THE HAZARA CULTURE: A SUB CULTURE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PAKISTANI CULTURE (AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY OF HAZARAS OF QUETTA)

Abstract

The paper is mainly focused on highlighting the culture of Hazaras as a “subculture of Balochistan” Pakistan. Indeed, Balochistan is “unfortunately” not rich in terms of peace and tranquility but had never been so as far as its biodiversity; resources such as mineral, natural, physical and coastal sides are concerned. The province, so far been faced with ill-fated fortune, as she hasn’t yet received proper and humane attention from federal government and International community towards its socio-economic development as per the will and priorities of its inhabitants. Drawing upon a conceptual framework based on an anthropological definition of culture, which describes it into tangible and intangible aspects including two more concepts such as “ideal and real” culture are also part of culture related studies. An effort is being made to study Hazara culture as a subculture of Balochistan, within the broader national culture of Pakistan. Ideal and real culture of any culture is never aligned with each other, which is no odd as it is persistent almost in all spheres of human life. Nonetheless, it matters when the gulf gets widened. The same gets fit to Hazara culture as well, however, it is not by choice and within one’s own control but forcefully imposed through and by external forces including human biases and behaviors. Both the reasons have raised serious queries as none is Hazara culture friendly, therefore, questions arise why not analyze the situation critically and scientifically. Apparently, the community is well cherished with human values of honesty, trustworthiness, gender sensitized, inclined towards education, sports, social harmony, and peaceful coexistence. But situation of real culture reveals profound disjuncture shaped by sectarian violence, systemic discrimination, and identity-based exclusion. Despite these challenges, the Hazara community has demonstrated extraordinary resilience; maintained distinct cultural practices while cultivating qualities of educational attainment, peacefulness, sportsmanship, honesty, gender sensitivity, cleanliness, and friendliness that distinguish it within Balochistan and Pakistan’s multiethnic landscape.