History of Punjabi culture

Punjabi Culture (Culture)

پنجابی ثقافت - اردو میں پڑھیں

Punjabi Culture is one of the oldest in world history, dating from ancient antiquity to the modern era. The scope, history, complexity and density of the culture are vast. Some of the main areas of the Punjabi culture include: Punjabi cuisine, philosophy, poetry, artistry, music, architecture, traditions and values and history. Some cities of Punjab have more importance for Sikh community from India. The founder of Sikh religion was born in Nankana Sahib, a district of Punjab so Sikh from different parts of world come and visits Punjab. Jahngir tomb and Badshahi Masjid in Lahore are the important places of Pakistan. Data Sahib is very scared place in Punjab and most of the people come and visit Data sahib every year.[1]

• Details
• Languages:
  Punjabi
• In Urdu:
  پنجابی ثقافت
• Province:
  Punjab
• Poet:
  Baba Farid,12th-13th century.Bulleh Shah,17th-18th century
• Sports:
  Cricket,Gatka,Kabaddi,Hockey,Football
• Area:
  205,344 km²
• Festivals:
  Maghi,Lohri,Basant Festival,Holi,Vaisakhi,Rakhri
• Famous Singers:
  Abrar-ul-Haq,Jawad Ahmad,Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi,Humera Arshad,
• Sufi Poet:
  Bulleh Shah
• Dances:
  Bhangra,luddi,sammi,Jhumar,Dhamal
• Clothing:
  Suthan,Kurta,Multani Shalwar Suit,Punjabi Phulkari Kurta,Punjabi Bandhani kurta,Pothohari Suit
• Historical Places:
  Shalimar Garden,Wazir khan Mosque,Tomb of Jhangir,Rohtas Fort,Lahore fort,Badshahi Mosque,Minar-e-PakistanTaxila Museum,Derawar Fort,Kallar Kahar,Katas Raj,khewara Salt Mines,Noor mahal
• Sports:
  Cricket,Kabaddi,Kabaddi World Cup,Hockey,Football.
• Climate:
  Hot weather (April to June) , Rainy season (July to September) , Cooler/ Foggy / mild weather (October to March)
• Cities:
  Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Jhelum and Sahiwal
• Cuisine:
  Butter Chicken, Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti, Tandoori Chicken, Chole Bhature, Masala Channa, Dal Makhani, Machchli Amritsari, Dhaba Dal
• Area:
  205,344 km2 (79,284 sq mi)
• History of Punjabi culture;  

Five Rivers

Historically, the Punjab region has been part of Sindu Sapta the term meaning (7 Rivers) but in the course of time southern Sindh was shrieked to a small province and Punjab became a larger and more prosperous region of the area. The word Punjab was introduced by the by the Mughals in the 17th Century AD. It is a combination of the Persian words panj (five) and (water), thus the (land of) five rivers. The five rivers which flow thru Punjab are the tributaries of the Indus River namely Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej and Sindhu river itself. In the Rigveda, the sacred text of Vedism, the Punjab region is associated with the ancient Sapta Sindhu, the Land of Seven Rivers, whilst the later Greeks referred to Punjab as Pentapotamia, an inland delta of five converging rivers. The British used to call Punjab "Our Prussia."Most of Pakistanis outside Pakistan come from this province.

Geography

Punjab of Pakistan has an area of 205,344 km2 (79,284 sq mi) it is the 2nd largest province after Balochistan and is located at the northwestern edge of the geologic Indian plate in South Asia. The province is bordered by Azad Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the province of Sindh to the south, the province of Balochistan to the southwest, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west, and the Islamabad Capital Territory to the north. The capital and largest city is Lahore which was the historical capital of the India during the Moghul times. Other important cities of Punjab include Gujrat, Multan, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhelum and Rawalpindi. Punjab is a mainly a fertile region along the river valleys, while in the southern belt deserts of Cholistan is a bare land. The landscape is amongst the most heavily irrigated on earth and canals can be found throughout the province. Weather extremes are notable from the hot and barren south to the cool hills of the north. The foothills of the Himalayas are found in the extreme north as well.[2]

Punjabi Cuisine

Punjabi Cuisine

The extensive cuisine of Punjab can be vegetarian and non-vegetarian. One commonality between all Punjabi dishes is the liberal usage of ghee or clarified butter spices and Punjabis are fond of sweet-meats also. Most Punjabi food is eaten with either rice or roti. There are some dishes that are exclusive to Punjab such as Mah Di Dal, Paratha, Makai ki rotti, Saron Da Saag, and in cities Choley, Daleem, Baryani and other spicy dishes are popular. In beverages, tea is consumed in all seasons and as a custom most of Punjabis serve tea to their guests. Punjabis are also fond of Zarda, Gulab-Jamuns, Kheer, Jalaibi,Samosy, Pakorey etc. During summers people drink lassi, doodh-soda, aloo bokharey ka sharbat, lemonade etc.  These cuisines have become world-wide delicacies with large scale representation.[3]

• Butter Chicken.
• Sarson Ka Saag Aur Makki Ki Roti.
• Tandoori Chicken.
• Chole Bhature.
• Masala Channa.
• Dal Makhani.
• Machchli Amritsari.
• Dhaba Dal.

Sufi Poet

Bulleh Shah Poetry

Bulleh Shah, one of the most acclaimed Sufi poets of Punjab was a humanist and a philosopher. His poetry represents him as someone providing solutions to the sociological problems of the world as he lived through it, describing the turbulence his motherland Punjab was passing through, while concurrently searching for God. Bulleh Shah poetry also highlights his mystical spiritual voyage through the four stages of Sufism: Shariat (Path), Tariqat (Observance), Haqiqat (Truth) and Maarfat (Union). The simplicity with which Bulleh Shah has been able to address the complex fundamental issues of life and humanity is a large part of his appeal. Thus, many people have put his kafis to music, from humble street-singers to renowned Sufi singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pathanay Khan, Abida Parveen, the Waddali Brothers and Sain Zahoor, from the synthesized techno qawwali remixes of UK-based Asian artists to the Pakistani rock band Junoon.[4]

Cultural Festival

Basant Day

There are numerous festivals which are celebrated by Panjabi people including some religion festivals such as Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi,Lalat-ul-Qadr  They celebrate Basant festival(kite flying) in the spring season.other festivals celebrated in Punjab region include Baisakhi,Teej,Kamak katai etc[5]

Pakistani Punjabi Traditional Dances

1.Bhangra

Bhangra Dance

Bhangra is a free form traditional dance orginating in punjab.it involves simple dance moves,you just have to raising the arms above the shoulders and start moving your body.

2.Luddi

Luddi Dance

Luddi also referred as a punjabi form of dance.It is mostly done by the women of family of different occasions.

3.Sammi

Sammi Dance

Sammi is orginated from the tribal communities of punjab.This dance is popular in sandalbar area of punjab and performs by the women of bazigar,Rai,Lobana and sansi Tribes.

4.Jumar

Jhumar Dance

Jumar or jhoomar is the traditional saraiki folk dance.The word"Jhumar" comes from jhum/jhoom,which means swaying.It is one of the liveliest frroms of music and dance that orginated in the multan and balochistan, also thrived in Sandalbar areas of punjab in Pakistan.

5. Dhammal

Dhammal

dhammal is performed by at Sufi Shrines and Darghas Throughout Punjab in addition to Sindh.

Punjabi Lifestyle

Life Style

Punjab is also the province of Pakistan,its land is considered to be the land of five rivers.Punjabi culture is the culture of punjabi people that has been the richest and the oldest culture in the world history.The peoples live in punjab have different cast like some are of rajput, gujjar,syed,sheikh,arai, these are all cast. the main site of indus valley civilization in punjab was the city of harrapa. Punjabis speak a language called Punjabi. The language of the region is Punjabi. Punjabis is a plural and refers to people who come from the area known as Punjab. Punjabi langauge has its originating source in Sanskrit Punjab has always been land of great saints and fighters.Musik of punjab is becoming famouse all over the world specially the Bhangra is the most eminient feature of culture. [6]

punjabi Colothing

Suthan

The Punjabi suthan is a direct variation of the svasthana which can either be loose to above the ankles and tight around the ankles, or loose to the knees and tight to the ankles. The suthan is a male and female garment but its use is particularly important in the Punjabi suthan suit whereby it is worn by women with a kurti or kurta. It is also a part of the Punjabi ghagra outfit. Other variations include the choga (robe) and suthan combination.

Kurta

This is the same as the modern Punjabi kurta which has side slits and is worn by women in the Punjab region as do men. The kurta also draws inspiration from the jama and the Punjabi angarkha. The kurta can be worn with a salwar, suthan, tehmat, lungi, dhoti, Punjabi ghagra and jeans.

Multani Shalwar Suit

The Multani shalwar, also known as the 'ghaire wali' or 'Saraiki ghaire wali' shalwar as it is very wide around the waist, originates from the Multan area of the Punjab region. The style is similar to the Sindhi kancha shalwar as both are derivatives of the pantaloon shalwar worn in Iraq and adopted in these locations during the 7th century A.D.The Multani shalwar is very wide, baggy,full and has folds like the Punjabi suthan.The upper garments include the Punjabi kameez and the chola of the Punjab region.

Punjabi Phulkari Kurta

A Phulkari kurta is emroidered using the Phulkari embroidery of the Punjab region.

Punjabi Bandhani kurta

Bandhani tye-dyeing is popular in the Cholistan desert area of the Punjab region. Bandhani patterns are used on kurtas.

Pothohari Suit

Another style of the Punjabi suit is the use of the salwar which hails from the Pothohar region of Punjab, Pakistan and is known as the Pothohari salwar. The Pothohari salwar retains the wideness of the older Punjabi suthan and also has some folds. The kameez is also wide. The head scarf is traditionally large, similar to the chador or Phulkari that was used throughout the plains of the Punjab region.

Punjabi Ghagra

The Punjabi ghagra was the traditional apparel for women before the advent of the Punjabi suit.It is still worn in parts of the Punjab region and the outfit comprises the head scarf, kurta/kurti, suthan/salwar and the ghagra. The ghagra has its origin in the candataka, which had become a popular garment in the Gupta period.The candataka was a men's half trousers which eventually developed into the ghagra. The intermediate formation has been described as a shirt like dress for men and women from the neck to the thighs.Candataka continued as a popular female dress in the seventh century.

Sports

Punjabi people have fanatical interest in sports. Punjabi’s are fond of kabaddi, and wrestling, which is also popular in other parts of Pakistan and it’s also played on national level. Other games being played in Punjab region include Gilli-Danda, Khoo-Khoo, Yassu-Panju, Pitho-Garam, Ludo, Chuppan-Chupai, Baraf-Panni, Kanchy and some major sports include cricket, boxing, horse-racing, hockey and football. National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore is the biggest festival where sports, exhibitions, and livestock competitions are held.

Cultural Festivals

Cultural Festivals

There are numerous festivals which are celebrated by Punjabi people including some religious festivals such as Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, Jumu’ah, Laylat-ul-Qadr etc. Urcs (devotional fairs),which are held at the shirnes of sufi saints, Melas and Nomaish (exhibitions).The Provincial capital Lahore is widely popular for its entertaining events and activities. Lahori’s are famous all over the country for their celebrations particularly for Basant festival (kite flying) in the spring season. Other festivals celebrated in Punjab region include Baisakhi, Teej, Kanak Katai etc.

Birth Rituals

Punjabis celebrate birth of their child with great enthusiasm. Grandfather or grandmother or some respected elder member from the family puts honey with their index finger in child’s mouth called Ghutii. Sweets are distributed among friends and relatives and people bring gifts for the child and mother. Generally on 7thday child’s head is shaven and Aqiqa ceremony is held, also sheep/goat is slaughtered.[7]

Punjabi Weddings

Punjabi Wedding

Punjabi weddings are based on traditions and are conducted with strong reflection of the Punjabi culture followed by several pre-wedding customs and rituals (dholki,mayun,ubtan etc.)Punjabi weddings are very loud, energetic, full of music,colors, fancy-dresses, food and dancing. Punjabi weddings have many customs and ceremonies that have evolved since traditional times. In cities the wedding are celebrated following a blend of modern and traditional customs and the ceremony generally lasts for 3days, Mehndi, Barat (Nikkah+Ruksati) and Walima, followed by Chauti (bringing the bride back to her parents’ home the next day).

Funeral Rituals

At funerals after namaz-e-janaza it is customary to offer lunch to people who came for condolence. On 3rdday of the funeral, Qul is held and every following thursday the Quran is recited (jumah-e-raat) followed by prayers for deceased and after 40days the chaliswaan is held. After which the funeral is over. Some families observe anniversaries yearly (barsi).There is no formal dress code for Punjabi funerals however people mostly wear shalwar kameez and casual clothing is observed. Funerals of Shia families are more intense. Both men and women wear black shalwar-kameez and rigorous crying and screaming is a common occurrence at such funerals.[8]

Literature

Punjab is very rich with literature and Sufis adds more in its literature. Punjabi poetry is renowned for its extremely deep meaning, beautiful and hopeful use of words. The large number of Punjabi poetry is being translated throughout the world into many languages. Some famous poets of Punjabi are Sultan Bahu, Mia Mohammad Baksh, Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Anwar Masood etc. Waris Shah, whose contribution to Punjabi literature is best-known for his seminal work in Heer Ranjha, known as Shakespeare of Punjabi language.  Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and a philosopher. The verse from Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi. Some other popular folk tales of Punjab include Sassi-Punnu, Sohni Mahiwal etc. that are passing through generations.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and Crafts

Punjab is the major manufacturing industry in Pakistan’s economy and here each art enjoys a place of its own. The main crafts created in the highlands and other rural areas of Punjab are basketry, pottery, which are famous for their modern and traditional designs all over the world and are included in the best formations of Punjabis. bone work, textile, cloth woven on handlooms with stunning prints is embroidered in the rural-areas and the weavers produce colorful cloths like cotton,silk etc. embroidery, weaving, carpets, stone craft, jewelry, metal work along with truck art and other wood works. The craft of Punjab is its fundamental soul and its craft create its entity.