1. Cultural Dances of Pakistan
Cultural Diversity for Unity
By: Rahim Khan & Afzal Muhammad, AKU-IED, M.Ed. 2011

2. Rationale Pakistan is pluralistic society
Languages, dresses, popular music & dances
Familiarity with Dances;
Name
Types
Performing ways (How/When/Why)

3. Pakistan & different ethnic groups
Number of ethnic groups in Pakistan is 72
Main ethnic groups
Punjabi
Pashtun
Sindhi
Seraiki
Baluchi
Urdu Speaker
Potohari

4. Ethnic Groups by Residence

5. Smaller Ethnic Groups Turwalis Kashmiris Hindkowans Brahui Hazaragi
Guajarati
Chitrali/Khowar
Balti
Shina
Burushasky
Wakhy
Kalasha
Kachchi Od

6. Classification of Cultural Dances
Classical Dance
Kathak
Folk Dance
Bhangra
Hojamalo
Ludi
Khatak
Attan
Rauf

7. Classification of Cultural Dances
Religious Dance
Raqs o sama (dance and audition) - Whirling Dervishes of Turkey
Dhamaal
Cattle Dance
Camel
Horse

8. Cultural Dances - Punjab
Bhangra
Fairs, festivals, marriages & harvesting
By men on happy occasions
Gidda
By women performed at weddings, birth of a child
Dhamal
Similar to Bhangra
Danced by men in a circle

9. Cultural Dances - Punjab
Luddi
Victory-dance swaying movements of the head
Snapping fingers
Julli
Performed at Pirs khangahs
Jhumar
Circle around drummer (Dholi)
Spinning around

10. Cultural Dances - Punjab
Sammi
Women - Clapping hands on beat of drum
Dankara
Also called the Gaatka
Jaago
Wake up! / marriage
Kikli
Performed by women in pairs

11. Sarhad Conservation Network (SCN) Pakistan
Cultural Dances - NWFP
Khattak Wal Atanrh
Khattak tribe war exercises
Shah Dola
Yusufzai dance for happiness & merriment
Sarhad Conservation Network (SCN) Pakistan

12. Cultural Dances - NWFP Balbala Bhittani Atanrh Spin Takray
Common every where
Bhittani Atanrh
Colorful jackets with gold embroidery, white clothes
Spin Takray
Single professional female dancer

13. Cultural Dances - NWFP Marwat Wala Atanrh Logari Atanrh Waziro Atanrh
Mahsood wal Atanrh
Long hair, tossed from side to side
Turning heads around in jerks

14. Cultural Dances - Balauchistan
Chaap
Men clapping hands & moving feet, neck, & head
Balauchi Attan
Lewa
Makrani (men/women)
Rhythmic dance with to & fro swaying movements

15. Cultural Dances - Sindh
Ragistani/Thari folk dance
Hojamalo
Fabled Jamalo
Chhej
Performed only by men

16. Cultural Dances - Sindh
Dhaamal,
Performed by fakirs & disciples of shrine
Jhoomer
Dandiya Ras
Dandiya Ras of Kathiawar

17. Cultural Dances - Kashmir
Rouf Performed on all festive occasions
Hafiz Nagma Based on Sofiyiana Kalam
Jagarna
marriage song cum-dance

18. Cultural Dances - Chitral
Chitrali Dani

19. Cultural Dances - Kalash

20. Cultural Dances- Gilgit/Baltistan
Hunzai Dani
Balti Dance

21. Cultural Dances – Gilgit/Baltistan
Gilgiti Dance
Chilasi Dance

22. Cultural Dances - Mystic

23. Cultural Dance - Katak

24. Cultural Dance – Sword Dance

25. Learning out comes Dance
Important part of culture
Performed during;
celebrations
ceremonies
entertainment
and teaching
It serves;
Social
Spiritual
Artistic
Emotional
functions

26. Pakistan’s cultural dances; Composed of different ethnic groups dances

27. Common Musical Instruments

28. Single or group of people can perform

29. Some ethnic groups share dances
Jhoomer
Attan

30. Originated from war exercises

31. Colorful dresses are compulsory part of dances

32. Colorful dresses are compulsory part of dances

33. For some dances song is a compulsory part
Barohi raqs

34. Women perform dance in private gatherings

35. Most dances are performed in circle

36. Each ethnic group has its own uniqueness; rhythm/ dress / norms

37. For video shows visit http://culturaldancespakistan.blogspot.com/

38. References