Children’s Games of Pakistan
Hopscotch: hopscotch is also an American favorite, as an adult or a skilled child takes a piece of chalk and draws ten boxes on concrete in different areas but connected, and numbers the boxes one to ten. The children must hop in the boxes, in the order that the numbers go, without stepping outside of the box or into a different number other than the number they are supposed to be stepping in. This game can go on as long as each child keeps making it, or until one child wins.
Camel Rides: On the beaches of Pakistan, children love getting on the backs of embroidered scarf wearing camels and riding from one side of the beach to the other. It is free and usually an attainable activity for most poverty stricken areas, in which parents must accompany the kids for safety purposes.
Ounch Neech: This game is for kids who are of the ages five and older. You will need an outdoor space with a lot of bases, or obstacles. The game begins with one child who other children will see as “it”. He chooses either ounch (up) or neech (down). If he chooses neech, then the ground is not safe; runners can only be tagged out unless they are ounch, on something like a rock. The opposite is true as well: If “It” chooses ounch, then the ground is safe so everyone remains on it. Of course, children quickly realize that it’s boring to stay only in the safe zones. The first person tagged becomes “It” for the next round of the game.
Common Cuisine of Pakistan
Muslims are forbidden to eat Pork, therefore, the major meats of Pakistan consists of beef, chicken, and fish. Vegetables are also an extreme necessity in Pakistan.
Mughal: herbs, spices, almonds, and raisins are in Mughal. This reigns from India, but is an important and essential part of Pakistani cuisine.
shahi tukra: a very common Pakistani dessert made with sliced bread, milk, cream, sugar, and saffron.
Chicken Tandoori: Although it is known as a traditional and classic meal, it is still enjoyed today. It is slow cooked in a large clay tandoors, or clay ovens.
Simple Recipes
Shahi Tukra
Ingredients: Raisins or prunes (dried plums), 5 slices bread, Saffron powder, 2 Tablespoons oil, 4 cups milk, 4 Tablespoons sugar
Directions: – Remove the crusts from the bread with a knife. Cut the bread into four triangular pieces.
– Heat the oil in a frying pan (over medium heat) and fry the bread pieces one at a time on both sides until golden brown.
– In a saucepan, add the milk and sugar and bring to a boil, making a slightly thick sauce.
– Add the saffron to the sauce (optional). Reduce heat to low.
– Soak the bread slices in the milk sauce and garnish with the raisins or prunes (dried plums). Serve immediately
Dhal (Lentil Stew)
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 medium onion, diced, 3 cups water, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup dried lentils, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, 1½ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
Directions: – Heat the oil over medium heat in a large frying pan
– Sauté the onion, garlic, and spices
– Add the water and bring to a boil
– Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 45 minutes
– Remove the cover and simmer over low heat, stirring frequently, about 20 more minutes (until lentils are mushy and thick).
– Serve with rice
Aaloo Bukhary Ki Chutney (Plum Chutney)
Ingredients: Red chili powder, 1 cup prunes (dried plums), Cayenne pepper, 2 cups water, Pepper, ½ cup sugar, Salt, ½ cup vinegar
Directions: – In a saucepan, add the water, salt, peppers, and chili powder to dried plums.
– Bring to a boil and cook until plums are tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add sugar.
– Stir, and cook until the sugar melts and the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.
– Add the vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil, about 2 minutes.
– Serve warm or at room temperature as a condiment with roti (bread), meat, or vegetables.
Simple Desserts To Make and Enjoy
Lassi (Yogurt Drink)
Ingredients: ½ cup water, 3 cups plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon salt or sugar, 3 to 4 ice cubes
Directions: – Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
– Pour into individual glasses
Kheer (Rice Pudding)
Ingredients: ¼ cup raisins, 1 cup rice, uncooked, 1½ cup sugar, ½ gallon milk, ¼ cup almonds or pistachios, crushed
Directions: – Combine the rice and milk in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
– Reduce heat to low and add the sugar and nuts. Stir.
– Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
– Sprinkle with raisins. Serve hot or cold.
Raita (Yogurt and Vegetable Salad)
Ingredients: ½ teaspoon each cumin, salt, and black pepper, 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 Tablespoons fresh mint, minced, 3 to 4 cups mixed vegetables, such as raw spinach and cucumber, cooked potatoes or eggplant, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ cup onion, chopped
Directions: – Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
-mix. Serve.
Pakistani Children’s Day
Children’s Day in Pakistan is celebrated on two days annually. Those days are June 1st and November 20th. On these days, the elders celebrate with their children how a child’s life should be and not what they more than likely become. Stories are shared, lessons are taught, and family time is spent well.
Fun Facts
- It has the 7th largest collection of scientists and engineers in the world.
- When couples get married in Pakistan the bridegroom wears garlands of money given by his relatives.
- 80% of the worlds soccer balls are made in Pakistan
- Pakistan’s national sport is hockey
- It had the first woman leader of a Muslim country in history
- Bangladesh has the largest coastal mangrove forest in the world
Customs and Etiquette
- Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business.
- Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a social situation, they are served first and their drinks may be poured for them. Elders are introduced first, are provided with the choicest cuts of meat, and in general are treated much like royalty.
- Greetings are therefore often between members of the same sex; however, when dealing with people in the middle class, greetings may be across sex lines.
- Guests are served first. Then the oldest, continuing in some rough approximation of age order until the youngest is served.
- Pakistanis prefer to do business in person. They see the telephone as too impersonal a medium for business communication
- Pakistani names often include a name that denotes a person’s class, tribe, occupation, or other status indicator.
Must Do……
Mini Golf is extremely popular in Pakistan, for families who need to allow their children to engage in summer activities. Even though it can be 100 degrees or more, this activity is still enjoyed, as well as camel riding.
Children love riding the backs of camels on the beach from one side to the other. The camels have embroidered scarves with jewels and beads, and the children love them!
Karachi is Pakistan’s former capital, and it is located on the Arabian Sea. This city is absolutely beautiful and has many attractions such as shops, restaurants, and more.
Clothes Minded
Pakistan traditional clothing is designed to cater to the conservative culture of which it derives.
Salwar kameez (shalwar qameez): national attire of Pakistan, looser pants that flare out at the bottom and tied at the waist with a drawstring. This is worn during festivals, and is important to both men and women. The kameez is large and loose fitting tunic worn with the baggy salwar. Women also use a dupatta with the salwar kameez. Dupattas are long yards of cloth available along with the salwar kameez because their color and pattern is coordinated as per the whole outfit piece.
The conservative ensemble represents the conservation of the Islam culture, in which the beliefs and customs are thoroughly shown within it. Women are usually clothed from head to toe, in an attempt to respect their husbands and not offend other couples.
Sounds of Pakistan
Instruments
Tabla: percussion family, similar to bongos
Dholak: two headed hand drum
Harmonium: keyboard instrument like a reed board
South Asia as well as Central Asian, Persian, Turkish, Arabic and modern day Western popular music influences Pakistan’s musical genres. Drums are an instrumental favorite, as they bring out natural sounds. There is hip hop, rock, folk music, pop, and many other westernized genres as well, each having their own particular mixed sound from other places.