The
Traditional Hospitality
The culture of Punjab, from among the cultures of the world,
has its own unique fragrance. It is unmatched. The scent of
this fertile land is such in which the warmth of you-are-my-own
is inborn. All communities hold pride in their traditions
and the Punjabis whose openmindedness has become proverbial
also hold their unique tradition of hospitality high in their
estimation as well as in their values of life. A guest in
Punjab is considered as a representative sent by God.
Hospitality promotes brother-hood and holds a special significance
for bringing people closer, love and kindness flow Out Of
it and in Punjab they say that the more you love the more
it multiplies and you receive back many more times the kindness
that you give.
The land of Punjab which is variously described as the land
of the Gurus, Pirs and the warriors, as a matter of faith
believes in earning honest living through hard labour and
in sharing the Fruits of this labour with others without expecting
any returns. Hospitality is a living aspect of our culture
which is shown even to the migratory birds who seek soujorn
here.
Punjabis don't profess and practice hospitality in their own
land only but carry it, untainted and virgin to the lands
where they emigrate and keep alight the zest of humane love
which is an organic trait of their culture. There in no country
in the world where the have not created waves.
Hospitality binds people together in bonds of love, it increases
the circles of friendship and makes the atmosphere aglow with
human warmth. Punjabis have proved this in all corners of
the world in seemingly alien lands and because of these qualities
they have been willingly accepted as useful, responsible citizens
of the world, warm neighbours and good friends.
Man is a social animal and hospitality is an initimate aspect
of social intercourse in which Punjabis excel. When the British
landed in Punjab as victors they were astonished to find that
every little village and every mohalla in the larger cities
of Punjab had special places to receive and honour guests
and that the people of this land were irrepressible extroverts.
The District Gazetteers of the time bring forth Punjab's generous
hospitality in bold relief.
Although Punjab has received hospitality as a God's gift yet,
on account of recent disturbances and rising prices it is
coming under strain in the cities of Punjab. However, in villages
it still remains supreme. It resides in the soul of rural
folks. Reach a home in the middle of the night, the ladies
will happily get up and cook fresh food for you. You can't
pass by certain vilIages without enjoying hospitality. You'll
be looked after so long as you stay. You will be warmly sent
off, not empty handed, but with a gift of whatever is available
in the house. Like all other human traits of the people of
Punjab their hospitality is also guileless, rare and intense.
It is an ubiquitous theme of Punjabi folk lore. When the crow,
sitting atop the roof, crows, or dough when it is being kneaded
bubbles, folk songs tell us that these are auspicious omens
which convey that a guest is on his way. There are several
other sayings which speak of the pleasures that are derived
by looking after visitors.
Good habitat, laughter, playfulness and love form the enviornment
in which hospitality grows. May the culture of this blessed
land of the five rivers perpetuate and ever grow !
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