Sindhi CultureSindhi Culture

IntroductionIntroduction Sindh is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and Sindh is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and

historical home to Sindhi people.historical home to Sindhi people. Also known as “Mehran” and has been given the Also known as “Mehran” and has been given the

title of “Bab-ul-Islam” (The Gateway of Islam), and title of “Bab-ul-Islam” (The Gateway of Islam), and also called as “Indus Valley”.also called as “Indus Valley”.

Sindh is bounded to the west by Indus River and Sindh is bounded to the west by Indus River and Balochistan, to the north by Punjab, the east by Balochistan, to the north by Punjab, the east by the Indian states of Gujrat and Rajasthan and to the Indian states of Gujrat and Rajasthan and to south by the Arabian Sea.south by the Arabian Sea.

The capital of Province is Karachi, the largest city The capital of Province is Karachi, the largest city of the Pakistan and financial hub.of the Pakistan and financial hub.

Cont. . . Cont. . . Most of the population in province is Muslim, with Most of the population in province is Muslim, with

sizeable Hindu minorities.sizeable Hindu minorities. The main language spoken is Sindhi by about 35 The main language spoken is Sindhi by about 35

million people, while there exists a significant Urdu-million people, while there exists a significant Urdu-speaking minority of about 8 million.speaking minority of about 8 million.

Sindhi language is logistically considered to be the Sindhi language is logistically considered to be the sister language of Sanskrit, Balochi, Gujarati, sister language of Sanskrit, Balochi, Gujarati, Rajhastani for having influences of Sindhi, However Rajhastani for having influences of Sindhi, However accommodating substantial Persian, Turkish and accommodating substantial Persian, Turkish and Arabic words.Arabic words.

Area: 140,914 kmArea: 140,914 km22 (54,407 sq mi) (54,407 sq mi) Population : 42,400,000 (780/sq mi)Population : 42,400,000 (780/sq mi)

Map of Sindh ProvinceMap of Sindh Province

Literature and Literature and LanguageLanguage

Sindhi 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.

Cont. . . Cont. . .

It is also recorded that treatises were written It is also recorded that treatises were written in Sindhi on astronomy, medicine and history in Sindhi on astronomy, medicine and history during the eighth and ninth centuries.during the eighth and ninth centuries.

The age of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (Kalhora The age of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (Kalhora period) is most significant in the history of period) is most significant in the history of Sindhi literature.Sindhi literature.

Sindhi AlphabetSindhi Alphabet

Sindhi CultureSindhi Culture Family system in SindhFamily system in Sindh Sindhi Topi and AjrakSindhi Topi and Ajrak Sindhi people’s DressingSindhi people’s Dressing Dressing in MarriageDressing in Marriage FoodsFoods Sindhi MusicSindhi Music Sindhi DanceSindhi Dance Sports of SindhSports of Sindh FestivalsFestivals Historical places which represents the cultural historyHistorical places which represents the cultural history

Family system in SindhFamily system in Sindh

In rural areas of Sindh the system of family is In rural areas of Sindh the system of family is Joint Family.Joint Family.

But in urban areas there is very less of Joint But in urban areas there is very less of Joint families.families.

Sindhi Topi and AjrakSindhi Topi and Ajrak

Sindhi Topi(cap):Sindhi Topi(cap):Sindhi Topi is regarded Sindhi Topi is regarded as an essential part of as an essential part of Sindhi culture and Sindhi culture and symbol of Sindhi symbol of Sindhi nationalism.nationalism.Sindhi Topi is circular Sindhi Topi is circular except for a portion cut except for a portion cut out in the front to out in the front to expose the forehead.expose the forehead.

Cont. . . Cont. . . Ajrak of Sindh hallmark Ajrak of Sindh hallmark

of the Sindhi civilization.of the Sindhi civilization.Ajrak is a different and Ajrak is a different and

unique form of block unique form of block printed Shawls and printed Shawls and Scarfs.Scarfs.

Ajrak are worn by girls Ajrak are worn by girls as well as boys.as well as boys.

Ajraks are usually about Ajraks are usually about 2.5 to 3-meters long.2.5 to 3-meters long.

Sindhi People’s Sindhi People’s DressingDressing

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

Cont. . .Cont. . .Sindhi Women Dress:Sindhi Women Dress:

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

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

Dressing in MarriageDressing in Marriage

In Marriage it is In Marriage it is compulsory for the compulsory for the groom to wear Ajrak groom to wear Ajrak and topi.and topi.

Ajrak is given to Ajrak is given to bride when she is bride when she is leaving her parent leaving her parent house at the time of house at the time of marriage.marriage.

FoodsFoods

Sindh has its own Sindh has its own unique foods which unique foods which are totally different are totally different from other provinces from other provinces of Pakistan.of Pakistan.

There are some There are some vegetables which are vegetables which are only cultivated in few only cultivated in few areas of Sindh and areas of Sindh and mostly used there.mostly used there.

Cont. . .Cont. . .

Pali MaaniPali Maani

Sindhi BiryaniSindhi Biryani

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

MusicMusic

Sindhi music has its own unique quality, it is Sindhi music has its own unique quality, it is performed in may different ways.performed in may different ways.

Sufi music is performed at shrines and other Sufi music is performed at shrines and other simple music is performed at studios and simple music is performed at studios and gatherings.gatherings.

Most famous Sindhi music is Shah Jo Raag over all Most famous Sindhi music is Shah Jo Raag over all in Sindh in which 30 basic Surr are included and in Sindh in which 30 basic Surr are included and all these Surr are derived from Shah Jo Rissalo.all these Surr are derived from Shah Jo Rissalo.

All Surr are sung when Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s All Surr are sung when Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s verses are being sung by singers.verses are being sung by singers.

IInstruments used in Sindhi nstruments used in Sindhi MusicMusic

Yaktaro Yaktaro TanpuraTanpuraAlghozaAlghozaNarrNarrDhol (Duhul in Dhol (Duhul in

Sindhi)Sindhi)PungiPungi

Sindhi DanceSindhi Dance

Ho JamaloHo Jamalo This dance is done This dance is done

on the verses of song on the verses of song “Ho Jamalo” wearing “Ho Jamalo” wearing sindhi topi and Ajrak.sindhi topi and Ajrak.

All sindhi makes the All sindhi makes the circle and dance circle and dance together.together.

Also called as Sindhi Also called as Sindhi dance.dance.

Cont. . .Cont. . .

DhammalDhammal Performed at Sufi Performed at Sufi

shrines/dargahs in shrines/dargahs in Sindh and PunjabSindh and Punjab

• Sindhi Jhumar• It is slower and

rhythmic dance

Sindhi SportsSindhi Sports

There are many regional There are many regional sports that are played in sports that are played in Sindh. “Malakhiro” is one the Sindh. “Malakhiro” is one the famous sports of sindh.famous sports of sindh.

Malakhiro is traditional sindhi Malakhiro is traditional sindhi wrestling competetion.wrestling competetion.

Other sports include “Wanjh Other sports include “Wanjh Watti” “Kodi Kodi” etcWatti” “Kodi Kodi” etc

FestivalsFestivals

There are so many culture festivals in Sindh There are so many culture festivals in Sindh but the most popular is “Ekta Day” or also but the most popular is “Ekta Day” or also called as “Topi Ajrak Day” which is celebrated called as “Topi Ajrak Day” which is celebrated in world wide by Sindhi people.in world wide by Sindhi people.

On this festival all Sindhi wears the Sindhi Topi On this festival all Sindhi wears the Sindhi Topi Ajrak and shows the unity with each other.Ajrak and shows the unity with each other.

On this festival Sindhs sings the songs verses On this festival Sindhs sings the songs verses “Jeay Sindh Jeay Sindh wara jean Sindhi topi “Jeay Sindh Jeay Sindh wara jean Sindhi topi ajrak wara Jean” or “Ho Jamalo” and dances on ajrak wara Jean” or “Ho Jamalo” and dances on these verses to show their love with their these verses to show their love with their culture.culture.

Historical places of Historical places of SindhSindh

Moen Jo DaroMoen Jo Daro

Raani KotRaani Kot The world largest fortThe world largest fort Also called as great Also called as great

wall of Sindhwall of Sindh Circumference of

approximately 26 kilometers

Cont. . .Cont. . .

Kot Diji FortKot Diji Fort

Thank you All Thank you All

Jeay SindhJeay SindhJeay Pakistan Jeay Pakistan

Any Questions??Any Questions??