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CULTURE OF PAKISTAN
Descriptive Question Answers
CONTENT
- The characteristic of Culture.
- Languages as an Important part of Culture.
- The Languages of Pakistan.
- Importance of Urdu Language as a National Language.
- Common cultural manifestation in the national life.
- Arts and Crafts of Pakistan.
- Importance of Festivals as part of Culture.
Q.1: Describe the characteristic of culture.
Ans: CULTURE:
The social environment is known as "culture". Culture is the combination of social life, literature, art, language, religion, customs and traditions. We can say that history of a society is called its culture.
Culture is the combination of knowledge, believes and habits required by man as a member of society.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE:
Following are the main characteristics of culture.
1) Specific Identity:
Each culture has a specific identity and characteristics. Every culture is related to a civilization which reflects the ideology and past history of that nation.
2) Source Of Unity:
Culture is the source of unity. Culture unites the people. Common culture is a great source of brotherhood and unity. In Pakistan different nations live in the four provinces of Pakistan. All have there own culture but with the mixture of all the culture of Pakistan we have produce another culture called Pakistani culture.
3)Culture As A Force:
Culture has a great impact upon people's life because it is a great force which affects others. Positive culture is generally adopted by the majority of people.
- Individual identity of a culture:
Only that culture gets popularity which keeps an individual identity. Due to the strong cultural values, Muslim culture flourished in the past and it is considered a unique culture. - Forceful values of culture:
Weak cultures are generally absorbed into the strong cultures because strong cultures have forceful values. Muslims had a strong culture values that is why Muslims brought many countries under their influence. Permanent and strong values of Islam were the main cause behind this. - Change due to contact with other cultures:
Sometimes culture is changed under the influence of contact with other cultures. In the past Muslims culture had greatly influenced over other cultures and nations of the world.
CONCLUSION:
The social environment is called culture. It is the combination of way of living, language, literature, religion, customs and tradition of an area. Culture has its own identity, force and power which influence the other cultures.
Muslim culture had a great force in the past that is why it has influenced many cultures.
Q.2: Why language is an important part of culture?
Ans: INTRODUCTION:
Language occupies the most important place in the culture of the people. It is the only way to express the ideas and feelings of the people. Language is the first and the most important identity of a nation.
Every culture has its individual identity and this individual identity is due to its language.
IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE IN A CULTURE:
Language is the important and essential part of every culture. It is due to the following reasons.
1. Represents Cultures:
A language represents the culture. Out of many languages, only one language is called the national language which is spoken and understood throughout the country or provinces. Urdu language represents a complete culture which is called the culture of Pakistan that is Islamic.
2. Promotion of Culture Through Language:
Any culture of the world is promoted through the language which is the main part of that culture. Culture of'Pakistan can be promoted through Urdu language.
3. Saves Culture:
If we want to save any culture we must promote the related language of the culture. Language promoted along with that culture will also be saved. Urdu language is the national language which is very helpful to save our national culture.
4. Source Of Unity:
Language plays leading role to bring closer the people of any region who have the same culture. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan which is the great source of unity among all the people of Pakistan who have different cultures.
5. Culture Of Pakistan And Urdu Language:
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan. It is the most important part of our culture. The culture of our country is represented throughout the world through Urdu language. It is also a great source of the unity among all four provinces of Pakistan.
CONCLUSION:
The best way of expressing ideas and feeling the language also plays great role in a culture as it is the most important part of any culture.
Promotion of culture and unity of the people have close link with the language they speak. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan which represents our cultural values. We must promote national language to promote our culture in the world.
Q.3: Write a note on the languages of Pakistan.
Ans: INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan is our motherland. This country appeared on the world map after great sacrifices of the Muslims of united India. It has four provinces. Punjab, Sindh, N.W.F.P and Baluchistan. Each province has its own language, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi. All the regional languages represent our provincial culture. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan. It is mostly spoken and understood in the entire Pakistan and represents the culture of Pakistan.
LANGUAGES OF PAKISTAN:
In Pakistan four different nations are living called Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi and Pakhtoon. In Pakistan these are four main regional languages and Urdu is the national and the most important language of Pakistan.
1. URDU:
- National Language of Pakistan:
Urdu is the national and largely spoken and understood, language of Pakistan. It is not new language for the people of Pakistan. It is a part of our cultural heritage. In United India long ago Urdu was not the language of the people. Different Muslim rulers ruled South Asia. Mughals and Pathans used to speak Persian which had several words borrowed from Arabic and Turkish languages. - History Of Urdu Language:
In the Mughal period soldiers of Mughal army used to speak different languages like Persian, Turkish, Portuguese, French, Punjabi, Sindhi and Hindi. For better communication understanding they started speaking a new language, which was established with the help of all these languages called Urdu. language. Soon this language got popularity among the people specially among the Muslims. Later in the Mughal period it was promoted and it got the status of a big language. - Source Of Unity:
Today it is the national language of Pakistan and spoken and understood in all four provinces of Pakistan. It has got the status of national language and it is the source of unity among all nations of Pakistan. We must promote it for national unity and integrity of the country.
2. SINDHI:
- National Language of Sindh:
The provincial language of Sindh province is Sindhi. It is the language of the majority of people of Sindh. - History of Sindhi Language:
Sindhi is one of the oldest language of South Asia, When Muslims came in South Asia after the attack of Mohammad Bin Qasim, many new words of Arabic, Persian.and Turkish were added into this language and it developed a lot. - Language of Sufis and Saints:
In Sindh many Sufi saints like Shah Abdul Latif, Sachal Sarmast and others played great role for the development and promotion of this language. - Modern Sindhi Language:
As far as modern Sindhi language is concerned it was founded at the end of nineteen century. It got great progress in prose, poetry, drama, and essays. Today this language has a treasure of knowledge and literature.
There are about a dozen newspaper and more than one hundred weekly and monthly Magazines are published in Sindhi language.
The university of Sindh and Karachi University has a department of Sindhi language, where Masters and Doctorate degrees are awarded. It is also the language of primary and secondary schools. It is written in Arabic script.
3. PUNJABI:
- National Language of Punjab:
The language of people of Punjab is called Punjabi language. There are many Arabic, Persian and Turkish words in this language. It is largely spoken and understood in the Punjab province. - History of Punjab Language:
Punjabi language is one of the oldest language of Pakistan. The earliest Punjabi literature was the devotional lyrics of some Buddhist monks. When Muslim arrived in South Asia the real development work for the progress of Punjabi language started. - Language of Sufis and Saints:
Muslim Sufi saints, who spread Islam in Punjab like Baba Fareed Ganj Shakar, and Baha-ud-Din-Zakaria Multani used Punjabi language for expressing their ideas and thoughts. - Famous Poets and Writers:
Famous poets like Baba Fareed, Shah Husaini, Sultan Bahu Bulhe Shah, Waris Shah, Mian Mohammad Baksh and Khwaja Ghulam Fareed also did a lot of work in poetry for the progress of Punjabi language. - Modern Punjabi Language:
In 20th century, novels, plays, short stories and other form of prose began to written in the Punjabi languages and a lot of work had been done. On every topic, books on Punjabi language has been written in the Punjab University Lahore. Now this language has well-set its route towards developments and large numbers of poets, writers and dramatists have emerged in last 35 Years. Punjabi dramas and films are also playing a role for its progress.
4. PASHTO:
- National Language of N .W. F. P:
The largely spoken and understood language of the people of (N.W.F.P.) or K.P.K.(Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) is called Pashto language. In the same areas of North West of Baluchistan it is used as a second language after Balochi. - History of Pashto Language:
In the older days Pashto was the language of the tribes of eastern Iran settled in the area between Indus River and Hindukush range Sanjini and Pamir languages are the base of this language. - Famous Poets and Writers:
The famous Pashto poets and writers like Kazim Khan Shaida, Rehaman Baba and Khushal Khan Khatak wrote poems, songs and other Pashto materials for the development of this language. - Modern Period of Pashto Language:
In 19th century the modern period of Pashto literature started. Pashto journalist played great role for the progress of this language.
Today a vast literature in this language is available and above all Peshawar University has taken many steps for the promotion of this language. A Pashto Academy has also established at Quetta.
5. BALOCHI:
- National Language Of Baluchistan:
The national language of the Baloch tribes province of Baluchistan is Balochi. Balochi and Pashto are the two main languages of tribes of Baluchistan. - History of Balochi Language:
This languages was spoken in ancient Iran. Almost all tribes of Baluchistan had close links with Iran. When they settled in Baluchistan they brought old Balochi language along with them. At the beginning, it was not a developed language. Many efforts were made to develop this language but in vain. - Famous Poets and Writers:
Today this language is on the road of progress. Now poetry folk songs, short stories and dramas are being written in this language. Azad Jamal-ud-Din, Gul Khan Naseer, Mast Tawakkali, Jam Vark, Naz Bibi and Atta Shad are the well known writers and poets of Balochi language.
6. OTHER. LANGUAGES:
Along with these main languages, Sheena, Balti, Brahvi, Chitrali, Kashmiri, Hindko and Pashto are the local languages of Pakistan.
CONCLUSION:
Pakistan is a multinational country. Here are four different cultures. Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi are the main regional languages of the country but Urdu language is a national language. Urdu language is the most important, largely spoken and understood language of Pakistan. It represents the culture of Pakistan. We love all regional languages of our country but Urdu is the need of the country to unite all nations because it is the language of common man and language of communication. We must promote Urdu language for national unity.
Q.4: Describe the importance of Urdu language as the national language.
Ans: INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan has four provinces and in all four provinces four different nations are living. All provinces have their own cultures and languages. Urdu is the language which is largely spoken and understood in the entire Pakistan. Before the creation of Pakistan, Father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam declared it as a National Language of future. Urdu has great importance as a national language because it has created unity among all the nations. People all over Pakistan proudly speak this language as Pakistani.
IMPORTANCE OF URDU LANGUAGE AS PAKISTANI LANGUAGE:
Urdu is not very old language. It was introduced during Mughal rule and within a short period of time it got popularity in the whole South Asia. It was declared the national language of Pakistan by Quaid-e-Azam.
It has great importance and need as a national language because it is the biggest source of national unity. Almost all the poets and writers of Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi and Pashto have written something in Urdu, because it has the heritage of all nations of Pakistan.
DUE TO FOLLOWING REASONS, IT IS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE OF PAKISTAN:
1. Source Of Communication:
Different languages are spoken in all four provinces, but Urdu language is common medium of communication among all nations and is a great source of communication.
2. Sign Of Unity:
Different nations live in different provinces of Pakistan. Urdu language is the sign of unity among all nations as it is spoken and understood by every Pakistani.
3. Promotes Culture And Ideology:
Islam and Urdu language are two binding forces in Pakistan which have united the people. This language is a great source of promoting nation's cultural and ideology which is based on Islam.
4. Great Source Of Co-Ordination:
As Urdu language is spoken in all provinces of Pakistan so it is a great source of co-ordination among all nations of the country.
5. National Identity:
In the whole world Urdu language is considered as the language of the people of Pakistan. It is our national identity in the whole world.
6. Source Of Contact:
As it is the language of common man of Pakistan, so it creates close contact among all nations and a source of national integration and solidarity.
7. Source Of Benefit:
When poetry, drama, short stories and folk tales of regional languages are translated into Urdu language for the purpose of benefit of people, goodwill also develop among the people.
8. International language:
When Urdu literature is spread in the country and all over the world. Urdu rules as international language.
9. Media Communication:
Radio, T.V and press are the main media of communication which play very important role in the promotion of national unity through national language.
10. Commonology:
There is a great relationship between Urdu language and the regional language of Pakistan. Like Urdu all the regional languages of Pakistan are influenced by Arabic, Persian and English languages. So there is commonology in all languages along with Urdu.
CONCLUSION:
Pakistan is a federation, where different nations are living like brothers, inspite of having different cultures and languages due to Islam and Urdu language.
Urdu language is the sign of unity and common media of communication among all nations. It is great source of unity as a national language of Pakistan.
We must promote and speak this language proudly for the unity and solidarity of the country.
O.5: What are the common cultural manifestations in the national life?
Ans: INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan is a federal republic. It has four provinces Punjab, Sindh, N.W.F.P. and Baluchistan. All four provinces have their own cultures languages and traditions. But due to Urdu language and Islam many Customs, traditions and festivals are common in all four provinces.
Islam teaches, justice, brotherhood, equality and truth. So Islam has knit the people of Pakistan into brotherhood and thus justice, fraternity, equality and truth is also become common in all nations. This system further influenced the knowledge and our literature, music, art, architecture and linguistics have many things, that form our cultural legacy.
COMMON CULTURAL MANIFESTATION IN THE NATIONAL LIFE:
Pakistan has four different cultures and with the help of all these cultures we have established another culture called the common culture or Pakistani culture.
PAKISTANI CULTURE HAS THE FOLLOWING MAIN FEATURES:
I . Common Religion:
All four provinces of Pakistan have Muslim majority and Islam is common among all of the people of all four provinces of Pakistan.
2. Mixed Culture:
In Pakistan many nations are living. All these nations came from different parts of Asia. They also brought their own languages and cultural values but living together for so many years a new culture has developed called Islamic or Pakistani 'culture. Many customs, foods and dresses are common among all nations.
3. Status of Men and Women:
Islam has given separate status of men and women. Man is the head of the family and his duty is to run the home economically. Women have also been given very high status, they will perform their duties living within the home. As Islam is a common religion of all nations of the country, so these rules and principles are followed in all four provinces. Due to this a common culture is formed in Pakistan.
4. Social Life:
In Pakistan Islam is common among all four nations that is why their social life is nearly the same. Their life style is very simple and there is joint family system in many families. Women have been given their status and respect. Festivals and fairs are also common generally men work in different fields and women look after the home. Due to all these factors life style is nearly same as well as social life is concerned.
5. Food:
All cultures of Pakistan have their own way of life and food. Different varieties of food are made in all four provinces of Pakistan. But some foods are common in all four provinces of Pakistan.
6. Recreation Activities:
Recreation Activities and sports vary in different provinces of Pakistan. But some hobbies, sports, recreation activities and entertainments are common in all four provinces such as cricket, hockey and football.
7. Religions Events and Festivals:
The best time to see the common culture and manifestation in national life is the time of different religions events, fairs and festivals.
Marriage is a sacred religious task in our culture. It reflects Islamic traditions and culture. Songs, dressed and ceremonies of marriage are nearly same among all nations.
At the time of death, people share the sorrows and grief of the family. Food is arranged by the friends, neighbours and relatives.
Eid-ul-Fitar, Eid-ul-Adha, Eid-e-Millad-un-Nabi, are celebrated and Muharram-ul-Haram observed throughout the country on the same days.
8. Single Message of Love and Brotherhood:
All the sufi saints and poets gave only one message that is of love and brotherhood. Shah Latif of Sindh, Sultan Bahu and Waris Shah of Punjab, Gul Khan Naseer of Baluchistan and Khushhal Khan of N.W.F.P all gave the message of love and brotherhood.
9. Educational System:
Educational system of a country creates unity and brotherhood among nations. Nearly same syllabus, examination system and way of the teaching is same in all four provinces. It is one of the factors for common culture.
10. Media of Communication:
Radio, television, newspaper, magazines and other means of communication play great role for common culture.
CONCLUSION:
It is a hard fact that in Pakistan different nations are living with different cultures and languages but common religion, social life, food, sports, and festivals have joined all the nations into one nation called Pakistani nation.
With the mixture of all provincial cultures we here formed a new culture called Pakistani culture and we must be proud of national culture which is based on Islamic values and Urdu language.
Q.6: Write down a note an arts and crafts of Pakistan.
Ans: INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan is a big and vast country, four provinces tribal areas and capital area Islamabad are the main units of the country. Culture and languages of all parts of Pakistan are different, same way there is great variation is climatic and geographical condition.
People use different dress, food, and celebrate different festivals. Arts and handicrafts are also different in the different parts of the country.
MAIN ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURE:
Following are the main aspects of our culture.
1. DRESS:
In Pakistan dress of all four provinces are different and very colourful. In Sindh and Punjab generally simple dresses are worn. But in N.W.F.P and Baluchistan people specially women wear Colourful dresses. Our national dress is Shalwar Kameez, which is the dress of the most of the people in all four provinces. It is very simple and graceful.
2. LITERATURE AND FINE ARTS:
Painting, calligraphy, architecture and music are considered as fine arts. During the Muslim period of rule all these arts flourished in south Asia. They are all part of our cultured heritage. There are many painters in Pakistan who made painting and a lot of work had been done in the field of calligraphy and architecture. New work has been done for the development of music. Stage and television is also playing their role for the promotion of art. Stone carving and master pieces of ornaments with metal are also examples of art.
Along with Urdu, Sindhi. Punjabi and other literature has been produced in last 60 years in Pakistan.
3. HANDICRAFTS:
Handicrafts means, piece of art which are made by hand. In Pakistan many kinds of handicrafts are made. Generally women who work in home produce their handicrafts.
THE HANDICRAFTS OF DIFFERENT PROVINCES OF PAKISTAN ARE AS UNDER:
A) Punjab:-
Wood work of chiniot and table lamps which are made with the camel skin have great demand in the whole world.
B) Sindh:-
In Sindh glass cut work on clothes is very famous. Ajrak (colourful sheet) of Sindh is world famous. In Karachi ornaments and decoration pieces of shells and the stone are made. Hala is also famous for its wood works.
C) N.W.F.P (K.P.K):
In K.P.K decoration pieces of green marble have great demand in whole world. Embroidery of K.P.K is also very famous.
D) Baluchistan:
Embroidery of Baluchistan has great importance in the world market.
CONCLUSION:
Pakistan has a rich treasure of arts and crafts. Calligraphy, paintings and architecture have been developed a ot.
Handicrafts of our country have a great demand in the whole world. Many handicrafts are exported and are source of earning foreign exchange. All provinces of Pakistan are famous for some kind of handicrafts. Ajrak of Sindh and wood work of chiniot is world famous.
Q.7: Describe the importance of festivals as part of culture.
Ans: INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan is an Islamic country and Islam is a great source of unity among the provinces of Pakistan. Every year people, celebrate many festivals and fairs. They are the source of great jobs and recreation for the people. Many festivals are religious which are common in the whole country but, the fairs which hold on the shrines of sufi saints provide great fun and source of expressing of our culture.
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF PAKISTAN:
Following festivals are celebrated throughout Pakistan.
a) Eid-ul-Fitr:
It is one of the biggest festival of Muslims. It is celebrated all over the country, at the end of Holy month of Ramadan, on the first of Shawaal. This festival is the gift of holy month of Ramadan. People wear new dresses, eat vermicelli's and exchange gifts. Poor are also helped by the rich.
2) Eid-M-Adha:
It is also one of most important festival which is largely celebrated throughout the country by Muslim population. It is celebrated on the 10th of the month of ZIL-HAJJ in the memory of the great sacrifice of HAZRAT IBRAHIM (A.S) and HAZRAT ISMAIL(A.S) only to please ALLAH.
On Eid-ul-Azha people sacrifice animals and meat is distributed among the friends, relatives and poor. The sacrifice is offered for three days.
3) Eid-Milad-UI-Nabi:
The birth anniversary of Holy Prophet MUHAMMAD (P.B.UH) is celebrated on 12th of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awal with great love and devotion.
Houses, streets and markets are decorated and illuminated. Great homage is paid to Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in different meetings.
4) Festivals of Non-Muslims:
Along with the Muslims, non-Muslims also celebrate some festivals like Christmas. the birth day of Jesus Christ 25th December and festival of Easter in April.
Hindu celebrates Diwali, Ram Laala, Rakhi Bandhan anct Basakhi.
Muslims share the happiness of non-Muslims for goodwill and unity.
5) Fairs:
Fairs are generally held on the shrines of sufi saints of different provinces. Fairs are the important feature of Pakistan culture. A large number of people travel from distance places and participate in these fairs. Normally these firs are held on the eve of Urs (Birth or death anniversary) of great Sufi saints. Different local games are played and handicrafts of that particular area are displayed in the fairs.
The most famous fairs of the Pakistan are:
- Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, Larore (Panjab)
- Urs of Hazrat Mian Mir, Larore (Panjab)
- Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakaria, Multan (Panjab)
- Urs of Shah Rukh Alam, Multan (Panjab)
- Urs of Hazrat Shahdullah Deryal, Gujrat (Panjab)
- Urs of Hazrat Abdul Latif Imam Bari (Islamabad).
- Urs of Hazrat Shah Latif Bhitai, Bhit Shah (Sindh)
- Urs of Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, Daraza (Sindh)
- Urs of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and
- Urs of Hazrat Abdullab Shah Ghazi, Clifton (Karachi)
IMPORTANCE OF FESTIVALS & FAIRS AS PART OF CULTURE:
Festivals and fairs.play an important role for the promotion of culture in Pakistan. The festivals which are celebrated by the Muslims are great source of unity and for the progress of social relations.
Fairs and Urs represent the local culture dresses, food and local games like
Kabaddi, Malakhra and other games are played in there Urs and Melas.
Handicrafts of different parts are also displayed.
Urs and fairs also bring closer the people of different provinces.
CONCLUSION:
In Pakistan two types of festivals are celebrated. The festivals which are celebrated by the Muslims are Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-u1-Adha and Eid Milad ul Nabi, while the second kind of festivals are celebrated by the non-Muslims in which Muslims also participate.
As far as fairs are concerned they play great role for the promotion of regional culture and unity. We must celebrate fairs and festivals for the unity and progress of culture.
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