Culture consists of the way of life, language, ideas, beliefs, customs, codes, institutions, tools, techniques, works of art, and ceremonies of a particular country. According to Allama Iqbal (رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ), “Culture encompasses all the mental, spiritual, and physical activities of a nation. It includes the basic beliefs and faith, values and literature, art and architecture, music and mode of dress, manners and customs prevalent in a given society.”
Pakistan is an ideological Islamic State. Its very existence is due to Islam, 50 Pakistani culture is primarily based on the Islamic way of life. All ingredients of our culture are inspired by Islam. For example, Muslims eat halal food. Pakistani culture is highlighted by its grandeur, simplicity, firm convictions, noble deeds, and ideas. If we study the cultures of Pakistan, there are four different types of cultures present at the provincial level. They are different. They are different from each other in some respects and similar in some ways.
Punjabi
Punjabi people are very warm-hearted and fun-loving. They are a heterogeneous group comprising different tribes, clans, and communities and are known to celebrate each and every tradition of their culture. Punjabi is the provincial language of Punjab. The Punjabi language is spoken as a first language by 44% of Pakistanis. Urdu too is commonly spoken in this region
Dresses
The costumes of Punjab are an indication of the bright and vibrant culture and lifestyle of the people. Punjab is well known for the use of phulkari (embroidery) in its costumes. In most villages of Punjab, men weara pagri (turban), a dhoti/lacha (a silken lungi-like dress), a kurta (long shirt), and khussas (a kind of shoes). Women wear ghararas (wide legged pants), or chooridar pajamas (pleated trousers) or colourful shalwar kameezes, parandas (ribbons worn in the hair), choli/duppatas (short sleeved blouse/scarf), khussas, kola puri chappals (kind of shoes) or tillay walay shoes. In urban areas of Punjab, men and women follow the latest trends and fashion; generally, they wear different styles of shalwar kameezes and pants/shirts.
Cuisine
Most Punjabi food is eaten with either rice or roti (flat bread). There are some dishes that are exclusive to Punjab, such as parathas (oily flat bread), makai ki roti (maize bread), sarson ka saag (leafy vegetable), and in cities choley (gram), haleem (dish prepared with meat and pulses), biryani (rice) and other spicy dishes. In beverages, tea is consumed in all seasons, and as a custom,m most Punjabis serve tea and soft drinks to their guests. Punjabis are also fond of zarda (sweet rice), gulab-jamuns (local sweet), kheer (local dessert), jalaibi (local sweet), samosa, pakorey (spicy patties), etc. During summers, people drink lassi (whey), doodh-soda (milk with soda), aloo bokharey ka sharbat (plum drink), lemonade, etc.
