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Muhajir culture

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Muhajir culture (Urdu: مہاجر ثقافت) is the culture of the various Muslims of different ethnicities who migrated mainly from North India (after the partition of British India and subsequent establishment of the Dominion of Pakistan) in 1947 & (after the partition of East Pakistan and West Pakistan) in 1971, generally to Karachi, the federal capital of Pakistan before 1960 and now the provincial capital of Sindh. Muhajirs consist of various sects, ethnicities and linguistic groups,[1] and are mainly concentrated in urban Sindh and Islamabad. According to 2023 Pakistani census Muhajirs are 5th largest ethnic group of Pakistan with 9.25%.

Muhajir Tribes & Caste (Pakistan)

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Different tribes & caste of Muhajir nation are native in central, southern east and southern west parts of Sindh.

Cuisine

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Main article: Muhajir cuisine

Muhajir cuisine refers to the cuisine of the muhajir people and is covered under both Indian and Pakistani cuisines.[2] Muhajirs, after arriving in Karachi, have revived their old culture, including numerous desserts, savory dishes, and beverages.[3][4] The Mughal and Indo-Iranian heritage played an influential role in the making of their cuisine and therefore Muhajir cuisine tends to use royal cuisine specific to the old royal Muslim dynasties of now defunct states in ancient India.[5] [6][7] While less known dishes include qorma, kofta, seekh kebab, nihari, haleem, naan, sheer khurma, and tea.[8][9]

Traditional dress

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Further information: Kurta, Pajamas, and Sari

The traditional clothing of Muhajirs is the traditional clothing worn by Muslims in North India, and it has both Muslim and South Asian influences. Both Muslim men and women wear the shalwar kameez as a daily dress,[10] and kurta, pyjama and brightly-coloured waistcoats for special occasions.[11] Other traditional dresses for Muhajirs include the sherwani for men, which is believed to have been introduced to Pakistan by Muhajirs;[12] the sari for women, which is an unstitched stretch of woven fabric arranged over the body like a robe;[13][14] and the gharara for women, which originated from the nawabs' attempt to imitate the British evening gown.[15]

Festivals

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A Muhajir Cultural Day rally outside Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi

Festivals celebrated by Muhajirs include religious, political, ethnic, and national festivals. Islamic festivals which are celebrated by Muhajirs include the two official holidays: Eid al-Fitr, celebrating the end of Ramzan; and Eid al-Adha, honoring the obedience and sacrifice of Abraham. Depending on sect, some Muhajirs may also commemorate Mawlid, or the birthday of Muhammad; and Ashura, the day of the death of Husayn ibn Ali and the day of salvation for Moses and the Israelites from Biblical Egypt.[16]

Political celebrations include MQM Founding Day to mark the founding of the first Muhajir nationalist party Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the architect of Muhajir political identity, and APMSO Founding Day, to mark the founding of the first Muhajir nationalist student union All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organization.[17][18][19] Muhajirs celebrate Muhajir Cultural Day as an ethnic and cultural festival.[20] To celebrate this day, rallies depart from all areas of Karachi to the Mazar-e-Quaid, and political parties and civil society organisations set up their camps to welcome participants in the rally and to express solidarity.[21]

Social stratification

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Muhajirs may belong to various sects, ethnicities, castes, communities and tribes.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ The crisis of Mohajir identity Harris Khalique. The News International.
  2. ^ Tariq, Minahil (2014-12-08). "Different cultures of Pakistan: MUHAJIR CUISINE". Different cultures of Pakistan. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  3. ^ Sen, Madhurima (2019-03-24). "Nostalgia in Intizar Hussain's 'The Sea Lies Ahead': Muhajirs as a Diasporic Community". Research Gate. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  4. ^ "In the homes of Pakistan's Memons, age-old recipes bring nostalgia to Ramadan tables". Arab News. 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  5. ^ Chaudry, Rabia (2022-11-08). Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A Memoir of Food, Fat, and Family. Algonquin Books. ISBN 978-1-64375-343-0.
  6. ^ Chattha, Ilyas (2022-06-16). The Punjab Borderland: Mobility, Materiality, and Militancy, 1947–1987. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-316-51795-6.
  7. ^ "A fiery fusion". gulfnews.com. 2011-08-14. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  8. ^ "What dishes are common in Muhajir cuisine?". Answers. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  9. ^ Falah, Gulzar (2021-05-02). "Biryani, Lahori fish, pulao ... Pakistani cuisine and its presence in the UAE". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  10. ^ Raka Shome (2014). Diana and Beyond: White Femininity, National Identity, and Contemporary Media Culture. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252096686.
  11. ^ "Mohajir Culture Day celebrated in city". Dawn. 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  12. ^ Niraalee Shah (2021). Indian Etiquette: A Glimpse Into India's Culture. Notion Press. ISBN 9781638865544.
  13. ^ Boulanger, Chantal (1997). Saris: an illustrated guide to the Indian art of draping. Shakti Press International. p. 55. ISBN 9780966149616.
  14. ^ Jermsawatdi, Promsak (1979). Thai Art with Indian Influences. ISBN 9788170170907.
  15. ^ H.r. Nevill (1884). The Lucknow Omnibus. p. 177.
  16. ^ "Karachi Festivals – Karachi Annual Events". www.karachi.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  17. ^ "English Newspaper Coverage : 32nd foundation day of Mqm". www.mqm.org. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  18. ^ "Mr. Altaf Hussain congratulates to all his loyalist comrades and the nation on 43rd foundation day of APMSO". www.mqm.org. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  19. ^ "APMSO Foundation Day marked". Saudigazette. 2016-06-28. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  20. ^ "Muhajir Culture Day celebrated". The Express Tribune. 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  21. ^ "Muhajir Culture Day celebrated". Dawn. 2022-12-25. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
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