TERM PAPER
SUB CULTURE OF THE PUNJAB
NAME:
UMAIR CHEEMA
COURSE:
SS0127 - Sociology
SUBMITTED TO:
ASIF H. QURESHI
DATE:
4/18/15
SERIAL NO:
17
ROLL NO:
L13-4154
NARROWED TOPIC:
“Festivals, tombs ceremonies, local customs”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Executive Summary

II. Introduction

III. Objectives IV. Scientific Investigation I. Literature Review II. Hypothesis III. Methodology IV. Collecting the Data V. Analyzing Data: VI. Conclusion: VII. Recommendations V. REFERENCES

Executive summary:
The society of Pakistan has many different cultures. The east of country is mainly Punjabi, the south is mainly Sindhi in the east are the tribal cultures. In many areas the tribes and cultures are mixed, most Pakistanis are Punjabi and most of the nation are Sunni Muslim. Culture comprises of the virtues and codes that retain in any particular nation, which becomes the traditional value of that nation. May be it is a food or a dress code, Pakistani culture is of its supreme quality. Punjab is the heart of cultural values. Many traditions are the part of Pakistani culture, for instance, the annual ceremonies on the tombs, the spring festival which is celebrated on a wide scale when all the cities are decorated with flowers, kite flying is another charm of these spring festivals, Wagah border ceremony that happens at the International border gate before 5PM each day, the Festival of Lamps, Mela Chiraghan, is also give us the glaze of culture. Results have been talked about in the light of Pakistani social setting. Results have been talked about in the light of Pakistani customs and traditions.
Introduction:
Every country has its own culture. In Pakistan, we come across many different cultures which depict us as a nation. Pakistani culture is a mixture of different provinces and tribes, for instance, Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan. If we travel around the country, we could easily find the conventional values. Pakistani traditional food is famous throughout the world. For example, Balochi saggi, Peshawari kabab and Sindhi Biryani etc.

Punjab is the heart of cultural values. Punjab has been the cradle of civilization since times immemorial. The ruins of Harappa show an advanced urban culture that flourished over 8000 years ago. Taxila, another historic landmark also stands out as a proof of the achievements of the area in learning, arts and crafts. The ancient Hindu Katasraj temple and the Salt Range temples are regaining attention.

The structure of a mosque is simple and it expresses openness. Calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran decorate mosques and mausoleums in Punjab. The inscriptions on bricks and tiles of the mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam (1320 AD) at Multan are outstanding specimens of architectural calligraphy. The earliest existing building in South Asia with enamelled tile-work is the tomb of Shah Yusuf Gardezi (1150 AD) at Multan. A specimen of the sixteenth century tile-work at Lahore is the tomb of Sheikh Musa Ahangar, with its brilliant blue dome. The tile-work of Emperor Shah Jahan is of a richer and more elaborate nature. The pictured wall of Lahore Fort is the last line in the tile-work in the entire world.

Central Punjab is a hub for traditional food. In Pakistani culture, there are clear signs of Indian culture that is why it is known as Indo-Pak culture. Particularly Pakistani weddings are the reflection of Indian culture.
It shares most of its cultural and carnival values with Indian culture. There are many historical places in Pakistan which depict the traditions of Mughal era.
Many religious traditions are the part of Pakistani culture, for instance, the annual ceremonies on the tombs, which are again the influence of Indian culture. Lots of different festivals are the part of this colorful culture, one of them is the spring festival which is celebrated on a wide scale when all the cities are decorated with flowers and different flower exhibitions are promoted specially in these days. Kite flying is another charm of these spring festivals. Hence, Pakistani culture is presentable, where the respect for elders and family etiquettes are also the imperative factors.
Literature Review:
The costumes are a mix of colours, comfort and beauty and Punjab is well known for the use of phulkari (embroidery) in its costumes. In most of the villages of Punjab men wear Pagri(turban), dhoti/lacha, kurta and khusa. Women wear gharara, or choridar pajama or colorful shalwar kameez, paranda, choli/duppata, khusa, kola puri chappal or tillay wali jutti. Whereas in urban areas of Punjab men and women follow latest trends and fashion, generally they wear different styles of shalwar kameez. (Daily Jang 2005)

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. (Daily Times 2007)

There are numerous festivals which are celebrated by Punjabi people including some religious festivals such as Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, Jumu’ah, and Laylat-ul-Qadr etc. Urs (devotional fairs),which are held at the shrines 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, and Kanak Katai etc. (Bratannica 2004)

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). (The Friday Times 2009)

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. (Pakistan Today 2011)

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. (The Nation 2000)
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
Hypothesis:
1. To get awareness about the sub culture of Punjab and how many are still in the favor of it. 2. How much culture is penetrated in the roots of new generation? 3. To examine the impact of subculture effect on people and how much of it sustained. 4. How many of the people are in the favor of it and how many are against it. 5. How can we promote the subculture in the coming youth?

Methodology:
Sample of the research was consisted of 30 respondents with the distribution of 18 males and 12 females. Sampling technique used in the research was simple random sampling to reduce the errors.

Questions 1. People have same cultural values as their ancestors have?
S.D (strongly disagree) | D (disagree) | N (neutral) | A (agree) | S.A (strongly agree)
2. Culture depicts national identity.
S.D (strongly disagree) | D (disagree) | N (neutral) | A (agree) | S.A (strongly agree)
3. Does cultural activities give cheer to people?
S.D (strongly disagree) | D (disagree) | N (neutral) | A (agree) | S.A (strongly agree) 4. Does rich people are attached to cultural activities?
S.D (strongly disagree) | D (disagree) | N (neutral) | A (agree) | S.A (strongly agree) 5. Cultural activities would be promoted?
S.D (strongly disagree) | D (disagree) | N (neutral) | A (agree) | S.A (strongly agree)

Collecting the Data:
After designing questionnaire, for collecting data simple random sampling technique was chosen. Data has collected from different areas of Lahore city. Respondents include both male and female and some older guys too.

Analyzing Data:
Most of the people fall in the favor of the culture support but some go against the support because they want to follow the steps of western people. Pakistan is one of the states that infiltrate into “Collectivism” because of the fact that it gives great importance on combined family system and persuading a single party or person to financially uphold their family. Pakistani society externalizes in a secure long-standing dedication to the constituent of a particular group. Loyalty in this culture is prevailing and a prominent factor that supersedes many other cultural obligations and regulations. It cherishes close associations and bonding where everybody is taking responsibility for members of their particular group.

In Pakistani culture, there is found a high percentage of masculinity and low rate of femininity. If we talk about Masculinity in Pakistani culture, the factor Dominance plays a significant role. Dominance is considered by the amount of times people adjourn to each other in different type of interactions. If majority of Pakistani population is concerned, man has the dominance due to ample of facts and reasons and one of them is that male is generally found the one and only earner to provide support to his whole family or at times there are two or more male members who will be running their respective family. One more aspect that moves toward domination is power. If one has more power, there will be more possibility of Dominance. If critically analyzing Pakistani culture, there are found more men than women who are having the power via particular position. There is a great fraction of managers, directors, and politicians who are compassing high position that are depicting a great male domination in this culture.

Religion influence is significant in this scenario. Islam that a female cannot carry out a particular kind of job disposes certain limitations. This is also debatable by many Muslim Scholars. Some asserts that a female can do job under a few conditions that she should make it sure to not go beyond the religious limits as she would be working with male members too in her respective job place.

Pakistan falls into a hierarchical culture. This shows a great power distance found in this culture according to which people is having acknowledgment of hierarchical sequence. Chain of commands in an association seems to be revealing intrinsic disproportions and systematization is famous. In Pakistani society, subordinates keep a detachment with their mangers or chiefs and have a great sagacity of reverence towards them.

Pakistani culture has a great predilection for making avoidance of uncertainty to the maximum. It preserves firm codes of conviction and faith and is fanatical of eccentric activities and thoughts. An example that can be fitted into this context is the manner through which parents have a preference of their choice when it comes to marriage of their daughter in Pakistan. This is usually called an “arrange marriage” and now Pakistani culture somehow is expedited to a broadminded view of marriage but majority of the Pakistani people are relying on traditional customs and values of their culture regarding marriage.

At the end, Pakistani customs and values are full of colors and are sometimes arduous to be understood for individuals impending from highly urbanized countries in some cases. The influence of religion on trends, customs, and traditions of Pakistani people is dominant. The dressing styles are meticulous and colorful carnivals are also arranged under the influence of religion. Therefore, we can say that Pakistani life makes a great divergence from other rest of the world’s culture. People are rooted towards home, family and last not the least they are pleased at it.

Conclusion:

Westernization has been the major reason which gets Punjabi people away from their culture. The factors mentioned above are in no way the only areas where westernization has had an impact. Westernization has influenced every aspect of daily life, ranging from cuisine to basic human rights.
To that extent, even the minute details of daily life have been affected by westernization with both positive and negative effects on Pakistan's culture. Westernization has been part of the modernization process, which in no sense can be regarded as harmful. On the other hand, it is important to examine the West's impact since if we are not careful, it could have a negative influence on our society, and lead to the disruption of cultural values and customs.

Recommendations:
1. Media should show the serials and drama based on cultural basis and promote the message to adopt their culture instead of following others culture.

2. Government should promote cultural activities for every class in Pakistan.

3. Cultural of Punjab can be revived by paying attention for the expansion and awareness program for people to make them love to their culture.

References:
Wikipedia. “Culture” retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/culture; retrieved on 2 December 2008.

Hofstede, G. (2003), “What is culture? A reply to Baskerville”, Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol. 28, No. 7-8, pp. 811-813

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Pakistan

Frank Jacobs (3 July 2012). "Peacocks at Sunset". Opinionator: Borderlines. The New York Times. Retrieved 15 July 2012.

http://Guide_ to_ Punjab/Pakistani-culture/

http://historypak.com/punjabi-culture/

Elphinstone, Mountstuart, History of Pakistan. John Murray, Albermarle Street. p. 276. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/438805/Pakistan/276109/The-arts http://hamzasohail07.hubpages.com/hub/Effects-of-Westernization-on-the-culture-of-Pakistan