Pakistan boasts a rich heritage and multiple cultural identities. Much of it is tied closely to India, as these modern-day countries were once part of the same political entity. After India gained independence post-rWorld War II, the Partition of India essentially created both Pakistan and Bangladesh. This upheaval can make some genealogical research a challenge because you might have to search multiple countries’ records in order to figure out where your ancestors came from, went, and lived for most of their lives.
Regardless of how the events unfolded in your family, it is possible to unearth the unique cultural identities and traditions surrounding those who shared your last name and genetics. This lets you better understand everything from daily life to migration decisions. Also, you’ll have a stronger foundation of understanding about the beliefs and practices that shaped your modern family.
Consider bringing back some of these traditions and carrying them on to future generations. Throughout time, Pakistani family life has been the cornerstone of this cultural identity.
Diverse Groups, Languages, Religions, and Cultures
One of the most important and interesting things to understand about Pakistan is just how diverse it really is. While many countries have a variety of traditions based on region or time period, this one currently has six main ethnic groups to consider. Start with your surname to narrow down the ethnic considerations. It will also allow you to pinpoint the source of documents you should look at first.
Pakistani people speak Urdu most commonly, but others include Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi, and more. Different languages can make document research a challenge in some cases, although most should be in the national language at this time. Documents from the colonial period are in English. Combining surname knowledge from things like birth, marriage, and business documents tells you a lot about which languages, and therefore regions, to explore for more in-depth information.
Traditions and Cultural Practices to Share with Your Family
It’s impossible to list all the unique regional and micro-cultural practices, observances, and artistry in a diverse country like this. However, there are some options that many people of past generations would share. These make good jumping off points for celebrating and learning today.
Religious Practices
The majority of people in Pakistan practice Islam, with Sunni Islam more commonly practiced than Shia. Hinduism is the next most common religion, with Christianity coming in third. In most cases, traditional religious beliefs and customs are still in use today no matter where the family immigrated to in modern times. Chances are that these traditions are already known and practiced in at least part of your current family, especially when it comes to major holidays, weddings, and the like.
Stories and Songs
With more than 70 different languages and dialects spoken in Pakistan, there’s a huge array of stories, poetry, and songs to explore. Many stories focus on either religious topics or romance, such as Heer Ranjha or Sassi Punnun about a princess and a commoner’s ill-fated love story. Music follows the same basic ideas, although folk songs about everyday work also exist. At the very least, listen to traditional songs during celebrations, such as those sung during a bride’s mehndi or henna decoration. Drums and string instruments like lutes are most common.
Delicious Food
As they share a cultural past and climate, many Pakistani foods are quite similar to those enjoyed in India, but with Arabian influences. In recent years, about 25% of the country is vegetarian. Non-vegetarians enjoy chicken, mutton, and goat dishes with potatoes, beans, and a variety of vegetables. Fish dishes are more traditional near rivers and lakes. Traditional Muslim households follow the restrictions of halal, which forbid the consumption of pork or alcohol and require meat to be slaughtered according to Islamic law. Expect dishes to be cooked with a lot of oil and flavored with spices like cinnamon, cardamon, anise, cumin, black pepper, and the popular Garam masala blend.
When you dive deeper into genealogical discoveries about your unique family past, you will be able to narrow down regional favorites more closely. This can help you pass down unique stories, crafts, or tastes that offer unique insight into where you can from. Even if you struggle to make headway with document research, adopting a few traditional Pakistani elements can help you feel closer to the roots that may appear in your family tree. In the United States and other western nations, immigrants already brought many with them. Now is your chance to explore more and enrich your lives.
The post Being Pakistani: Traditions And Genealogy appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage
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