(Writer Muhammad Faisal)
Table of contents
• Introduction
• Origin, Background & People
• Cuisines
• Costumes
• Festivals and Observances
• Handicrafts
• Dance and Music
• Occupation
• Sports & Game
• Some special things about Kashmiri culturse
The culture of Kashmir is a blend of multiple customs and came from Northern India, Northern Pakistan and the Chinese territory of Aksai Chin. The state enjoys the presence of mix religions and that’s why Kashmir is famous for its cultural heritage. It amalgamates Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist people who make Kashmir more beautiful by adopting their own culture that has brought many changes in their living style.
Origin, Background & People
The Kashmiri population in an ethno-linguistic group that can be compared with an Indo-Greek with their racial structure of the Kashmiris. The native of Kashmiri people lives in Pakistan, Upper Punjab and Potohar where they organize a group and live together. Although, Kashmiri people live in different parts of world they are mainly gathered in the Valley of Kashmir Poonch, Mzd and mirpur thasils division of AJ&K. Their language is highly influenced by the Phari & Urdu language and mostly spoken by Kashmiri Muslims. However, you can find variation in language when you will travel to different parts of Azad Kashmir. Their writing script consists of Perscio Arabic style.
According to the sources, Wazwan and their culture is highly influenced by Central Asian and Persian culture. Their dance, music, cuisine, carpet weaving and Koshur Sufiana forms a significant part of Kashmiri identity. Kashmiri culture is mainly followed by people living in Kashmir valley. The valley is known for the fine arts including traditional boats and houseboats, handicrafts and poetry.
Cuisines
Kashmir has some mouth-watering cuisine in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The popular dishes of meat are Kashmiri Kebag, Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Pasanda, Syun Alu and Methi Keema. All the non-vegetarian lovers will have a lot to choose from. Some of the famous vegetarian dishes include Hak, Rajmah, Zarda, Tursh, Shree Pulao, Nadeir Yakhaen, and Ladyar Tsaman. These dishes are prepared with fresh vegetables with paneer to give an interesting taste to the cuisine.
If you are dessert lover then you must try sevaiyaan, phirni and barfi among others which would make you fall in love with these sweets. Guest in Kashmir is welcomed with hot sheer tea and Kahwah which you have never tasted before. Kashmiri Pulao is also a famous dish worldwide which is prepared in almost every home at regular intervals. A large number of Kashmiri people also love hak or karam sag which is mostly made during winter to keep themselves protected from chilled weather.
Costumes
The costume of Kashmiri people is very colorful and attractive. The majority of people wear traditional costume and women attire themselves with gorgeous jewelry like nose ring, bangles, earrings, necklaces and lose salwar kamiz which make them comfortable during the hot season. Whereas, men dress themselves in kurta pajama, shalwars, gurabi and skullcaps. Pheran is kind of overcoat wore by Kashmiri people during winter which is decorated with colorful patches and embroidery work.
Most of the costumes of Kashmiri people are loose gown and it just varies in quality of fabric according to the weather. Most of the men wear headgear and women wear a skullcap. Most of the women cover their head and shoulders from strangers and elders as a matter of respect. The Kashmiri costume truly indicates their culture and lifestyle.
Festivals and Observances
A large number of festivals are celebrated by Kashmiri people with full joy and enthusiasm. Besides a panoramic view of the landscape, AJ&K is a home to rich cultural heritage and it is easily reflected by the festival celebration by the Kashmiri people. Some of the popular festivals are Baishakhi, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid Ul adha.. A large number of people gather during the festive season and enjoy these auspicious days with lots of enthusiasm.
Traditional dance, participation in painting, multi-cuisine and shops of handicrafts are an integral part of these festivals. Numerous fairs like Bahu Mela, Jhiri Mela and Craft Mela are also organized on some auspicious days where Kashmiri Culture is highlighted by those people. Kashmir is one of the best places where you can see rich heritage and culture along with its beauty.
Handicrafts
Kashmir is a popular place for their beautiful and unique Handicraft. The Pashmina Shawl is famous worldwide for its quality and fabric. Almost every woman love and desire Pashmina Shawl as it symbolizes royalty. The design and embroidery work on the shawl is breathtaking also, the warmth and softness that it offers is completely matchless. Kashmir is also famous for their hand-knotted carpets and woolen rugs having floral design.
On the other hand, basketry, paper mache, wooden carving furniture made of walnut wood and silverware are one of the best handicrafts offered by Kashmiri people. As Kashmir is one of the best attractions for tourist, the handicraft industry is getting expanded by the government.
Dance and Music
Kashmir has its own style of dance performance and music that is simple and fabulous. Almost every festival and fair consists of dance and music that is a big attraction for others. There is a wide variety of dance and music that is performed according to the occasion such as weeding, and others festival. One interesting thing about dance is that women are not allowed to perform a dance, it performed only by youth, even some old men are also eager for dance. The also performed dance in some oceans.
Occupation
AJK have more literacy rate than Islamabad, majority of population are graduate. People served in different departments, such as army Bureaucracy, civil administration. A number of people are America, European countries, UAE, UKSA and others countries.
Kashmir occupation is majorly involved in agriculture and popular cultivated items include Rice, Maize, seed, Radish, Onions, Gourd, Lotus-stalk, etc. The climatic condition of Kashmir also helps in cultivation of fruits like mulberry, grapes, plums, apples, apricots, walnuts, almond, etc. Agricultural exports and exports of handicrafts, shawls, and rugs bring the state a handsome amount of foreign exchange.
Sports & Games
Kashmiri People are also eager of playing they played different games in different seasons. In winter they played football & Valley Bill, and in spring they played Cricket, during Bashaki season Gurkha is a famous game, even old men also participate in it.
Some special things about Kashmiri people.
• They followed the old customs & traditions even our marriage customs is more than thousands years old.
• When some fell pain whole village participate in his pain, and feel it his own pain
• On the occasion of marriage whole tribe participate in arranging the matters .
• In most tribes any old man lead the whole tribe, even he arranged the marriages of tribes, his decision have more important than law, he take the further step of tribes such as election etc. But some time leadership lead by wise man.
• In Kashmir society we give a respect to women, every one like his daughter sister follow the Islamic system rather than western cultural.
• In Kashmiri society women and old men have great respect.
• Kashmiri are hospitable the like guest when the guests goes the percent traditional gifts to them.
• One more interesting thing is that whole tribe live like a family.
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