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Lahore
is cultural, intellectual and artistic center of the nation. Its faded
elegance, busy streets and bazaars, and wide variety of Islamic and
British architecture make it a city full of atmosphere, contrast and
surprise.
The warm and receptive people of Lahore are known for their traditional
hospitality. This is a city of vivid differences, of haunting nuances;
where bustling bazaars, frenetic streets, glorious fading elegance,
British Architecture and echoing atmosphere of city's many mosques
merge together into a history that is both dramatic and fascinating.
Lahore is country's undisputed centre of Cultural life. When somebody
is asked to define the particular charm of their city , Lahoris are
apt to shrug and respond with a laconic , 'Lahore is Lahore'.
Being the center of cultural and literary activities it may rightly
be called the cultural capital of Pakistan.
Marriages
and Betrothal
Betrothal
always precedes a marriage. The proposal is initiated by the near
relatives of the boy or girl and the women of both the sides take
leading part in finalizing the proposal. The wedding may take place
at any time after the betrothal. Marriage between the same sections
of tribe or caste is customary. But inter-marriage between people
of different tribes and castes in cities and towns is becoming more
frequent.
The usual age of marriage for boys is 20 to 30 years and that for
girls is from 18 to 25 years. On the wedding day the relatives and
friends of the boy assemble and proceed in procession to the girl's
house. The marriage procession is generally headed by a musical band.
A marriage party is received by the relatives and friends of the parents
of the girl. The party is then entertained . Thereafter the Nikah
ceremony is performed by the Nikah registrar and a feast is given
to the party. Alms are distributed to beggars and Village Mueens are
fed.
Then the party returns to the house of the bride groom with the bride
but in a doli or in a car. She stays for a couple of days and then
returns to her father's house. The final bringing home of the bride
is called Muklawa. The dowry in the shape of ornaments, clothing and
furniture etc. is given to the girl from her parents.
Houses
Houses
are a mixture of old and modern style of architecture. House are mostly
built of bricks and Concrete . Since independence many new residential
colonies have been built in and around Lahore city.
Food
The staple
food of the city people is wheat , rice and pulses. Meat is frequently
taken specially in cities . Pulses and vegetables are quite common
items of diet. The chief meals are taken just before mid day and in
the evening soon before sunset. But the city folk generally have three
meals , one early in the morning the other at mid day and the third
after sunset.
The ordinary food of villagers, roti made from flour of wheat, grams,
barley, maize, or jawar. In villages morning meal is usually taken
with skimmed yogurt or curd mixed with water known as Lassi. The special
dish for guests in rural areas consist of Halwa, Sewaiyan, chicken
, mutton, or sometimes beef.
While in urban areas , Pulao, Zarda, Buriyani and qorma are served.
Tea is almost universal popular in cities and regulary taken at breakfast
and in the evening. Villagers also take tea specially after meal.
Dress
and Ornaments
In urban
areas semi-western dress is worn by educated people while indigenous
dress is worn at home. The local dress consist of the Kurta and Shalwar.
Achkan and Sherwani are worn on formal occasions. The women's colors
are generally more colorful. The important items of the women clothing
are Shalwar Kamiz and Dopatta or Chaddar to cover their heads and
upper parts of their body. Sari is only worn by women of the upper
classes in cities on formal occasion. Shoes are worn by those living
in city while women folk wear sandals and slippers , Purdah is not
generally observed by city women.
Births
The birth
of a male child is considered an occasion of great rejoicing and is
followed by the distribution of sweets to friends and relatives who
come to offer congratulations to the parents. Soon after the birth
of a child, the Mullah or an elderly male member of the family recites
Azan (call for Muslim prayer) into the ears of the child. Money is
also given to the Mueens (village artisans) on the birth of a male
child at the time of circumcision ceremony which is either performed
soon after the birth or less commonly after a few years.
Circumcision is performed by a barber in the villages and generally
by a surgeon in towns and cities. Aqiqa ceremony is performed both
for a male and a female child. One goat is sacrificed in case of a
girl and two in case of a boy.
Deaths
On the
death of a person, neighbourers, relatives and friends assemble at
the house of the deceased to console the bereaved family. Just after
the death, the face of the deceased is turned towards the Ka'aba and
the dead-body is kept in a proper posture. The corpse is bathed, and
wrapped in a coffin of new cotton sheet. Comphor and rose water are
sprinkled over the body which is placed on a Charpai and those present
have a last look. The dead body accompanied by the mourners is then
carried to the grave-yard where Namaz-e-Janaza is offered before it
is lowered into the grave.
The death is mourned for three days, when Qul ceremony is performed.
The women-folk mourn with great vehemence. On the 40th day, called
Chaliswan, meals are served to friends, relatives and the poor. Christians
also bury their dead. Immediately after death, the local Church authorities
are informed of the occurrence and bells start tolling in the Church.
The dead body is washed and then dressed in the best available garments,
is carried to the Church and placed there for last sight. The mourners
then go past the body and either sprinkle scent or place flower wreaths
on the dead body. The service for the dead is held in the Church where
verses from the Bible are recited and a brief sermon delivered.
The body is then taken to the graveyard and interred. Hindues, Budhists
and Jain burn their dead. Funeral processions often departs from the
house of the dead with musicians in the vanguard. The body is shifted
to a nearby temple, if available in the vicinity, where mantra-chanting
priests lead the prayer. The body is then taken to 'Ghaat' where it
is placed under a pile of dried wood and burnt. Rich Hindus still
use Ghee and Sandal wood to burn their dead. After the body is completely
burnt and reduced to ashes the same are collected and thrown in river
or tossed to the winds. |
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