Pakistan

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Pakistan
Pakistan, or the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is located in southern Asia. Its landscape consists of mountains, plains, and deserts. Most of the population lives in the rural grasslands of eastern Pakistan, in the Punjab region, while the west is dry, mountainous, and much less populated. The state capital, Islamabad, and other cities are growing with increased industrialization, and the people are developing more modern values and professions. The economy of Pakistan, however, still relies primarily on agriculture. The majority of farmers live a rural, traditional tribal life. Most people in Pakistan are of the Muslim faith belong to one of four cultural groups: Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, or Baluchi. The four separate groups speak different languages and inhabit different areas of the country. The official language of Pakistan is Urdu, yet less than ten percent of the population speaks it as their main language.

Mehndi
Mehndi, also known as henna, is a skin, hair, and nail dye used for decorative and ceremonial purposes. It is the dry pounded leaf of the lythraceae plant, which is native to the hot climates of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The use of mehndi can be traced back 5,000 years to the ancient Egyptians, who used its rich color to dye the nails and hair of mummies. In the 12^th century, the powder was introduced to India. It was mixed with oils and used on the hands and feet of royalty for decoration, becoming an integral part of many celebrations. The servants who learned to apply the intricate designs began to perform the service for those outside the kingdoms. Mehndi is also found on the bodies of Hindu Gods and Goddesses throughout eastern art, as well as in the Islamic world.

The mehndi designs of Pakistan are a combination of north Indian and Arabic ornamentations and are often geometric shapes, flowers, and leaves. Islamic designs never contain figurative images (animals and people) because they are forbidden to be on the body during prayer. The most recognized use of mehndi is for wedding ceremonies. Intricate design work, unique to each culture, is placed on the hands and feet (sometimes arms and legs) of the bride and/or groom. Female family and friends of the bride gather to apply the thick cool paste to the bride’s skin while dancing, singing, and celebrating for up to two days before the wedding.
 

The Role of Women in Pakistan
Life in Pakistan is very different for women and men. Women are seen as being subordinate to men and have the duty of maintaining the honor of their family and/or husband’s family. They are hidden away from society, either behind doors or behind veils, and rarely socialize with anyone of the opposite sex. Some women fully cover their bodies and heads with veils while others divert their eyes from anyone they come in contact with. The custom of covering oneself is called “purdah”, Persian for “curtain”. The amount of purdah that a woman follows, from covering the face to the extreme of never leaving the home, depends on her and her family’s religious beliefs. Punishments for failing to observe the rules can be very harsh. Women are rarely educated and rarely work. The media teaches “proper” behavior and expectations for women and shows the evils of modernization in female television characters.

Many women around the world are involved in changing these conditions, and over the years, some the women of Pakistan have began to modernize and struggle for greater freedom.

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Pakistan