Culture of Sindh

Europe North America Oceania The Culture of Sindh (Sindhi: سنڌ جي ثقافت) has its roots in the Indus Valley civilization.

The Indus or Sindhu River, which passes through the land, and the Arabian Sea (Which defines its borders) also supported the seafaring traditions among the local people.

[1] The local climate also reflects why the Sindhis have a language, folklore, traditions, customs, and lifestyle that are so different from the neighbouring regions.

Archaeological research during the 19th and 20th centuries showed the roots of social life, religion, and culture of the people of the Sindh: their agricultural practises, traditional arts and crafts, customs and traditions, and other parts of social life, going back to a mature Indus Valley Civilization of the third millennium BC.

Sindhi is one of the major oldest languages of the Indus Valley, having a peculiar literary colour both in poetry and prose.

There has been evidence that the excavations of sites dating back to 3000 BC (all over Sindh) are also true, around 1200 years ago when Jaina Dakshiniya Chihna (778 AD) described the distinguished features of Sindhis in this way: "Elegant, with a lovely, soft, and slow gait, they are fond of the art of Gandharvas (that is, songs, music, and dancing) and full affection towards their country."

Nasir Kalwar Sindhis celebrate Sindh Cultural Day worldwide every year on the first Sunday of December.

Major hallmarks of cities and towns are decorated with Sindhi Ajrak to highlight the cultural values of Sindh.

The musical performances of the artists compel the participants to dance to Sindhi tunes and ‘Jeay Sindh Jeay-Sindh Wara Jean’.All Political, social, and religious organisations of Sindh, besides the Sindh culture department and administrations of various schools, colleges, and universities, organize a variety of events, including seminars, debates, folk music programmes, drama, and theatrical performances, tableaus, and literary sittings to mark this annual festivity.

Ekta (Unity) Day is observed to display solidarity among the Sindhi-speaking masses; the event is celebrated not only in Karachi but throughout Sindh.

The province’s culture and unity day was celebrated for the first time on December 6, 2009 (as Sindhi Topi Day) as a backlash to the comments of anchorman Dr. Shahid Masood, who had criticised President Asif Ali Zardari for wearing a Sindhi cap on his foreign tours.

People across the Sindh province condemned Masood’s comments via SMS, which ultimately resulted in the announcement of celebrating Sindhi Topi Day.