Presentation

Report

2009
PRESENTATION REPORT
This report contains brief history of
Pakistani culture, elements Contributing
to the Evolution of Pakistan's Culture, its
characteristics and role of education in
promotion of
Pakistani culture.

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Acknowledgements

All the praises are for the almighty Allah who

bestowed me with the ability and potential to
complete this assignment. I also pay my
gratitude to the Almighty for enabling me to
complete
this presentation report within due course of
time.
Words are very few to express enormous humble
obligations to my affectionate Parents for
their
prayers and strong determination to enabling
me to achieve this job.
I also appreciate the cordial co-operation
from all my concern teachers and colleagues
for
providing me requisite information and
knowledge for compilation of my complete
report.

Dedication
I dedicate this to my teacher “Miss Alina
Raza” for all her love & attention which has
made it
possible for me to make it up to this point
and, who bestowed me with the courage, the
commitment and the awareness to follow the
best possible route, by their unmatchable
style and
by best possible training.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Culture of Pakistan…………………………………………………………..
04
1.1 Definition……….
………………………………………………………...04
1.2 Brief introduction and
history…………………………………………….04

2. Elements Contributing to the Evolution of

Pakistan's Culture……………….05
2.1 Religion…………………………………………………………………..05
2.2 Language………………………………………………………………...05
2.3 History…………………………………………………………………...05
2.4 Geography………………………………………………………………..05

3. Characteristics of Pakistani
culture…………………………………………...06
3.1 Islamic Values……………………………………………………………06
3.2 National and Regional
Languages……………………………………….06
3.3 Mixed
Culture…………………………………………………………....06
3.4 Rich
Literature……………………………………………………............07
3.5 Male Dominated
Society…………………………………………………07
3.6 Variety of
Dresses………………………………………………………...07
3.7 Fairs and
Festivals………………………………………………………..07
3.8 Sports……………………………………………………………………..07
3.9
Handicrafts……………………………………………………………....08
3.10Ethnic
Diversity…………………………………………………….....08
3.11Marriage…………………………………………………………….....08
3.12Family Life…………………………………………………………....08
3.13Ancient & Modern…………………………………………………….08
3.14Cultural
Heritage……………………………………………………....09
3.15Art and
Craft………………………………………………………......09

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4. Role of education in
society……………………………………………………09

Culture of Pakistan
DEFINITION

Culture may be defined as an integral whole

which affects human ideals, actions and modes
of
living. According to E.B. Taylor,
"Culture is a complex whole which includes
knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, customs and
all
other capabilities and habits acquired by man
as a member of a society."
Every great nation enjoys its own culture.
Similarly, Pakistani culture is very distinct
due to its
Islamic nature and rich historical background.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND

HISTORY
The society of Pakistan (Urdu: ‫(ﭘﺎﮐﺴﺘﺎﻧﯽ‬
‫​ﺛﻘﺎﻓﺖ‬comprises numerous diverse cultures and
ethnic
groups from the Punjabis and Sindhis in the
east to the tribal cultures of the Baloch and
Pashtun
in the west and the ancient Dardic in the
north. These Pakistani cultures have been
greatly
influenced by many of the surrounding
countries' cultures, such as those of Turkish,
Persian,
Afghan, and Indians of South Asia, Central
Asia and the Middle East.
In ancient times, Pakistan was a major
cultural hub and the home of ancient
civilizations, such as
the Indus Valley Civilization - one of the
first 'settled' peoples. Many cultural
practices and great
monuments have been inherited from the time of
the ancient rulers of the region. One of the
greatest cultural influences is that of the
Persian Empire. Other key influences include
the
Afghan Empire and later the short lived but
influential Mughal Empire.
Pakistan has a rich cultural and ethnic
background going back to the Indus Valley
Civilization,
2800 BC – 1800 BC. A civilization remarkable
for its ordered cities, advanced-planned
sanitation, straight roads and uniquely
structured society. Present day Pakistan has
been invaded
many times in the past. it has been occupied
and settled by many different peoples each of
whom

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have left their imprint on the current
inhabitants of the country. Some of the
largest groups were
the 'Aryans', Greeks, Scythians, Persians,
White Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and other
Eurasian groups right up until the British who
left in the late 1940s.
The region has formed a distinct cultural unit
within the main cultural complex of South
Asia,
the Middle East and Central Asia from the
earliest times.[1] There are differences in
culture
among the different ethnic groups in matters
such as dress, food, and religion, especially
where
pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic
practices. Their cultural origins also show
influences
from far afield; including from: Tibet, Nepal,
India and eastern Afghanistan. All groups show
varying degrees of significant influence from
Persia, Turkestan and Hellenistic Greece.
Pakistan
was the first region of the South Asia to
receive the full impact of Islam and has
developed a
distinct Islamic identity, historically
different from that further west.[1]

Ancient sites in Pakistan include: Zorastrian,

Buddhist, Hindu and Pagan temples and shrines,
gardens, tombs, palaces, monuments, pleasure
grounds and Mughal and Indo-Saracenic
buildings. Sculpture is dominated by Greco-
Buddhist friezes, and crafts by ceramics,
jewellery,
silk goods and engraved woodwork and
metalwork.
Pakistani society is largely multilingual,
multi-ethnic and multicultural. Though
cultures within
the country differ to some extent, more
similarities than differences can be found as
most
Pakistanis are of mainly 'Aryan' heritage
and/or have lived side by side along the Indus
River for
the past several thousand years and coexisted.
However, over 60 years of integration, a
distinctive "Pakistani" culture has sprung up
especially in the urban areas. Education is
highly
regarded by members of every socio-economic
stratum. The traditional family values are
highly
respected and considered sacred, although
urban families increasingly form nuclear
families,
owing to the socio-economic constraints
imposed by the traditional culture of extended
family.
The past few decades have seen emergence of a
middle class in cities such as Karachi,
Lahore,
Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Faisalabad,
Sukkur, Peshawar, Sialkot, Abbottabad and
Multan.
The rural areas of Pakistan are regarded as
more conservative and are dominated by
regional
tribal customs dating back hundreds of years.

ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE

EVOLUTION OF PAKISTAN'S CULTURE

RELIGION

Religion is not only a base of the social

system of Pakistan but it is also an effective
force
that can provide the meeting ground for all
the regional cultures of Pakistan.

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LANGUAGE

A common language could create natural

understanding to such on extent that speaker
and
listener comes together at one cultural level.
Among the other regional languages and
dialects Urdu is the language which is spoken
and understood throughout the country.

HISTORY

Common History creates a sense of belonging

to one nation. Pakistan has a common
historical background of almost 1000 years
(712-1857 AD) of Muslim rule and Indus valley
civilization (2500 BC).

GEOGRAPHY
Variety of physical contours; it has green
fertile plains, hot deserts, beautiful
valleys, snow clad
mountains and magnificent coast line. Having a
diverse range of physical features, customs,
traditions and habits of the people living in
different regions has provided a rich cultural
heritage
to Pakistan

CHARACTERISTICS OF PAKISTANI
CULTURE
Pakistani culture has the following
characteristics:

ISLAMIC VALUES

Pakistani culture is actually a part of the

contemporary Islamic civilization which draws
its value
and traditions from Islam and rich Islamic
history. Majority of population comprises of
Muslims
and follows teachings of Islam, i-e., belief
in one Allah, Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad
P.B.U.H, brotherhood, equality and social
justice etc. Islam is religion of peace and
patience.
Pakistani society is very cooperative.
National calendar is marked by religious days
which are
observed with great devotion.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LANGUAGES

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Pakistan is a large country which comprises of

four provinces, the Federally Administered
Tribal
Areas (FATA) and Federally Administered
Northern Areas (FANA). All of these component
parts have their own regional languages. As
such Punjabi, Pashtu, Sindhi, Balochi, Barohi
and
Kashmiri are regional languages. However, Urdu
is the national language which is spokin and
understood in all parts of the country.

MIXED CULTURE

Practically speaking Pakistani culture is a

beautiful blend of the Punjabi, Sindhi,
Pathan,
Baluchi, Barohi, Seraiki and Kashmiri
cultures. In addition, the presence of Hindu
community in
Sindh gives touches of dance and music in the
Sindhi region. The Hindus sing Bhejas but
Pakistani culture has adopted Qawwali which is
a praise of the Holy Propher P.B.U.H.

RICH LITERATURE

Pakistani culture is rich in the literatures

of Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu, Baruhi,
Baluchi and
Kashmiri languages. Urdu literature boasts of
the masterpieces of Maulana Azad, Iqbal,
Shibli,
Hali, Ghalib, Agha Hashar, Manto and Faiz
whereas the Punjabi literature stands out with
great
names like Waris Shah, Sultan Bahu, Ghulam
Farid, Bulhay Shah and Shah Hussain etc.
Similarly, Sindhi literature glitters with the
masterpieces of Shah Abdul Latif, Sachal
Sarmast,
Shah Qadir Bakhsh, and Faqir Nabi Bakhsh. The
Pushto literature also boasts of names like
Sheikh Saleh, Raghoon Khan, Akhund dardeeza,
Khushal Khan Khattak and Rahman Baba. The
Baluchi literature comprises of masterpieces
of Jam Durk, Muhammad Ali, Zahoor Shah
Hashmi, Ghani Parvez, Hasrat Baluch, Abbas Ali
Zemi and Aziz Bugti etc.

MALE DOMINATED SOCIETY

Pakistani society is dominated by male

members. Each family is headed by the senior
most male
member who is responsible for arranging the
bread and butter of the family.

VARIETY OF DRESSES

Pakistani culture is rich in variety of

dresses: The people of Punjab, the Pathans of
NWFP, the
Baluchi people and the Sindhis wear their own
distinct dresses. These dresses are very
colourful
and prominent and give attractive look during
national fairs and festivals.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

The culture of Pakistan has great tradition of

Fairs and festivals. These fairs are held in
all parts

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of the country. Moreover, annual urs of great
saints are held to commemorate their
anniversaries.
On these occasions, fairs are also held in
which people take part in great numbers. Out
of these
the Horse and Cattle shows of Lahore, Mianwali
and Sibi are famous wheseas the Polo festival
fo Gilgit is prominent at national and
international level. Moreover annual urs of
Hazrat Daata
Ganj Bakhsh, Madhu Lal Hussain, Baba Bulhay
Shah, Baba Farid Gunj Shakar, Baba Gulu
Shah, Pir Jamaat Ali Shah, Abdul Latif
Bhitaii, Hazrat Noshah Ganj Bakhsh, Bari Imam,
Lal
Shahbaz Qalandar, and Bahauddin Zakriya are
celebrated with great fervour.

SPORTS

Pakistani people are great lovers of sports

and games. Modern games like hockey, cricket,
football, badminton, squash, table tennis and
lawn tennis are played throughout the coutnry.
In
addition wrestling, boxing, and athletics are
also very popular among masses. Pakistan has
produced great sportsmen in the past. These
include Bholu in Wrestling, Hanif, Miandad,
Imran,
Wasim Akram, and Inzamam in cricket, Shehnaz
sheikh, Islahuddin, KHalid mahmood, Akhtar
Rasool, and Munir Dar in hockey and Jahangir,
Jansher in squash.

HANDICRAFTS

Pakistan enjoys great distinction in

handicrafts at international level. Wooden
furniture of
Chiniot, sports goods of Sialkot and
embroidery of Multan and Hyderabad is world
famous. \

ETHNIC DIVERSITY

Immigration from central Asia, Afghanistan,

Middle East, Turkey

and Persia over the countries complicated the

racial mixture of the country. Pathan,

Balochi, Sindhi and Punjabi are the four major

groups of people who are living in

Pakistan. A proportion of the population

belongs to Urdu speaking who arrived in

Pakistan at the time of partition from

different part of India. There is a unifying
sense

of being Pakistani too but regional loyalty is

more powerful then the sense of being

Pakistani.

MARRIAGE

Considered as a social and emotional bond

between two individuals and families. Arrange

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marriages are preferred. Wedding ceremony is
characterized by Menhdi, dowry and lavish
parties from both brides and grooms families.

FAMILY LIFE

Male oriented with strong sense of family

bond, generally preference is given to boys
over girls.

FOOD

About 98% of the daily diet of most Pakistani

consists of four basic item~ Roti, Rice,
Vegetables and meat. Most Pakistani dishes are
Nehari, Halwa puri, Korma, Haleem, Biryani
etc.

ANCIENT & MODERN

New ideas and, new technology exist side by

side with the old for ex. Mild houses with
electronic bulb arid transistor, veiled women
and fashion shows, automobiles and horse-drawn
tangas, nuclear energy and absence of clear
drinking water.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Pakistan has very valuable cultural heritage.

Shah Jahan Masjid in Thatta, Shalimar Garden,
Badshahi Masjid, and Shahi Qila of Lahore are
few examples of Mughal architecture. Many
archaeological sites in Pakistan are Moen-jo-
daro, Harappa (Indus valley civilization) and
Taxila
(Gundhara).

ART AND CRAFT

Islam prohibited from pictorial art,

therefore as being a Muslim country emphasis
in Pakistan is
laid on non pictorial form of Art like
calligraphy, floral and geometrical design.
People living in
different areas of Pakistan make different
articles from the raw materiel available in
their areas
for example Sindh is famous for Ajrak,
embroidery glass work and kashi work and.
beautiful
decoration pieces made of Sea shells and
marble, Multan is famous for various articles
of camels
skin, Chiniot is for wood works, Peshawar is
for Metal work and Baluchistan is for
embroidery.

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FESTIVALS
• Ramadan
• Chand Raat
• Eid celebrations
• Milaad un Nabi
• Muharram (Ashura
• Jashn-e-Baharan
• Independence Day
• Defense Day Parade

ROLE OF EDUCATION IN SOCIETY

Education is very important and vital part of
our lives without which our lives would have
no
meanings and would be leading our lives in a
way that wild animals do. Education teaches
the
manner to live and move in society and help us
making our lives and society to be a better
place
to live.
“Education is the underlying firmament that
makes good governance, a fair and open
judicial
system, and technological development
possible. The true nature of education in the
civilized
society runs deeply through all that we are
and have achieved. In fact, I contend that
without
education the civilized society would not be
possible. Education defines what a civilized
society
is. Education does not “polish off” a society
and make it that little bit more civilized, it
is not the
icing on the cake when everything else has
been dealt with, but rather is the fundamental
pillar
of the structure that helps to makes society
civilized in the first place”.
( Speech by Olwyn Enright TD, Spokesperson on
Education and Science)
Now as we realized that education plays a
vital role in any society and the quality of
education is
also very important.
What education teaches us in an Islamic
society (Pakistan) is what are right ways and
what are
wrong, it aware us with respect and tells us
about our Holy Prophet and his model life and
trains
us to love Allah and his Prophet and to aim
and try to walk on way Holy Prophet (SAWW)
shown to us and it makes us functional Muslim
Pakistani, and the sole purpose to demand
Pakistan (freedom to live life as Muslim)
Being a Muslim the main and sole purpose is to
worship Allah and enjoy life discovering his
things, his creations and the whole universe
was made for man to discover and remember
Allah.
But our educational system glided a bit from
the way and made Islamite and Islamic
teachings a
different subject, Islamic teachings are
mostly looked like another subject in
educational

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institutes, just take the class memorize it
and pass the examination, it’s not taught as a
code of
life as a guide to live and as the root of all
subjects.
Our educational system is making Islam just
another subject. How can we hope for a truly
Islamic member of society from an institute
when we never told him that the worldly issues
and
jobs are in the end to live a life according
to Islam and to worship Almighty Allah.

CONCLUSION

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