Latest news with #PunjabiCulture
Al Jazeera
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Bull racing draws crowds in rural areas of cricket-loving Pakistan
Bulls are yoked together by thick wooden frames in a sun-scorched field in rural Pakistan. Behind them, clutching nothing more than ropes – and his pride – stands a man perched on a plank. Hundreds of spectators whoop and cheer as the animals thunder down a track, kicking up clouds of dust and a tangible sense of danger. This is bull racing, Punjabi style. The traditional sport encapsulates the raw vibrancy of village life and stands in stark contrast to the floodlit cricket and hockey stadiums of Pakistan's cities. In the Attock district of the eastern province of Punjab, bull racing runs deep. Here, it is more than a pastime. It forms part of the region's living heritage. In the village of Malal, a key hub for the sport, crowds gather annually to witness the spectacle. Jockeys crouch low behind the bulls on their wooden planks, gripping the reins and relying upon experience and instinct to claim victory. Yet chaos is never far away. It is not uncommon for bulls to unseat the jockeys, sending them tumbling through the dust. 'This isn't just entertainment. It's tradition,' said Sardar Haseeb, whose family has organised races for generations. 'We take pride in our animals. Farmers and landowners raise their bulls year-round just for this moment. People are willing to pay high prices for a winning bull. It becomes a symbol of pride.' The event has a festive air with dancing and showers of banknotes tossed into the sky – a celebratory gesture more usually associated with weddings. The aroma of freshly fried sweets wafts from sizzling pans, enticing the crowds. Stallholders serve roasted chickpeas and other delicacies. The bustling scene generates income for local vendors, who benefit from the celebration of culture. At the most recent event put on by Haseeb, more than 100 bulls competed, and participants came from across Pakistan to take part. Among the competitors was farmer Muhammad Ramzan. 'My bull came in fifth place, and I'm thrilled,' he said. 'It left 95 others behind.'
South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Pakistan's traditional bull races a source of pride, and income, in rural areas
Bulls are yoked together by thick wooden frames in a sun-scorched field in rural Pakistan, while behind them, holding onto nothing more than ropes and his honour, is a man on a plank. Hundreds of spectators whoop and cheer as the animals begin to hurtle down a track, whipping up a storm of dust and imminent danger. This is bull racing , Punjabi style. The traditional sport captures the raw energy of village life and is a world away from the floodlit cricket and hockey stadiums found in many Pakistani cities. A jockey, left, controls a pair of bulls during a traditional bull race in Malal, Pakistan. Photo: AP Jockeys crouch on a wooden platform behind the charging animals, hanging onto the reins. Photo: AP Bull racing has deep roots in the Attock district of eastern Punjab province. It is more than just a sport there, it is a part of the region's living heritage.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Punjabi dancing competition 'empowering women'
A Punjabi folk dancing competition is empowering young women from south Asian communities, the organisers have annual giddha event in Telford on Sunday was the fourth to be held in the town and judge Sukhi Bart, from Birmingham, said it was getting "bigger and bigger" every judge, Jyoti Desi Divas, explained: "Giddha is all about expressing your internal feelings through music."She said when she was younger, women in her community were not expected to leave the house and the dancing had helped them break traditional stereotypes. Mohni Basri from Solihull, who was hosting the competition at Telford's Mercure Hotel, said it attracted teams from all over the said it was good to see the younger generation take an interest and that if the traditions were not kept alive "our youngsters are going to forget about it". Mr Bart said although it was a traditional Punjabi event, it was open to everyone."You don't have to be Punjabi to enjoy the food, to enjoy the culture, it's a vibrant, vibrant day," he hotel was decorated in bright colours for the contest and he said: "We're a colourful society, we're a colourful culture, doesn't matter where you are, wherever the Punjabis are, colour is represented." Jyoti Desi Divas, who is also from Birmingham, said the competition was judged on a number of criteria the costumes, the jewellery, the synchronisation of the dancers and the energy they Basri said she admired the effort the teams were putting in and added: "You feel like you've got to get up and dance with them." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
