SINDHI CULTURE: HISTORY AND THE CULTURAL DAY

BY : STARZSPEAK

By: Bhavya

We live in a world where there are millions of cultures and as a human being we have always been taught to respect all the cultures. One of the cultures that has evolved over a period of time is Sindhi culture. Sindhis are an Indo-Aryan ethno-liguistic group who speaks sindhi. Sindhis belong to the native region of Sindh Province of Pakistan. This Sindh province was earlier part of British India before partion, after the partion Sindhis migrated to Sindh and different parts of the world. Today, Sindhis are there in India as well as in Pakistan as well. The Sindhis in India are predominantly Hindu and the Sindhis in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim.

HISTORY OF SINDHI CULTURE

The Sindhi culture has its root in the Indus Valley Civilization. The Sindh river that passes through the land, led to the name of the region as Sindh. The Sindhis have totally different language, culture, lifestyle from its neighboring countries. The sindhis have their roots in sufi songs as well and they practice sufi culture. The root of Sindhis comes from the 7000 years old civilization that is Indus valley civilization. Archeological researches during 19th and 20th centuries showed the roots of social life, religion and culture of the people of the Sindh. When people speak of Sindhi Civilization, they have to concern themselves, mainly with the material and concrete side of human habitation of which Sindhi culture is the only essence called the Superstructure. Sindhi language is ancient and very rich in literature. The Sindhi writers have contributed extensively in various forms of literature both in poetry and prose. Sufi music has always been an important thing that is performed in Sindhi shrines. Sindhis are also very rich in sports, and one of the famous sports of Sindhis is Malakhiro.

SINDHI CULTURAL DAY (EKTA DAY)

Sindhis celebrate Cultural Day (Ekta Day) every year worldwide on first Sunday of December month. Sindhi cultural days is also known as “Aekta jo ddihaarro”. The Sindhi Cultural day is celebrated widely with the traditional enthusiasm to spotlight the centuries old rich culture of Sindhis. On this day, Sindhis wear there traditional Ajrak and Sindhi Topi along with the traditional Sindhi Shawal and conduct Rallies on the city roads to show the zeal for their culture. The Sindhi Cultural Day is the celebration and demonstration of the rich and extensive culture of Sindh. Sindhis in major cities of Sindh and all over the world gather at the major cities and perform several attractive activities to show the rich heritage of Sindhi culture and let the world know more and more about the Sindhi culture and rich heritage. Sindhis on this Cultutural Day usually gather in major cities of Sindh at Press clubs and other places and perform various activities of literary gatherings, poetry gatherings, Mach Katcheri (gathering in a place and sitting round making a circle keeping fire sticks at the centre), musical concerts, seminars, lecture programmes and rallies. This is also a symbol of ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The cultural day is observed to display the soliditary among the Sindhi speaking people, the event is celebrated throughout the Sindh and all over the world. Sindhis celebrate this Cultural day to show respect for their culture and they want the whole world know more and more about the rich and prosperous Sindhi culture which is very less known in the world till date.

FIVE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE IN CULTURAL DAY CELEBRATION

Among many interesting things in the Cultural day celebration of Sindhis, below are mentioned few more interesting things that will make you fall in love for the Cultural Day celebration:-

• AJRAK:-  This is a kind of shawl which is a symbol of Sindhi Culture. It was also found that a male priest like statue in the Indus Valley Civilization wore a shawl like Ajrak.  This Ajrak is a block printed cloth in crimson red color and indigo blue background, bearing symmetrical patterns with interspersed with un-printed white motifs, mostly stars.
• SINDHI TOPI:-  The Sindhi Topi is a  colorful hat that has a cut in the front of it. It is mostly very colorful having different geometric patterns embroidered over it. There are mirrors also sewn into it as an added attraction to it. This is wore by all Sindhis on their Cultural Day as well as all the important days of their lives as a respect to their rich heritage and culture.
• RALLI QUILTS:-  The Ralli Quilts are another cultural symbol of Sindhi Culture. The Ralli Quilts are just like other hand woven quilts which are usually made by the Sindhi women at their home. The Sindhi women make these Ralli Quilts at their home using the recycle cotton clothes. Earlier the production of these Ralli Quilts were done by the Sindhi women for the use of their family members but later a another commercial aspect has been added to it and the production of Ralli quilts have been increased. Now a days Rallis are available as colourful quilts, pillow covers, cushions and table runners. The commercialized Ralli quilts can be found in Umerkot and Tharparkat cities of Sindh and in India these are found in states of Rajasthan and Gujrat.
• SINDHI KHUSSAY/MOJARI:-   The Sindhi Khussay is also known as Mojari or Saleem Shahi’s worldwide. This is another attraction to the rich Sindhi heritage. The Sindhi Khussay are handcrafted footwear, in which the upper part of the shoe is made of one piece of leather or textile which is embroidered and further decorated with mirrors, brass nails, cowry shells, bells and ceramic beads. The Sindhis wear this Sindhi Khussay with their ethnic outfit on their special traditional functions.
• SINDHI BIRYANI:- Whenever we think about any special day, we think of eating good food on that day. Similarly, Sindhis make Sindhi biryani surely on their Cultural Day celebration. This Biryani is very famous in the province of Sindh and the thing that makes it a special dish is that this Biryani contains almost 20 spices in it. It is famous Biryani worldwide.