Sindh Festival

Sindh Festival is one of the recent additions of festivals od Sindh attracting mainstream attention. The festival was initiated in 2001 and this year the 5^th Sindh Festival will be celebrated at the sea. This year horse has been chosen as official mascot for the festival. One of the key objectives of the festival is promotion of sea and coastline environment issues. Some of the main highlights of the festival are Karachi music festival, grand parade, car rally, mashal parade, parachute jumps, fireworks, exhibitions of arts and artisans, food streets, magic shows and art competitions for the children, food and folk music.

Urs

The term Urs is an Arabic word meaning marriage or wedding. Urs are annual commemoration of the death anniversary of Sufi saints. The anniversary of their death is observed in a spirit of dedication, coupled with an element of entertainment. In mystic terminology this phenomenon represents merger of sufi saints with the Divine.

Urs in Pakistan offer a entertainement opportunity to the public as well. Children swinging in jhoolas, others whirling happily in merry-go-rounds, snake charmers and jugglers attracting large crowds, stalls of toys and food and pottery are a common scene in all Urs mela. During the Urs festivals, decorative coverings are placed over the graves of the sufi saints, flowers like motias and offered as tribute at the tomb of the saint. Food is distributed as langar (food for poor/charity). Those who believe in mysticism dance devoutly at the beat of drum. This dance is called Dhamaal. Some people use narcotics to reach high state of mind. People make resolve with spirits of the sufi saint for realization of their dream.

Marriage Ceremonies

Marriage in Pakistan is a family event of happiness and festivity. The occasion of marriage brings together all the family members and neighborhood under one roof. A Pakistani marriage generally consists of four main ceremonies of nikah, mehndi, rukhsati and valima however; such smaller events like mangani, mayoun, dholki are also celebrated by some people along with main functions.
Mangani is the formal engagement or commitment of the couple destined to become married. Rings are exchanged between boy and girl and a tentative wedding date is decided at this time. After the engagement, formal preparations for the wedding start. There is this concept of Jahez (dowry or bride’s wealth) in Pakistan which though doesn’t have any religious standing, but still people feel a need to give dowry to their daughters in order to boost family’s social standing in the eyes of the boy’s family. Similarly, boys family prepare burry to be given to the girl. This includes clothing and jewellary and other house hold items. Mayoun is usually the first event of a wedding. From this day on, the bride is proscribed from the groom's eyes till the day of marriage. Ubton, a herbal concoction is applied on bride’s face and body. Everyone wears yellow clothes to blend into the colors of ubton. Some people also recite Quran or hold Quran khawani at homes to seek Allah’s blessings. During Mayoun, friends and family sit in circle with Dholak (a horizontal two-sided percussion drum) and sing traditional wedding songs throughout the evening. The Mayoun generaaly merge in to Dholki. The elders and relatives give her blessings and sadka money to the family maids and poor. Mithai (sweet) is served. Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract. It takes place at the bride’s house or sometimes at the Masjid. The headman of the village usually the Maulvi performs this ceremony. The bride and groom must both have three witnesses present. A close male relative asks from girl her consent and gets her signatures on the Nikahnama. Dried dates are served to guest to celebrate. Mehndi or Rasm e-Henna is generally celebrated couple of days before wedding. The bride wears a yellow dress for this event and uses only light, or no, make up. Flowers are worn by women like gajray (flower garlands) in place of jewellary. While the groom wears a white shalwar kameez. The bride and the groom are brought forward under a decorative dupatta by their close relatives and friends. The women of the family sing traditional wedding songs and dance on this occasion. The bride’s palms and soles are decorated with intricate Mehndi designs. Shaadi, Baraat or Rukhsati is the main day of marriage. It kicks off with Sehra-bandi. The groom wears a sehra ( a veil of flowers) from his residence. Family members of the groom present him gifts or salami (gift money). The reception of barat is organized by the bride’s family so it traditionally takes place in the bride’s home (hotels or marriage halls); tents may be set up to accommodate guests. The place is suitably and auspiciously decorated with lights for the festive occasion. The bridegroom starts out from his home in a form of procession on cars (traditionally on a decorated horse to the music of shenai (a shrill flute) and dholak (drums)) with his family and friends. They are greeted by the bride’s family with flowers garland and rose petals. It is customary for the bride's sisters and friends to stop the barat from entering the arena until a sufficient amount of cash is given to them. Other traditional rasams include doodh pilai (milk drinking), jooti chupai (hiding shoes). The bride traditionally wears a heavily embroidered red outfit along with jewellary while the groom wears sherwani with a sehra or turban. Food, sweets, pans are served afterwards in feast. Finally, the Rukhsati takes place, when the groom and his family leave together with the bride. Usually Quran is held over the bride for blessings. The departure of the bride becomes a very emotional scene as she says farewell to the home of her parents and siblings to start a new married life. (Traditionally, the bride leaves in Doli or paalki palanquin). Upon arrival at home, rasam like Kheer-chattai (rice pudding licking) is performed. It is also customary for the bride's family to offer gifts to the groom and his family members which is known as Salami. Valima is the final day of wedding celebrated at the house of the bridegroom. It mainly consists of a feast dinner. The bride wears dress and jewellary provided by the groom’s family.

Chand Raat

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after Ramadan after sighting the Shawwal moon, which officially announces the end of Ramadan. The night of moon sighting (29th or 30th Ramadan) is called Chand Raat and once moon is sighted then all is celebration, excitement and greetings. The youth engage in exploding fire crackers and jubilating, while girls apply henna or Mehndi (temporary tattoos) on their hands. The women get busy in making food preparation for the next day. People flood markets to do last minute shopping for the eid as it is traditional to wear new clothes on eid, wear bangles and apply mehndi on hands and cook sweet dishes.

Mela Chiraghan/Mela Shalamar

Mela Chiraghan/Mela Shalamar or the festival of lamps/lights is a three day annual festivalto mark the urs (death anniversary) of the Punjabi Sufi poet and saint Shah Hussain. It takes place at the shrine of Shah Hussain in Baghbanpura, on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan, adjacent to the Shalimar Gardens. It is held during the last week of March.

Sibi Mela

Sibi lies to the south-east of Quetta. Since as long as the 15th century, this town has been a meeting place for all the tribal chiefs of the area. The British carried on this tradition in the shape of an annual Durbar or meeting, combining it with a Mela (fair) where thousands of Baluchi tribesmen gathered along with their animals in mid February. This tradition still carries on and every year during February, Sibi celebrates its famous Sibi Mela, where tribesmen flock from all over Baluchistan, parts of Sind and Punjab with their animals. The salient features of this mela are horse and cattle and cultural shows, camel races, animal markets and exhibitions of handicrafts, tribal dresses and folk dances.

Silk Route Festival

The northern regions of Pakistan like other regions and provinces hold a different heritage of arts, crafts, history, landscape and people. Silk Route festival is one such festival, which provides opportunity to locals and tourists to take a look at the cultural festivities of this region.
Artisans from various parts of Northern areas display their work in decorative pavilions.
Folk dancers and musicians from all parts of Northern Areas as well as from the neighboring Xinjiang Province of China and Central Asia provide entertainment to visitors. Other highlights of the festivals include food festivals, polo matches and camping.

Norouz Festival

In Northern Pakistan (Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan) Norouz is celebrated as a socio-religious festival. It is also celebrated with much fervour in Balochistan and in the urban centres of Karachi and Lahore. The day coincides with the coming of spring season on March 21, but the celeberation continues for weeks. In Baltistan, the main feature of Norouz is gifting of coloured eggs to friends and playing polo, volley ball, hockey and football, westling, tug of war alongside folk dances, songs and music and exhibition of handicraft. While in Balochistan, the festival is marked with outdoor feasts, and the traditional jumping over a fire to wash away sins and usher in a fresh start. The origins of this festival are pre-Islamic and date back to when Pakistan was part of the Persian Empire for several thousand years.

Polo Festival at Shandur

Shandur Polo festival is a traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit and is held on the Shandur Pass of Chitral district from 7th to 9th July each year. People from the entire region, flock in numbers to support their respective teams in a thrilling game of polo. Besides the match, the festival also includes fishing at the nearby streams and lakes, mountaineering, trekking, hiking and horseback riding and a festival of folk dances and music of the Northern Pakistan. Souvenir shops and craft shops are set up to promote the local culture.
The game of polo was introduced in South Asia, by the Muslim conquerors in the 13th Century. The game has its origin in Central Asia where it was a sort of training game for cavalry units for the King’s guards. Eventually, it became the national game of Persians in the 6th Century AD. The word Polo is an English counterpart of a Baltic word meaning ball. The first polo tournament at the Shandur Pass was held in 1936. A British political agent, Major Cobb, who was fond of playing polo under a full moon, had the polo ground near Shandur, named 'Moony Polo Ground'. In ancient times, there was no limit to the number of players and no time limit. Whichever team scored nine goals first, became the winner. Today, there are six players in each side. The game lasts for one hour with a ten-minute break. This game is very much popular in Northern Pakistan.

Kalash Festivals

Kalash valleys are located in the northern most district of Pakistan i.e. Chitral. The people inhabiting the valleys are Kalash and Kam, a primitive pagan tribe living in three valleys of Bumburaite, Birir and Ramboor, and commonly referred to as ‘Kafirs of Kalash’-a name given by the Muslims because the inhabitants are non-believers or pagan. The people of Kalash are thought to be the descendents of Alexander’s army, which makes them an ancient tribe as old as 2000 BC. Presently Kalash have about 3000 inhabitants. They speak a dialect, which is a mixture of Dardic and Sanskrit. Kalash people love music and dancing particularly on festive occasions. Following are some of the festivals celebrated by Kalash people during the year. These events have become a regular attraction for people here and abroad.
Chowmas or Chitirmass is celebrated between 18th to 21st December and marks the first winter snow fall and coming of the New Year. It is a weeklong festival. Men congregate in the hills, women in plains and sacrifice goats. People remain indoor, feasting, drinking and merry making until the elders, (who sit on hill tops watching the sun reach the horizon), declare the advent of the New Year. Thereafter, the people light torches and perform their commemorative dance and sacrifice goats.
Joshi or Chilimjusht is celebrated on 14th & 15th May and marks the coming of spring when women and girls pick the first flowers of the year, a yellow species called bechu. For a week before the festival, milk is collected and butter and cheese is made. On the day itself, people visit each other and exchange milk, milk products and flowers.
Utchal is a 2-day of celebration, which marks the harvest of wheat and barley. There is much singing, dancing and feasting on the occasion.
Phool is celebrated in September or October and marks the reaping of the grapes and walnut harvests. All these festivals are celebrated with traditional dances, music, singing of traditional songs and exchange of dishes. Weddings in Kalash are accompanied by big feasts with sacrificial offerings. Similarly there are funeral dances as well.

Horse & Cattle Show

This is a week long show held at Lahore Fortress Stadium (between the end of February till the beginning of March). It describes Pakistan’s agricultural and industrial achievements. Both local and foreign people attend the festival with great enthusiasm. On this occasion, all the four provinces of Pakistan participate and display the best breeds of their livestock, agricultural progress and industrial advancement. The show includes parades by the military band, folk dances, horse riding tricks, motor bike tricks and free fall para trooping, parade of animals, dances by horses and camels, polo matches, dog shows and their races, stunts, rhythmically physical exercise by the children and industrial floats etc. Mashal or Shama parade at night with fascinating fireworks is a popular part of the event.

The show was introduced by the army to project the cattle wealth of the country in the early fifties and eventually it became an international event, attracting dignitaries from abroad and foreign tourists.

Lok Virsa Mela

Lok Virsa Mela is a week-long festival celebrated at Lok Virsa, Islamabad usually in the IST week of October. This festival presents a unique opportunity for people to have a first hand experience in watching provincial artisans at work, making khussa, weaving or block printing. Over the years, this festival has got due international fame and more than 20 different countries send their artisans and performers to participate in the festival. Each province of Pakistan gets a separate area to display their provincial items. Pavilions are decorated according to each province’s landmarks.

Quaid-e-Azam Day

This day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 25th December. On this day, various programs are held to shed light on the personality of Jinnah, his vision and participation in the creation of Pakistan. Functions are held both at private and government level to commemorate this event.

Iqbal Day

This day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal on 9th November. Allama Muhammad Iqbal was the renowned national poet of Pakistan whose poetry in Urdu and Persian is considered to be among the greatest of the modern era and whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan. On this day, works of Iqbal, his philosophy and teachings and his active participation in the creation of Pakistan is remembered.

Air Force Day

Air Force day is celebrated on 7th September each year.

Aircrafts are put on display and air shows are held in various cities.

Defence Day

Defence Day of Pakistan is celebrated on 6th September each year. This day commemorates the 17-day war with India in 1965. On this day military equipments are put on display for the general public. Medals and recognitions are awarded to personnel for their work and soldiers are remembered for their bravery during the war.

Pakistan Day

Pakistan Day is celebrated on 23rd March each year. It marks the anniversary of the historic Lahore Resolution (later named Pakistan Resolution) when the idea of Pakistan was proposed at the site where now stands the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. The object of this resolution was to launch the struggle for the attainment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent, governed then by the British.

Independence Day

The 14th of August is celebrated every year to mark the Independence of Pakistan. This is the day for which the Muslims of the sub-continent struggled so hard in order to achieve independence from British Raj and create a Muslim country of their own. Independence Day of Pakistan is celebrated throughout the country with patriotic zeal. People put up national flag and buntings on houses, buildings and even cars. At night, fireworks and illumination are displayed. Milli nagmay or national songs are played on television and radio. Other celebrations follow throughout the day.

Funeral Rites

Muslims believe that death is a departure from the temporary life of this world, followed by eternal life after the Day of Judgment. The dying person is encouraged to recite Kalama (Muslims declaration of faith). The body of the deceased person is bathed and covered with a clean white shroud. Islam encourages people to refrain from wailing and screaming. Funeral prayers or Namaz-e-Janaza, led by the Imam are usually held outdoors. The face of the deceased is turned right towards Mecca. The Muslims in Pakistan have adopted some customs like soyem or qul (4th day after death), novin (9th day after death), chehlum or chaliswaan (40th day after death) are held. In all these events, the bereaved family recites Quranic verses and offer prayer or dua to Allah Almighty to forgive and have mercy on the deceased person. It is also called khatam or Quran khawaani. It has also become customary to cook and distribute meals among people.

Birth Rites

There are several Islamic customs pertaining to the birth of a child in a Muslim family. These traditions are performed on the first day and after 7th day of birth. The father of the child gives Azaan or Muslims call to prayer into the right ear of the newborn while Iqamah in the left ear. It is also Sunnat to rub honey or pulp of a softened date on the baby’s gums. This is called Ghutti. Some rites are performed on or after seventh day of birth. The aqeeqah is a sacrifice made for the newborn child. Two sheep for boy and one sheep for a girl is sacrificed mostly on the 7th day after the birth. The meat is distributed to the relatives, neighbors and poor. After the sacrifice of Aqeeqah, the baby’s head is shaved. The hair is weighed and an equivalent weight in silver is given in charity. Muslim baby boys are circumcised mostly when they are seven days old. It is also traditional to choose a name for the baby till the seventh day.

Ramadan

Ramadan (the 9th Islamic month) is the Holy month of fasting for Muslims. During this month, between the hours of early dawn and sunset Muslims observe fast and refrain from taking food, drink, tobacco or worldly pleasures, anger, arrogance of thought and action, dishonesty in any form and all evil which beset both mind and body. It is sunnat to break fast with water and date. People cook extra food to be given to less fortunate. The last Friday of Ramadan is called Jumatul Widda or Farewell Friday and on this day like all other Fridays people make it a point to offer prayers in Masjids. Apart from religious fervour, Ramadan is a month long food festival as well. Pakoray, Samosay, chaat, Dhai Bhalay form necessary food dishes at Aftari table.

Youm-e-Ashura

Muharram is the first month of Muslims’ lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of Islamic Calendar (the other three being Dhul-Qadh, Dhul-Hajj and Rajab). The 9th and 10th of Moharram is mourned in the memory of the death anniversay of Hussain (R.A), the grandson of Messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H), who sacrified his life alongwith his family members and friends in the Battle of Karbalah, fought against the Caliph of that time. The day is named Ashura (10 Days), and during this day mourning processions and rallies are taken out. Mourners cry and beat their chest in commemoration of this tragic event. Traditional dishes like Haleem and Pulao are cooked and distributed.

Milad-un-Nabi

Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated by some Muslims to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H) on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal (the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar). People celebrate this occasion by holding Milads or gatherings where naats in praise of Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) are recited to remember, observe, discuss and celebrate the birthday and teachings of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Eid-ul-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha is the second Muslim festive day, which is celebrated on the 10th of Zil Haj (the 12th month of Islamic Calendar). This eid commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah. People offer collective Namaz-i-Eid in masjids in the morning and sacrifice goats, sheep, cows or camels and distribute meat among relatives, friends and poor. Over the year’s special cuisines like Kalaiji (liver), Pulao, tikkay or Barbecue and a wide variety of meat-based dishes have developed to be cooked especially for this occasion.
During these two eids, people enjoy extended holidays. Eid days are spent visiting relatives and friends or going to parks, lakes and picnic spots and sharing gifts and sweets with loved ones.

Eid-ul-Fitr

The month of Ramadan (the Muslim holy month of fasting) is followed by Eid-ul-Fitr; one of the two Eids (the other being Eid-ul-Adha, celebrated on the 10th of Zil Hajj) celebrated by the Muslims all over the world. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after sighting Shawal (10th month of Islamic Calendar) moon, which officially announces the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is intended as a day of rejoicing and thanks giving to Allah. Eid-ul-Fitr is locally called Choti Eid or Meethi Eid (sweet eid), as a special form of vermicelli’s called sawwayian are cooked. Eid ki Namaz or Eid prayers also attract large number of people; men, women and children to the masjids or Eidgah. People give fitrana or charity to poor and Eidi (money) to children.

Shab-e-Miraj

Shab-e-Miraaj or the night of Ascent is celebrated on 27th of Rajab. It is that blessed night when the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was spiritually transported from Holy Kaaba to Baitul Muqaddas or masjid Al-Aqsa and from there to the Heavens and beyond. Following is Ayat (verse) from Holy Quran referring to the physical journey of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) that was completed within a small part of the night.

Glorified (and exalted) be He (Allah) who took his slave (Mohammad) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to Al-Masjid-al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) the neighborhood whereof we have blessed, in order that we might show him (Mohammad) of our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc). Verily, he is the all hearer, the all seer. [Surah Al-Isra’ 17:Ayat 1]

On this day, the houses, streets and especially the masjids are decorated and illuminated at night by lights, and diyas (terracotta oil lamps). People assemble in masjids and engage in prayers and seeking Blessings of Almighty Allah. The food in most cases traditional sweet dishes is distributed among the neighbours, relatives, friends and poor people in the community.

Shab-e-Qadar

Shab-e-Qadar or Lailatul Qadar means the night of honour and dignity as this night holds the honour of the occasion when Holy Quran was transferred from Lauh-e-Mahfooz to Bait-ul-Izzat, from where it was revealed to Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) over a span of 23 years. It is one of the sacred and blessed nights likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last ten days of Ramadan and usually thought to be the night of 27th Ramadan. The night is spent in remembering Allah in prayers, seeking forgiveness and reciting astaghfar.

Shab-e-Barat

Shab-e-Barat or the night of salvation is celebrated on the 15th of Shaaban (the 8th Islamic month) by many Muslims. It is a night of seeking forgiveness and repenting to Almighty Allah. The night is spent in remembrance of Allah and keeping fast the next day. Sweet dishes like halwa, kheer and zarda are cooked and distributed among people. The children celebrate this night in a joyous manner and are seen in the streets with sparklers, skyrockets and small crackers. Houses, shops and other buildings are decorated with colorful lights and diyas (terracotta oil lamps).