Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
KPK Culture in Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province is the smallest of Pakistan’s four administrative provinces. The country’s northwest region is home to 35.53 million people (2017 census) spread over 101,741 km² of territory. The province has the third-largest population and economic output. It was previously known as the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). Later, in 2010, it was called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK). Peshawar is the province’s capital and largest city.
Geographically, Afghanistan forms the 1100-kilometer-long northwestern border of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province; Gilgit-Baltistan is located to the northeast; the Federal Capital of Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, Punjab covers the southeastern section; and the northern tip of Balochistan forms the province’s southern border.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contains 35 districts and 46 cities. Peshawar is the province’s capital and largest city. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s major cities and towns include Abbottabad, Bannu, Barikot, Charsada, Chitral, Haripur, Mardan, Mingora, Mansehra, Nowshera, Peshawar, and Saidu Sharif.
Culture and Heritage: A Tapestry of Diversity
People
The region accounts for 11.9% of Pakistan’s overall population. The bulk of the population is Pakhtun or Pashtun, followed by Hazarewal, Chitrali, Kalash, and Gujjars. Pashtuns, often known as Pathans, make up the majority of the province’s population (more than 75%). They are well-known for their courage, loyalty, and chivalry. The majority of disagreements are settled by the Jirgah system, which is led by the society’s tribal elders.
Yusufzai, Bangesh, Khattak, Marwat, Afridi, Orakzai, Mohmand, Mahsud, Wazir, Bannuchi, Bhittani, Daavi, Qazi Khel, Gandapur, and Ghargasht were among the most significant tribes. Non-Pashtun tribes in the province include Jhut, Mughal, Turks, Rajputs, and Abbasi Syeds. According to Thomas H. Jonson and M. Chris Mason in “No Sign Until the Burst of Fire”, “Pashtun believes that their social code produces men, who are superior to those under the Western model, and they have no desire to have a new social system imposed on them by outsiders” .
Clothing
Pashtun men’s traditional clothing is Shalwar Qameez (Partoog-Korteh in Pashtu) with a turban. Turbans with erect flaps are considered a mark of honor. However, the turban is typically worn by elderly men. The current generation wears topis or kufis, which are also peculiar to Pashtuns. Aside from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta, Pashtuns in Afghanistan dress almost identically. Because they have a strong tribal system, the tribe leaders typically wear a Karakul cap. Peshawari Chappal is a traditional footwear popular not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but throughout the country. Women in urban regions dress according to current fashion trends. However, in rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, women wear Burqas to cover their full body.
Religious Tapestry
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s population is predominantly Muslim. However, the Kalash tribes of southern Chitral have managed to maintain their ancient Greco-Animist faith. Moreover, there are extremely few adherents of the Roman Catholicism sect of Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
Arts & Craft
The province’s major arts and crafts were carpentry, Chappal manufacturing, stone jewelry, brass and copper vessels, hand-woven woolen fabrics, leatherwork, hand-knotted rugs, carpets, and wool caps, among others.
Culture
Pashtu culture is based on Pashtunwali. It is an ancient style of life distinguished by the usage of the native Pashtu language and traditional clothing. Aside from the dress code, Pashtu poetry, folk music, and traditional dances are important aspects of the Pashtuns’ rich culture. People continue to live in mixed families, and planned marriages are part of the tradition. The Pashtu culture dates back to Alexander the Great. However, over the years, the Pashtun culture has been impacted in some ways by the people of South and Western Asia. The Hindko culture shares many similarities with the Pashtu culture, however the Chitrali and Kalash tribes follow wholly separate patterns. The Kalash have distinct architecture, customs, folktales, and musical instruments. The Chitrali people have their own set of cultural values, similar to those of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Languages
Pashtu is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s province language, spoken as the first language by the vast majority of the population (more than 75%). Hindko, Saraiki, Khowar, Kohistani, Kalasha, and Gojri are the secondary languages spoken by various ethnic groups in their respective locations. Urdu, the national language, serves as a medium of communication at educational institutions and is spoken for official purposes, but English is used for official correspondence and is also taught in academic institutions. Arabic is mostly utilized for religious and educational purposes. In 2011, the provincial government approved the inclusion of Pashto, Hindko, Saraiki, Khowar, and Kohistanis as mandatory courses in schools in the districts where they are spoken.
Dances
Dance Attan: The dancers perform to music. This dance is performed by both genders and consists of 2-5 steps, with the final step being a clap while facing the center, after which the process is repeated. This dance is usually conducted with the musician controlling the duration and speed.
Khattak dance: The Khattak dance is performed by the Khattak tribe.
Mahsud dance: The Mahsud tribe of Pashtuns conduct a unique dance performance with weapons. It was first utilized for wartime dancing, but it has since evolved into a popular cultural dance. The dancers perform with only huge drums and no other props. Nowadays, however, the dancers hold the firearms in their hands.
Waziri dance: Two drummers and a flute player perform a specific tune. Two people leave the circle and dance towards the drums before returning. During the performance, both people turn around twice: once towards each other, face to face, and once in the opposite direction. After doing this independently, they march while dancing in front of the crowd.
Culinary Delights: A Feast for the Senses
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cuisine is well-known throughout Pakistan, just as Chinese cuisine is worldwide. These dedicated and diligent folks understand the significance of healthy nutrition. Tikka, Dunba Karhai, Chappal Kabab, Kabuli Pulao, Saag, and Jawar roti (bread) are popular dishes, as is their particular long bread. The Chitrali and Kalash people who live in the province’s remote, colder zone eat organic and low-fat foods comprised primarily of dry fruits, meat, and organic vegetables.
Attractions
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provides a diverse range of tourist attractions as well as a welcoming environment for visitors. Because of its geographical location, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been home to a variety of civilizations that have flourished and gone over time.
Geographically, the region can be divided into three distinct zones.
- The Northern Zone is a mountainous region that includes the beautiful valleys of Swat, Galiyat, Kaghan, Naran, Kalash, Chitral, and Dir. The beautiful tourist attractions in the northern zone are rich in natural attractive valleys, national parks, peaceful lakes, gushing rivers, glaciers, mountains, historic sites, and cultural diversity, making them ideal for winter sports and summer retreats. The mountainous zone is well-known around the world, particularly for its Kalash area and tribe, which maintains a distinct culture.
- The Central Zone includes Peshawar Valley, which has been the home of several previous civilizations that have left a strong impact on the region, creating great history for future generations.
- The Southern Zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa includes the districts of Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan, as well as adjacent tribal regions with harsh, barren hills and extensive gravelly plains with patches of alluvial agricultural fields. The region has had numerous ups and downs because several invaders have marched through it in the past. As a result, the ruling dynasties left traces on the area that historians, tourists, and scholars can explore.
Things to Do Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
The choice of activities varies, as do the different scenery and cultural attractions. The northern valleys of the mountainous regions are ideal for visiting in the spring, summer, and autumn. During the bloom and autumn seasons, the enchanting valleys of Chitral and Kalash display spellbinding splendor. The valleys give excellent opportunities for tourists, particularly photographers and environment lovers. Similarly, the mountains and glaciers of Chitral draw foreign tourists who engage in mountaineering and climbing activities during the summer. Tourists are also drawn to the Kalash valleys’ lively cultural celebrations in the early summer and autumn. Swat, Chitral, and Kaghan valleys, as well as the Galiyat, receive enough snow to give winter sports options for tourists during the winter and make excellent summer retreats. Peshawar is more historical, containing archaeological and cultural monuments that are worth visiting practically all year. The southern half is historical, but not as appealing as the central and northern regions.
