Sindhi Culture

 

Sindh is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historical home to Sindhi people. Also known as “Mehran” and has been given the title of “Bab-ul-Islam” (The Gateway of Islam), and also called as “Indus Valley”. Sindh is bounded to the west by Indus River and Balochistan, to the north by Punjab, the east by the Indian states of Gujrat and Rajasthan and to south by the Arabian Sea.The capital of Province is Karachi, the largest city of the Pakistan and financial hub. Most of the population in province is Muslim, with sizeable Hindu minorities. The main language spoken is Sindhi by about 35 million people, while there exists a significant Urdu-speaking minority of about 8 million. Each year, Sindhis celebrate Cultural Day worldwide on the first Sunday in the first week of December. Sindhi language is logistically considered to be the sister language of Sanskrit, Balochi, Gujarati, Rajhastani for having influences of Sindhi, However accommodating substantial Persian, Turkish and Arabic words. Some of the traits of sindhi culture are the following;

Literature and Language

Sindhi is very rich and is generally considered to be among the world's oldest. Its writers have contributed extensively in various forms of literature both in poetry and prose. The earliest to Sindhi literature is contained in the writings of Arab historians. It is established that Sindhi was the first and the earliest language of east in which Quran was translated in the eighth or ninth century A.D. It is also recorded that treatises were written in Sindhi on astronomy, medicine and history during the eighth and ninth centuries. The age of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (Kalhora period) is most significant in the history of Sindhi literature.

Family system in Sindh

In rural areas of Sindh the system of family is Joint Family. But in urban areas there is very less of Joint families.

Sindhi Topi and Ajrak

Sindhi Topi is regarded as an essential part of Sindhi culture and symbol of Sindhi nationalism. Sindhi Topi is circular except for a portion cut out in the front to expose the forehead. While Ajrak of Sindh hallmark of the Sindhi civilization.

Ajrak is a different and unique form of block printed Shawls and Scarfs. Ajrak are worn by girls as well as boys. Ajraks are usually about 2.5 to 3-meters long.

Dressing

Sindhi Men Dress:

In Sindhi culture Men usually wear the shalwar and Kameez along with the Sindhi Topi and Ajrak.

Sindhi Women Dress:

Sindhi women are fond of wearing heavy worked dresses along with the Sindhi Ajrak as a security of women.

Now a days it compulsory for girls to wear Ajrak with their uniform of collages and Schools.

Dressing in Marriage

In Marriage it is compulsory for the groom to wear Ajrak and topi. Ajrak is given to bride when she is leaving her parent house at the time of marriage.

 

Foods:

Sindh has its own unique foods which are totally different from other provinces of Pakistan. There are some vegetables which are only cultivated in few areas of Sindh and mostly used there.

●    Pali Maani

●    Sindhi Biryani

●    The Meal(Roti) made up from floor of rice

Music

Sindhi music has its own unique quality, it is performed in may different ways. Sufi music is performed at shrines and other simple music is performed at studios and gatherings. Most famous Sindhi music is Shah Jo Raag over all in Sindh in which 30 basic Surr are included and all these Surr are derived from Shah Jo Rissalo. All Surr are sung when Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s verses are being sung by singers.

Instruments used in Sindi Music:

●        Yaktaro

●        Tanpura

            ●     Alghoza                                                                                            

●        Narr

●        Dhol (Duhul in Sindhi)

●        Pungi

Dance

Ho Jamalo:

●    This dance is done on the verses of song “Ho Jamalo” wearing sindhi topi and Ajrak.

●    All sindhi makes the circle and dance together.

Also called as Sindhi dance

Dhammal:

Performed at Sufi shrines/dargahs in Sindh and Punjab

Sindhi Jhumar:

It is slower and rhythmic dance

 

Sports:

There are many regional sports that are played in Sindh. “Malakhiro” is one the famous sports of sindh. Malakhiro is traditional sindhi wrestling competetion. Other sports include “Wanjh Watti” “Kodi Kodi” etc

 

Festivals

There are so many culture festivals in Sindh but the  most popular is “Ekta Day” or also called as “Topi Ajrak Day” which is celebrated in world wide by Sindhi people. On this festival all Sindhi wears the Sindhi Topi  Ajrak and shows the unity with each other. On this festival Sindhs sings the songs verses “Jeay Sindh Jeay Sindh wara jean Sindhi topi ajrak wara Jean” or “Ho Jamalo” and dances on these verses to show their love with their culture.