Culture & Tradition of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

AAMIR KHAN
BSSE-1
SEU-S17-011
FLAG OF KPK
INTRODUCTION
• Formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)
• Located in the north-west of the country.
• Khyber Pass links the province to Afghanistan.
• The Kohala Bridge in Bakote Abbottabad is a major crossing point
over the Jhelum River in the east.

• Established: July 1, 1970

Capital: Peshawar
Area: 74,521 sq.km
Population: 22,000,000 Estimated
Density: 300 Sq. km

• The main ethnic group in the province is Pashtuns; other smaller

ethnic groups include most notably the Hazarewals and Chitralis.
Language
LANGUAGES
• Urdu (national)
• Pashto (provincial)
• English (official)
• Regional languages:
Pashto, Hindko, Khowar, Kalami, Torwali,Shina, Saraiki, Gujari,
Maiya, Bateri,Kalkoti, Chilisso, Gowro, Kalasha-
mondr,Palula, Dameli, Gawar-
Bati, Yidgha,Burushaski, Kyrgyz, Wakhi
PaShtO
• Dominant language of the Province .
• Belongs to the Irani branch of the Aryan family of languages.
• It has two main dialects: a 'softer' dialect and a 'harsher'
dialect.
• The softer/Pashto dialect: southwestern and southeastern
dialects.
• The harsher/Pakhto dialect: northwestern (also called central)
and northeastern dialects.
• Pashto is spoken as a first language by 15.5% (28-30 millions)
of Pakistanis, mostly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in
Balochistan as well.
• The Pashto has rich written literary traditions as well as an oral
tradition.
PASHTO CULTURE & HERITAGE
• “ Pashtun is not merely a race but in fact a state of mind there
is a pashtun inside every mind”

• Based on Islam and Pashtunwali (an ancient way of life).

• Culture highlighted since the time of Alexander the Great in
around 330 BC.
• Has come under little outside influence.
Pashtunwali
• Code of conduct.
• “Pashtuns believe that their social code produces men, who are
superior to those produced under the Western model, and they
have no desire to have a new social system imposed on them by
outsiders” (Thomas H. Johnson and M. Chris Mason, “No Sign Until
the Burst of Fire”, p. 61).
• Main components of Pashtunwali
Melmastia (hospitality)
Badal (to seek justice or take revenge against the wrongdoer)
Nanawatai (sanctuary) to seek refuge in the house of another,
seeking asylum against his enemies
A Pashtun at all times is expected to defend his land, family,
women and property against invaders.
JIRGA SYSTEM
• Assembly of tribal elders.
• Take decision on issues based on consensus.
• Disputes between two or more people are heard by this
Council of Elders.
• In tribal regions, the jirga is still used as a court for criminal
offences.
LITERATURE
• Pashto-speakers have long had a tradition of oral literature,
including proverbs, stories, and poems. Written Pashto literature
saw a rise in development in the 17th century mostly due to poets
like Khushal Khan Khattak (1613–1689), who, along with Rahman
Baba (1650–1715), is widely regarded as among the greatest Pashto
poets.

• The first Pashto teaching text was written during the period of
Ahmad Shah Durrani (1722-1772)by Pir Mohammad Kakerr with the
title of Ma'refa al- Afghāni ("Introduction of Afghani [Pashto]").
• First grammar book of pashto verbs was written in 1805 titled Riāz
al-Muhabat ("Training in Affection") by Nawab Mohabat khan.
• Another book of pashto words entitled Ajayeb al-Lughat (Wonders
of languages) was written by Nawabullah yar khan in 1808
PASHTO POETS
• Some notable poets from the region of KPK include:
 Amir kror suri
 Khushal khan khattak

 Rahman baba

 Abasin yousafzai
 Ahmad shah durrani
 Ghulam Muhammad tarsi
 Ghani khan.
• Pashtun men usually gather at special events and listen to
Pashto poetry.
Dress
• Pashtun men usually wear
shalwar kameez with Turban.
This Turban is a symbol of honour
for them.

• Males usually wear Kufi ,

Kandahari cap , Lungi (turban of
honour), Pakol as traditional
headgear.

• Leaders mostly wear a karakul

hat.
Cont..
• Many women wear a embroided
kameez which contain a lot of
glass work on it. They also tend to
make hand made jewelry which is
appreciated all over the world.

• Famous footwear of pathan is

Peshawari chappal.
RELIGIOUS LIFE
• The Pukhtoons are deeply religious .
• The Pukhtoons are punctual in offering their daily prayers and
observance of fast during the month of Ramadan.
• The holy men, Saints, Sayyids and Mains are held in deep
reverence.
FAMILY SYSTEM
• An attractive feature of the Pukhtoons way of life is the joint
family system.
• Which signifies their deep love for the family's solidarity and
welfare.
• The desire of communal life emanates from a consideration of
economic security and integrity.
RESPECT FOR ELDERS
• The Pukhtoons children are taught to show a great degree of
respect to their parents and elders .
• Senior members of the family, particularly elders, command
great respect.
• Parents are properly looked after in old age and every effort is
made to provide them with all possible comforts.
FOLK MUSIC AND DANCES
• Traditional Pashto music is mostly classic ghazals, using
• Rubab
• Sitar
• Tabla
• Harmonium
• Flute and several other musical
instruments.

• Today's modern Pashto music is influenced by neighboring

music such as Bollywood films as well as western or European.
TYPES OF DANCES
• Attan dance Folk dance
of Pashtuns tribes of Pakistan
including the unique styles
of Quetta and Waziristan.
• Khattak dance
• Mahsud Attan (Dance)
• Waziri dance
• Chitrali dance
• Gumhar and Gatka popular
dance of hazara division
CRAFTS
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not famous just for its natural beauty,
but also for its handicraft work.
• The products of KPK are very famous all over the country, and
also exported to the other countries.
• Handmade products that include,
• Woodwork Chappal making
• Stones jewelry Vessels of brass and copper
• Fine hand woven Woolen fabrics
• Leather work Hand knotted rugs
• Carpets, caps made of mountain sheep wool
SPORTS

• Kabaddi
• Polo
• Naiza bazi
• Horse ridding
• Perzawal (proud of their strength of arms, Pukhtoons are fond of
field sports. In the early stage of his life, a child measures his
strength with his compatriots in wrestling bouts called Perzowal)
• Cricket is also played a lot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has created
world-class sportsmen like Shahid Khan Afridi Younus Khan, and
many more. Besides producing cricket players, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
has the honour of being the birthplace of many world-class squash
players, including greats like Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan.