking alcohol have channeled
Pakistani tastes and appetites in other directions. Lamb, beef, chicken
and fish are basic foods; those with low incomes only consume meats
ceremonially.
Chai (tea) is a very popular beverage. It is drunk in all seasons.
In the summer months, lassi, a yogurt drink, and sugar cane juice are
also very popular.
|
|
Family Life
|
| Pakistani families are very close. Several generations live together
in the same house; the elderly are treated with great respect. Children
accompany their parents to most social events. In urban areas, families
are having fewer children, although traditionally Pakistani families are
large.
Most Pakistani marriages are arranged. Women's families pay large doweries.
Women's positions in their families and the community are influenced
by strong traditions and values. Women are discouraged from seeking
education and work. Families are headed by a male member, usually the
oldest male of the group.
Male babies are circumcised in accordance with religious rites. When
they are seven days old, the family holds an aqeeqa ceremony to celebrate.
The wealthy and middle class live in bungalows or large apartment buildings.
Poorer families live in two- or three-room dwellings.
Devout Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Many arrange their schedules according to prayer times. The prayer is
preceded by the required ablution, which means washing the face, hands
and feet. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Most Pakistanis participate
in congregational prayers in the mosque.
|
Etiquette
|
| Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Mutual hospitality
and courtesy are of great importance at all levels, whatever the
social standing of the host. Smoking is prohibited in some public
places; politeness dictates that smokers ask permission before lighting
a cigarette.
Visiting business people are entertained in hotels and restaurants.
Visitors to private homes should bring a gift or national souvenir.
Informal dress is acceptable for most occasions, though women
are expected to avoid tight clothing and to cover their arms and
legs.
|
Sports
|
| Cricket, hockey, football (soccer), kabbadi, squash, badminton,
and wrestling are popular sports in Pakistan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
