N.W.F.P

The N.W.F.P is the northern most province of Pakistan. It is bordered by Afghanistan(west) Punjab(south- east) by Azad Kashmir(north-west), it comprise 5 divisions, 13 districts and a number of tribal agencies. Having population more than 10 million. The Indus river separates it from the Punjab and the Durand line, from Afghanistan.

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 NWFP 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.

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. Melmastiya(hospitality) teega(truth) and Nanawatey are the cardinal features of Pakhtoon’s society. The tries men, as orthodox 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 exist.

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 N.W.F.P and 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 onehand 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 NWFP

NWFP 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 of NWFP are called Pathan or Pakhtoon, because, most of them speak Pushto. Just like all other Provinces of Pakistan, NWFP also has a historic as well as cultural background. Now we will have a short look on the handicrafts of NWFP.

Brass Work

Peshawar is the capital of NWFP. 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 (one of the much spoken languages in NWFP), 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 NWFP, specially 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 handicraft of NWFP, and that is why it is very well known and popular among almost all over Pakistan. It is a very popular footwear. Although it is a specialty of Charsadda (a division of NWFP), it is also manufactured in Peshawar and to the reason of Peshawar being the capital of NWFP, this handicraft is known as Peshawari Chappal. In Peshawar this handicraft is manufactured in "Mochi Larah" and "Jahangir Pura" bazaars.

Embroidery

People of NWFP do embroidery and they have a fame in this field also. Tilla work, Pearl work and Silma/ Star work of NWFP 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 NWFP, 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.