Customs and
manners in the Nanga Parbat region in northern Pakistans Diamer district |
Whereever
people with different societies-background meet, misunderstanding is near. As there is the
saying "When you meet a
one-eyed person, pick up a stone". It seems, that foreign people are not allways familiar with the
elementary customs and manners, which every islamic society is used to. So out of this
lack of knowledge, situations arise, which are severly hurting local feelings and cause
trouble, that could be avoided easily by following just a few simple thoughts and rules. |
| Sura 4,86: "When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. GOD reckons all things." Just every guidebook will tell you the simplest things, that is by their understanding, how to greet. They tell you "as- Salam alaykum - Peace be upon you" is the local greeting and "Alaykum as-Salam - With you peace will be" is the appropiate reply. Thats is right...but only when a muslim is greeting another muslim. Exchanging this ritual greetings is done in an religious context, with the ancient meaning, that between this two people will be an contract about protection, help and peace. In ancient days, when islam spreaded out, a muslim was greeting another person, whom he did not know as a muslim by saying "as-Salam ala l-Mu'min - Peace with the Believers". So he avoided to state a unconditional contract with the wrong persons, by not saying "alaykum - with you". Muslims are not allowed to use "as- Salam alaykum" to none-muslims, so when you greet them with "as-Salam alaykum" they cannot answer you in the awaited way. And because of not knowing, how to handle the situation, they will keep quiet and feel ashamed, that they do not know how to respond to your polite greeting. To switch to a form of unmeaningful greeting would be seen as an unhospitality. So in the very first beginning, the contact with you started with beeing ashamed, and by knowing, that the foreigner has not the simplest knowledge about islam and local behaviour. You on the other hand are wondering, why this people dont show politness to greet you. When you are now thinking, that the US-western "Hi" is the multifunctional escape, then you are wrong. The way out, not only for such situations, is the mimic- and gesture-language. Show the person, that you are really happy to meet him, and use your own greeting-formula from your country, or if you favour, the british-english greeting formulas. You should know that handshaking is an unusual behaviour, and following islamic-rule, it is forbidden to touch a woman which doesnt belong to the innermost family. If foreign woman would like to exchange polite greetings, they should keep in mind, that this doing expose them to greatest attraction. Local customs would never allow a woman to have contact with man outside the innermost family. The least troublesome acting is to put the right hand to the heart. |
In ancient days there was seen the danger,
that paintings from human beings could lead to worshipping. So out of tradition, and
following the Hadeeth, the islamic society has to refuse, that animated beeings are
painted. End. Taking photos is therefor allways critical. Tourists
naturally like to take pictures from all and everything, that they see as typical for
country and culture. So they are often looking for strange motives like people in
traditional or poor clothing, or for workers in oldfashioned duties, outdated technics
etc.. It is clear, that people dont be happy to become presented by the photos as poor,
oldfashioned, living behind the present time. One has to understand this, the minimum is,
that you ask politely for allowness, and respect immediately without questioning any
"No, please". A fair way to ask for this allowness is that you show them
pictures from same situations at your homecountry, and/or pictures from your male family.
So that one will understand, that your pictures taken there are for your family at home.
Allways have in mind that none picture is beshaming the local person because of feeling
minor in wealth and education. Pictures of female persons are in no way tolerable or topic
of discussions, questions. Also, asking for allowness will cause trouble for the local
person: How should he bring hospitality and refusal of a wish together? |
In
ancient days, the style and type
of clothing was a sign for
the membership to a certain group, of believers, of craftsman, merchants and so on. So
clothes became a medium to express the social status and the wealth of a person. To beware
one to show or act with pride and arrogance, muslim rules declare that you should be
modest in every worldly affair. Out of this, the local clothes are simple an equal.
To show unity, there is the old tradition which states, that muslims are not allowed
to wear clothes, which are used by people from other believes. So if you wear the local
clothes and show up in the public, you must be at least aware, that this will cause
questions, because it is often seen as provocating, insulting islam. Also, with the
background of former western-occupation of the region, this will remind of western secret
agents which where hidden in local clothes when visiting this area in ancient days. So you
can be easily become suspect of unhonest plans and doings - take care and be sensitive,
what you wear. Showing up with wide-spaced T-shirts, short trousers or other
bodypart-exposing western clothes hurt and provocate local feelings severe, specially of
elder persons. At least, it disqualify you as a person which deserves respect, and a local
person would not be seen in your company. Mixed clothes-style is causing total
misunderstanding, at least it is seen as curiosity. |
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