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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 open-mindedness 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 described as the land
of the Gurus, Pirs and the warriors, as a matter
of faith believes in earning honest living through
hard labor and in sharing the fruits of this labor
with others without expecting any returns. Hospitality
is a living aspect of our culture, which is shown
even to the migratory birds that seek sojourn here.
Since time immemorial Punjab has known the art of
respecting other people’s aspirations. Waves
after waves of invaders, settlers, traders, travelers,
in fact whoever came to take succor in this richly
endowed land was absorbed in its mainstream.
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 they 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 neighbors 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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