Pashtun Cultural Richness celebrated with traditional beat of Drums

News Desk

Students of Government College University (GCU) Lahore celebrated “Pashtun Culture Day” to create cultural awareness of the Pashtun culture.

Steeped in the Pashtun culture a range of colorful activities were showcased for the audiences of students from different parts of the country.

The Pashtun Culture Day celebrations were held under the auspices of GCU Society for Cultural and Heritage (SOCH).

The celebrations were marked by the beating of drums, Rubab, Tabla and flute playing performances, and the traditional Pashtun dance known as “Attan” in the traditional Pashtun attire.

Addressing the event, GCU Vice Chancellor Dr Asghar Zaidi said that GCU is a mini-Pakistan welcoming students from a wide range of diverse cultures: Punjabis, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Balochis to Pashtun.

He said celebrating our cultural diversity is paramount as it promotes awareness and unity thus dispelling prejudices.

A large number of students representing different provinces participated in the ‘cultural walk ‘ to promote unity and friendship.

Pashtuns are peace loving people and our wrong image is being shown to the world: Organizers

The organizers of the cultural day said that the objective of Pashtun Culture Day to create awareness within the student community about the richness of the Pashtun culture and traditions, and to promote unity among the students belonging to different cultures of Pakistan.

“Pashtuns are peace loving people and our wrong image is being shown to the world,” said a student from Punjab.

“The current situation in the region is very critical. At this time, attitudes of peace, love, affection and tolerance are urgently needed,” said Dr Asghar Zaidi.

The GCU management said it was necessary to show the world that the Pashtuns were peaceful people with a vibrant culture heritage and traditions.

The ‘Attan’ Pashtun community dance is a vibrant example of this. The dance was performed at the event by dancers clad in traditional Pashtun dresses, moving in circles to the drumbeat, and picking up speed whilst whirling at an ever-increasing pace till the end.

The Pashtun Culture Day was designated in 2014 at a meet of the Afghan Forum in Peshawar as part of a cross-border peace initiative.  Since then, events are held in various cities, particularly in Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, and Karachi.