Culture: Peoples

Afghans

Of the nearly 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, approximately 1 million have made their new home in Karachi. These people are the "cousins" of Pushtuns. Even though they have fled their war-ravaged home and have made their way to the commercial capital of Pakistan, they have tenaciously held on to the age-old tribal way of life. Although Afghan moneylenders were in Karachi long before Afghanistan plunged into war, today thousands of Afghans can be seen roaming in the city with electric items, cosmetics, cloth, wall clocks, carpets, and other merchandise, proving they are excellent mobile salesmen.

Baluch

The Baluch are a sturdy, traditionally nomadic people who trace their origins back to the high plateaus of the Caspian Sea. Turbans and long beards characterize the Baluch men. Due to poverty-stricken conditions in the arid interior of Baluchistan, hundreds of thousands of Baluch have migrated to the urban ghettos of Karachi. It is estimated that one million Baluch have now settled in Karachi. The Baluch are a sensitive people and have been known for centuries as great fighters. They have traditionally lived in extended family groups along tribal lines. The grandfather has had the role of patriarch. Baluchmayar, or "the Baluchi way," is the guiding principle of proper conduct among the Baluch. It is an honor code entailing the extension of hospitality, mercy, refuge, and honesty to one's fellows. More information on Baluchi culture is available from Balouch.com.

Bhoras (Boharas, Bohras)

The Bhora community is a Shia sect with headquarters in Bombay, India. This group has been emigrating from India since 1947 when Pakistan was separated from India. The community currently numbers over 30,000 families in Karachi with a huge worldwide following. The Bhora community enjoys a good reputation in the city. They are mostly middle-class businessmen. A Bhora man can be easily picked out in a crowd because of his white embroidered pillbox cap. Likewise, the women are easily distinguished. They wear a distinctive two-piece veil in public that does not cover their face. Bhoras speak Gujarati. More information is available from the Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.

Hindus

The Hindus managed much of the commercial activity of Karachi before Partition. But most Hindus left Karachi at that time due to communal rioting. However, some families stayed behind and continue to reside in Karachi.

Memons

One origin theory is that in the fifteenth century in Sindh, a Hindu community called the Lohanas converted to Islam. Today they are known as the Memons. A different origin theory is that the Memons are actually Iraqi descendants. During Partition, many Halai Memons came to Pakistan. This community is a business community, consisting of some of the most prestigious businessmen in Karachi. More information is available from Memon.com.

Parsees

Parsees originally came from Fars, a province of Iran. They are now quite urbanized and westernized, having availed themselves of the opportunities that came from Western-style education. Due to their education and relative incorruptibility, they have held positions of authority and privilege in the past. Zoroastrianism is practiced today by the 70,000 Parsees who live in Bombay, India, and the 3000-6000 who live in Karachi. They have traditionally been benevolent people, starting schools and charities for the poor. Parsees follow the religion of Zoroaster, a prophet of the 7th century BC from the region of the Hindu Kush and Seistan. Fire is the main symbol of Zoroastrianism. The major elements of the life cycle that are ritually celebrated are birth, initiation, and marriage. At death Parsees expose their dead to vultures on Towers of Silence. No one except a Parsee may be a Zoroastrian.

Punjabis

The Punjabis number at least one million people in the large metropolitan city of Karachi. Originally from the Punjab province of Pakistan, Punjabis migrated to Karachi for work when it became a major trade venue and the capitol of newly formed Pakistan. Though the capital has relocated to Islamabad, Punjabis continue to be involved in politics and government life in Pakistan. While the vast majority of Punjabis follow Islam, there is a small minority of Punjabis that follow Christianity, as it has been passed down through generations within families. There is also a small number of Punjabi Sikhs. Most Punjabi women wear the shalwar kameez with dupatta. Punjabi men can be seen wearing a turban on the head and sometimes a dhoti cloth wrapped around the waist.

Pushtuns (Pakhtuns, Pathans)

The increasing cost of living and the availability of employment in the big cities of Pakistan has contributed to a mass exodus of Pushtuns from the rural areas into the cities, and also to the Middle East. There is said to be over 2 million Pushtuns in Karachi alone. Like the Baluch, Pushtuns are also known as great fighters. Central to identity as a Pushtun is adherence to the male-centered code of conduct, the Pushtun wali. Foremost, this is a code of honor. Without honor, life for a Pushtun is not worth living. A man ensures his honor only by the purity and good repute of his mother, daughters, sisters and wife. Thus, women are restricted to private, family compounds in much of the NorthWest Frontier. Most of the Pushtun men working in Karachi leave their wives and daughters at home in the village. Offenses to one's honor must be avenged, or there is no honor. Providing refuge, even for an enemy, is another aspect of the honor code. Decisions are made within the Pushtun culture by the jirga: a council of tribal leaders who make decisions based on consensus.

Sindhis

The Sindhi people are indigenous to the province of Sindh and number some 14-15 million in the province, but only around 350,000 live in Karachi. The lifestyle of a Sindhi is focused on relationships and events. They spend a lot of time socializing. Birth, marriage, and death are major events in the life of the Sindhi people. Sindhis live together in extended family units and are highly committed to following the leadership of the elders in the home. Sindhi ajrak is a red cloth with unique patterns, reflecting each individual tribe. Tiny mirrors are stitched into the hats and dresses of these people. More information on Sindhi culture is available at Sindhishaan.com.

Urdu Speakers

Many of the Muslims who came to Pakistan at the time of partition, when Pakistan became a country, were the Urdu Speakers. This group of people left their country in pursuit of a "new world." Most of them had been business and trades people in the past and they lost no time in starting up businesses again in the new home. Although Urdu is the official language of Pakistan, only the Urdu Speakers maintain Urdu as a native language. Urdu Speakers are exclusively urbanites. At least 8 million are estimated in Karachi.