Cultural Characteristics
Customs and Traditions
In South Asia, there are many customs and traditions. Many of the countries have separate festivals and special holidays that are specific to their country. In India, Republic Day and Independence Day are celebrated across the entire country. In Bhutan, it is important to show respect to the king. There are also general customs and traditions within the region. In South Asia, many people cover their heads and are modest with their clothing choices. In the region, it is disrespectful to use the left hand to eat, pay for things, and more. It is also respectful to remove your shoes when entering a place of worship or an important building. People in South Asia also prefers that others don't say "thank you". It makes the host feel that they have done more than the guest expected them too. Instead, they like when guests are quietly grateful. The region is home to many customs and traditions that are important to the people. |
Holidays
Throughout South Asia, there are several important holidays. Some of the countries celebrate specific holidays only for their country, where as other holidays are celebrated by the entire region. As stated before, India celebrates Republic Day and Independence Day. They also celebrate Diwali, which is their biggest holiday and is a festival of lights. India also celebrates Gandhi Jayanti. It marks the occasion of Gandhi's birthday, who was the "Father of the Nation". Pakistan observes Pakistan Day in remembrance of the Lahore Resolution. Afghanistan celebrates its Independence Day and Liberation Day. Bhutan observes a National Day as well as several less significant holidays. Nepal celebrates a Constitution Day. Bangladesh celebrates many of the same holidays that the United States does. Sri Lanka celebrates a National Day and several smaller holidays. The Maldives do not celebrate any significant holidays. Throughout South Asia, New Year's Eve and Day are celebrated. Christmas is also celebrated by a few people. Eid is observed by many of the countries because it is the first day of the Islamic month, Shawwal. Holi is a spring festival that is observed by all of South Asia. It is also known as the festival of love or the festival of colors. Ganesha Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the region. It honors the god Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. South Asia has many holidays that are celebrated by many different types of people.
Throughout South Asia, there are several important holidays. Some of the countries celebrate specific holidays only for their country, where as other holidays are celebrated by the entire region. As stated before, India celebrates Republic Day and Independence Day. They also celebrate Diwali, which is their biggest holiday and is a festival of lights. India also celebrates Gandhi Jayanti. It marks the occasion of Gandhi's birthday, who was the "Father of the Nation". Pakistan observes Pakistan Day in remembrance of the Lahore Resolution. Afghanistan celebrates its Independence Day and Liberation Day. Bhutan observes a National Day as well as several less significant holidays. Nepal celebrates a Constitution Day. Bangladesh celebrates many of the same holidays that the United States does. Sri Lanka celebrates a National Day and several smaller holidays. The Maldives do not celebrate any significant holidays. Throughout South Asia, New Year's Eve and Day are celebrated. Christmas is also celebrated by a few people. Eid is observed by many of the countries because it is the first day of the Islamic month, Shawwal. Holi is a spring festival that is observed by all of South Asia. It is also known as the festival of love or the festival of colors. Ganesha Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the region. It honors the god Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. South Asia has many holidays that are celebrated by many different types of people.
History
Afghanistan
The land was first used as a gateway to India. In the 19th century, Afghanistan became a battleground to the rivalry between imperial Britain and czarist Russia for the control of Central Asia. From 1839 to 1919, there were three Anglo-Afghan wars. Finally in 1919, Afghanistan gained its full independence from Britain.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh was once a part of what was called Bengal. In the 10th century, Bengal was primarily Hindu. In 1576, Bengal became a part of the Mogul Empire and the East Bengalis converted to Islam. From 1757 to 1947, Britain ruled Bengal. Then Pakistan controlled Bengal. Finally, Bangladesh was an independent nation in 1971.
Bhutan
Bhutan was made up of feuding regions for centuries. In 1907, King Ugyen Wangchuck unified the regions. At times, Britain exerted control over Bhutan's affairs, but never colonized it. Later, several countries were given the option to remain independent, or join the Indian Union. Bhutan chose to remain an independent country in 1949.
India
The Indus Valley civilization was one of the earliest civilizations in the region from 2600 B.C. to 2000 B.C. In 1500 B.C., the Aryans entered India, finding land that was already civilized. Eventually, Britain gained control over the land and ruled for years. Finally, in 1947, India gained its own independence.
Maldives
The Maldives were first settled in the 5th century by Buddhist seafarers from India and Sri Lanka. In 1887, the British controlled the land. Eventually, Maldives gained their independence in 1965 after signing an agreement with Britain.
Nepal
The first civilization in Nepal was in the 6th century B.C. The early rulers of Nepal gave way to Hinduism and allowed increased influence from India in the 12th century. Eventually in 1768, the kingdom of Nepal was unified by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. The British gained control, but in 1792, there was a commercial treaty that was signed between the British and the Kingdom of Nepal. Nepal didn't earn full independence until 1923.
Pakistan
Pakistan's land was originally a part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Over several thousand years, Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks, and others controlled the region. By 1526, the land had become part of the Mogul Empire, which ruled the majority of the India subcontinent. In 1857, the British gained control of the region and ruled for years. Eventually in 1947, the British agreed to allow independence to Pakistan.
Sri Lanka
Back in the 5th century B.C., Indo-Aryan emigration from India came to form the largest ethnic group on Sri Lanka today. These people were called the Sinhalese. There was also another group of people, the Tamils, who emigrated between the 3rd century B.C. and A.D. 1200. The two groups fought for control of the island (which was called Ceylon until 1972). In 1505, the Portuguese took possession of the land until the Dutch India Company gained control. In 1796, the British took over and it became a English Crown colony. Finally, in 1948, the Ceylonese leaders became a self-governing dominion of the Commonwealth of Nations. Later, in 1972, the island's name was changed to Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan
The land was first used as a gateway to India. In the 19th century, Afghanistan became a battleground to the rivalry between imperial Britain and czarist Russia for the control of Central Asia. From 1839 to 1919, there were three Anglo-Afghan wars. Finally in 1919, Afghanistan gained its full independence from Britain.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh was once a part of what was called Bengal. In the 10th century, Bengal was primarily Hindu. In 1576, Bengal became a part of the Mogul Empire and the East Bengalis converted to Islam. From 1757 to 1947, Britain ruled Bengal. Then Pakistan controlled Bengal. Finally, Bangladesh was an independent nation in 1971.
Bhutan
Bhutan was made up of feuding regions for centuries. In 1907, King Ugyen Wangchuck unified the regions. At times, Britain exerted control over Bhutan's affairs, but never colonized it. Later, several countries were given the option to remain independent, or join the Indian Union. Bhutan chose to remain an independent country in 1949.
India
The Indus Valley civilization was one of the earliest civilizations in the region from 2600 B.C. to 2000 B.C. In 1500 B.C., the Aryans entered India, finding land that was already civilized. Eventually, Britain gained control over the land and ruled for years. Finally, in 1947, India gained its own independence.
Maldives
The Maldives were first settled in the 5th century by Buddhist seafarers from India and Sri Lanka. In 1887, the British controlled the land. Eventually, Maldives gained their independence in 1965 after signing an agreement with Britain.
Nepal
The first civilization in Nepal was in the 6th century B.C. The early rulers of Nepal gave way to Hinduism and allowed increased influence from India in the 12th century. Eventually in 1768, the kingdom of Nepal was unified by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. The British gained control, but in 1792, there was a commercial treaty that was signed between the British and the Kingdom of Nepal. Nepal didn't earn full independence until 1923.
Pakistan
Pakistan's land was originally a part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Over several thousand years, Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks, and others controlled the region. By 1526, the land had become part of the Mogul Empire, which ruled the majority of the India subcontinent. In 1857, the British gained control of the region and ruled for years. Eventually in 1947, the British agreed to allow independence to Pakistan.
Sri Lanka
Back in the 5th century B.C., Indo-Aryan emigration from India came to form the largest ethnic group on Sri Lanka today. These people were called the Sinhalese. There was also another group of people, the Tamils, who emigrated between the 3rd century B.C. and A.D. 1200. The two groups fought for control of the island (which was called Ceylon until 1972). In 1505, the Portuguese took possession of the land until the Dutch India Company gained control. In 1796, the British took over and it became a English Crown colony. Finally, in 1948, the Ceylonese leaders became a self-governing dominion of the Commonwealth of Nations. Later, in 1972, the island's name was changed to Sri Lanka.
Ethnic Characteristics
South Asia has a variety of different ethnic characteristics. The region is so large that there are several ethnic groups within the region. There are the Dravidian people, who are found mostly in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These people are categorized together because they speak the Dravidian languages. Another group is the Bengali people. These people are from the Bengali heritage, which is a group of the region Bengal that is politically divided between Bangladesh and India. A different group in South Asia are the Bhutanese who follow Tibetan Buddhism. Within South Asia, there are many languages spoken between the countries. In Afghanistan, Afghan Persian or Dari, Pashto, and Turkic languages are spoken. In Bangladesh, Bangla and English are the main languages. Bhutan speaks Sharchhopka, Dzongkha, and Lhotshamkha. India has many languages that are spoken - Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Maithili, and English. In Maldives, Dhivehi and English are spoken. Nepal's languages are Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Magar, Bajjika, Urdu, Avadhi, Limbu, and Gurung. In Pakistan, Punjabi, Sindhi, Saraiki , Pashto, Urdu, Balochi , Hindko, Brahui , English, and Burushaski are the main languages. Sri Lanka's primary languages are Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Since the region is so large, there are many languages and at times, this makes communication difficult for the region. Although there are many different ethnic groups in South Asia, they tend to get along for the most part.
South Asia has a variety of different ethnic characteristics. The region is so large that there are several ethnic groups within the region. There are the Dravidian people, who are found mostly in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These people are categorized together because they speak the Dravidian languages. Another group is the Bengali people. These people are from the Bengali heritage, which is a group of the region Bengal that is politically divided between Bangladesh and India. A different group in South Asia are the Bhutanese who follow Tibetan Buddhism. Within South Asia, there are many languages spoken between the countries. In Afghanistan, Afghan Persian or Dari, Pashto, and Turkic languages are spoken. In Bangladesh, Bangla and English are the main languages. Bhutan speaks Sharchhopka, Dzongkha, and Lhotshamkha. India has many languages that are spoken - Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Maithili, and English. In Maldives, Dhivehi and English are spoken. Nepal's languages are Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Magar, Bajjika, Urdu, Avadhi, Limbu, and Gurung. In Pakistan, Punjabi, Sindhi, Saraiki , Pashto, Urdu, Balochi , Hindko, Brahui , English, and Burushaski are the main languages. Sri Lanka's primary languages are Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Since the region is so large, there are many languages and at times, this makes communication difficult for the region. Although there are many different ethnic groups in South Asia, they tend to get along for the most part.
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For more information on celebrating Holi at Carthage College, visit https://www.carthage.edu/live/news/6378-holi-the-festival-of-colors-comes-to-carthage |
Religion
South Asia practices several religions. In Afghanistan, Sunni Islam and Shia Islam and the two main religions. Bangladesh practices mainly Islam and Hinduism. In Bhutan, Lamaistic Buddhism and Indian and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism are the primary religions. In India, the main religions are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism. Maldives practices Sunni Islam. In Nepal, the main religions practiced are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kirantism, and Christianity. Pakistan practices Islam. In Sri Lanka, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity are the main religions. There are smaller religions practiced throughout South Asia, but these are the primary religions for the region. |