Punjab Culture

Punjab (the land of 5 rivers) is that the biggest acreage of Pakistan and is popularly known for its culture. According to population, 56% of the entire population of the country is situated in Punjab Province. It consisted on 36 districts and contributes approximately 50-60 per cent of the economy.

The poetry of affection and war, fairs and festivals, dancing, music and Punjabi literature are among the characteristic expressions of the Punjabi culture. The people of Punjab love their culture. Punjabi culture is among the oldest and richest cultures in world history, dating from ancient antiquity to the digital era.

Sufism:
Punjabi culture has deep roots in Sufism. Sufi saints spread the message of Islam by living their lives in line with the Islamic way. The followers of those saints arrange fairs and festivals to pay tribute to them. The fairs and festivals showcase cultural traditions and folklife.

Music and dance:
The most prominent musical kind in Punjabi culture is the Bhangra and it’s slowly taking up the mainstream music industry. Due to its long history, different dance forms have emerged and developed. Other popular dance styles are Sammi Dhamal, Sankara Juli and Lodhi.

Cuisine:
The most popular dish in Punjabi cuisine is Tandoori chicken. Most Punjabi food is eaten with either rice or roti. There are some dishes that are exclusive to Punjab like lassi, Paratha, Makai ki roti, Saron ka Saag, Haleem, Biryani and other spicy dishes are popular. In beverages, tea is consumed altogether seasons and as a custom, most of the Punjabis serve tea to their guests. Punjabis are also fond of Zarda, Gulab-Jamuns, Kheer, Jalebi, Samosa, Pakorey etc.. These cuisines have become world-wide delicacies with large scale representation.

Clothing:
The traditional dress for Punjabi women was Punjabi Ghagra which is replaced by salwar suit and the Patiala salwar is very popular too. The traditional dress for Punjabi men is that and kurta which is now being replaced by the kurta and pyjama.

People:
Punjabi people are very warm-hearted and fun-loving. Punjabis are a heterogeneous group comprising of various tribes, clans, communities and are known to celebrate each and each tradition of their culture. Punjabis also believe cast system but as now people are becoming educated, the differences are becoming blurred.

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

Cultural Festivals:
There are numerous festivals which are celebrated by Punjabi people including some religious festivals like Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, Jumu’ah, Laylat-ul-Qadr. The capital Lahore is widely popular for its entertaining events and activities. Lahori’s are famous everywhere the country for celebrations particularly for Basant festival (kite flying) within the spring season. Other festivals celebrated in Punjab region include Baisakhi, Teej etc.

Literature:
Punjab is very rich with literature and Sufis adds more in its literature. Some famous poets of Punjabi are Sultan Bahu, Mian Mohammad Baksh, Baba Farid and Shah Hussain. 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 form 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.