Khyber Pukhtunkhaw is stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the deserts in the south where it is bordered by the Balochistan and Punjab provinces. The historic Khyber Pass is accessed via Afghanistan through the mountains of the Sulaiman Range. The region of NWFP has distinctive features which make the area a “Tourist’s Heaven”. The province is also rich in mineral resources. These include Emerald, Barites, China Clay, Chromite, Clay Shale, Coal, Dolomite, Feldspar, Gypsum, Limestone, Marble, Magnasite, Phosphate, Silica Sand, Soap Stone, and Slate Stone. In this province due to the availability of raw materials the crafts of leather, wood and metal as well as wax painting and printing have been highly developed. However, the development of crafts has been affected by a number of factors especially for women Lack of credit lending support and subsidized mark-up rates
Language:
The inhabitants of the frontier are mostly Pathans. Pathans speak Pashtu. It is mostly spoken in the Trans-Indus region, in the tribal belt of Khyber pukhtunkhaw as well as in the northern districts of Baluchistan. Pashtu claims to be an old language nourished by the Pathans living in the long mountain belt from Hindukush to Kirthar range. It is vigorous, flexible and well-developed language. Pashtu boasts poets of international repute. Khushhal Khan Khattak and Rahman Baba are the famous poets of Pashtu. Pashtu is being taught at university level.
Pushtun dances
A fiercely independent people who live in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the pushtun by all outsider women perform dances at wedding and other family celebrations,. The most developed form of this dance comes from the north west frontier provinces around the areas of Peshawar and Mardan. The nomadic dance style is the best expressed by the large Kuchi tribe who astraddle the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Kuchi women wear heavely dressed and carry their heavy silver jewellery on their bodies. The jewellery represents finical security to them and can be changed into cash in times of adversity.
Khattak:
A male war dance performed in a circle with swords and small scarves, the Khattak is performed by a pushtun tribe of the same name. Jerky movements are typical of this dance accompanied by rapid twists of the wrists. Their wide dresses flow out ward during the dance.
Pashto Regional Music:
Pashto music is commonly found in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. There is a long oral tradition of Pashto folk music, which includes genres such as the Tappa, Charbeta, Neemkai, Loba, Shaan and Badala. The Tappa is believed to be one of the oldest forms of Pashto poetry; it is comprised of two unequal meters, with the second longer than the first. Charbetta is the most popular form of poetry, and epic poem which focuses on heroic figures. The music is often sung at a fast tempo by two or more singers. Neemakai is type of folk song normally composed by Pashto women, expressing a range of issues from daily life. Loba is another form of Pashto folk song composed as a dramatic dialogue, often to tell romantic tales. Shaan is a celebratory song performed at occasion such as marriage and child birth. Although Badala is a type of Pashto folk music, it is normally sung by professional musicians. It is an epic poem set to composed music which is performed with instruments such harmonium, drums and tabla.
Customs and Traditions:
Tribal customs and traditions form an inseparable part of Pakhtoon society. Pathans are men of sword and guns, the history of tribal areas is full of romance and glorious adventure, hospitality, truth and Nanawatey are the cardinal features of Pakhtoon’s society. The tries men, as traditional Muslim , have deep faith in Holy Quran .The customs relating to Nanawatey are more or less identical throughout the Pukhtoon society. However, less was a custom in the past according to which the suppliant used to go before his enemy with a rope round his neck as a mark of humility. This custom no longer exists. With the tradition of courage and valor the Pathans emerged as the victorious fighting force and guardians of north-west frontier in the subcontinent for ages and one can see them still on guard with Pakistan flag furling, with grandeur, high over the rugged and harren mountains and passes right from Clitoral and Badger, in the north, to the extreme other end of Waziristan and Zhob (fort sandeman) in the south.
Food:
Dry fruits are produced in Khyber pukhtunkhaw are very popular all over the world. One special thing which is very famous among Pathans is chappal kabab. It also popular among the people of Pakistan. They also eat mutton, biryani and pallow.
Dress:
Pathans usually wear shalwar qameez with turban. There turban is symbol of honor. Women wear embroided qameez which contains lot of glass work. There embroided dresses are very famous among the women of Pakistan.
Dance:
In spite of a tough and rigid society the Pathans have inherited a rich culture with all the rigidness on the one hand and all the softness, romance and beauties on the other. The Pathans dances have been defined as a symbol of courage and heroism and present the desire and readiness of a tribe to go into a battle field for jihad. With heavy and insistent drumming the dancers, who are always male, move with the uniform rhythm and steps. They dance in a circle or columns holding a sword or a gun or a handkerchief in their hands and mix the crude sounds of firing with the rhythm of drums and “Surnai”(flutes). One of the most famous and adored dances of the Pathans is the Khattak dance described as the one of the best forms of physical existence which keeps body strong and healthy. This performance includes a swift whirling motion in a circle with the head of dancers moving forth and back and their clapping in unison with the shrill notes of “Surnai” and the thundering sounds of the drums.
CRAFTS OF KPK:
Khyber pukhtunkhaw is one of the four Provinces of Pakistan. It is a very important Province of Pakistan socially, because, its boundaries touch Afghanistan, Iran and USSR borders. Almost all people are Pathan or Pakhtoon, because, most of them speak Pushto. Just like all other Provinces of Pakistan, it also has a historic as well as cultural background. Now we will have a short look on the handicrafts of this province.
Metal work:
Recovery of bronze and copper utensils figuring and coins from excatavation in Moenjodaro and Taxila link this craft to the 5000 years old Indus valley and gandhara civilization. The Bazar Misgraan in Peshawar stand as a tribute to this age old craft. The Wazirabad craftsman is associated with the making of knives and daggers. Craftsmanship of the artisans of Kotli Lutheran excels in beauty and workmanship. Jhang and Gujranwala are renowned for Kansi products .Artisans of Sialkot, Lahore and Mathi have been associated with this traditional craft for generation. The originality aft e design is best executed by our craftsman a copper and the techniques evolved during the centuries include chasing, responses filigree.
Wood work:
Wood carving involving intricate design has for long been associated with Muslim culture and tradition in the sub continent. Our craftsmen retain their distinctive standard of skill inherited from their ancestors. There is an extra ordinary varity in wood work which of course is governed by factors like availability of types of wood in different regions, requirements of the people and traditions retained by ability of superior wood in this province has fostered this craft as popular occupation. brass ,Bone inlay and ornamental carving are termed as traditional work for which chiniot is famous. kashmiri craftsmen excel in delicate workmanship on walnut wood, the soft quality of the wood enabling the artisan to carve the most fascinating intricate patterns in jail.
Brass Work:
Peshawar is the capital of this province. It is one of the historical cities of Pakistan. Brass work is on the top of all handicrafts of Peshawar. Brass work is done on many things like household utensils of daily use to decoration pieces. In Hindko which is one of the much spoken languages after pushtu, brass is called as “Mis,” and the individuals who work on this metal are called “Misgar.” In Peshawar a big market is allocated for this handicraft, known as, “Misgaran Bazaar,” that means, bazaar of brass workers. People of this province especially Peshawarites give household utensils to their daughters in “Dowry,” that are made of brass and are beautifully carved. These include water storage and cooking utensils.
Peshawari Chappal:
This is also one of the much used handicrafts of the province, and that is why it is very well known and popular among almost all over Pakistan. It is very popular footwear. Although it is a specialty of Charsadda .it is also manufactured in Peshawar and to the reason of Peshawar being the capital of Khyber pukhtunkhaw. this handicraft is known as Peshawari Chappal. In Peshawar this handicraft is manufactured in “Mochi Larah” and “Jahangir Pura” bazaars.
Embroidery:
People of this province do embroidery and they have fame in this field also. Tilla work, Pearl work and Silma, Star work are very famous throughout the country. Swat is well-known due to thread embroidery, whereas, in D.G.Khan mirror work is done on clothes. Works of these types are called “Kadhai.”
Chitrali Topi and Chugha:
Chtiral, A very famous and cold city of this province, is a city specially known for both of these crafts. Both the things are used by the people in winter season. These items are made of a special type of cloth, called “Patti,” that is woven on hand looms. Kadhai is done on Chitrali Chugha.
Shawls:
Warm shawls of wool are made in Charsadda, Bannu and Swat especially. Most of them are Gents shawls. In Hindko, these shawls are known as “Pattu.” The thick ones are called “Loyee.Most of these handicrafts are of export quality and are being exported in large quantities and the country is earning huge foreign exchange.
Pashto Regional Music:
Pashto music is commonly found in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. There is a long oral tradition of Pashto folk music, which includes genres such as the Tappa, Charbeta, Neemkai, Loba, Shaan and Badala. The Tappa is believed to be one of the oldest forms of Pashto poetry; it is comprised of two unequal meters, with the second longer than the first. Charbetta is the most popular form of poetry, and epic poem which focuses on heroic figures. The music is often sung at a fast tempo by two or more singers. Neemakai is type of folk song normally composed by Pashto women, expressing a range of issues from daily life. Loba is another form of Pashto folk song composed as a dramatic dialogue, often to tell romantic tales. Shaan is a celebratory song performed at occasion such as marriage and child birth. Although Badala is a type of Pashto folk music, it is normally sung by professional musicians. It is an epic poem set to composed music which is performed with instruments such harmonium, drums and tabla.