The Hall of Sufi and Shrines

Associated Press of Pakistan - Pakistan
Sunday, October 21, 2007

Islamabad: Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology, Lok Virsa is attracting a large number of local and foreign visitors, featuring the history and living traditions.

The location of the Heritage Museum enriches the Capital and add to its attractions, said an official of Lok Virsa here Sunday while talking to APP.

Most museums in Pakistan are archeological which are a throwback from colonial times while the Heritage Museum is the first state museum of ethnology that presents the history and living traditions of the people of Pakistan both from the mainstream and the remot regions of the country, he remarked.

“The museum is a treasure house for the nation more valuable than the vault of any bank in the world,” said a foreign visitor.

From Northern Areas to the borders, the museum encourages and sponsors research in the regional languages, cultural history, arts, crafts and all related aspects of folklore including folk romances, folktales, ethnotechnology, ethnomusicology, ethnological data, history of folk literature and oral traditions of the country.

The museum reflects the culture and traditions of Pakistan which would help in preserving and promoting the ancient cultural heritage among the new generation, said Arsilan, a Karachi-based student.

Maryam Javed, a regular visitor said that such places are a source of creating awareness to the youngsters and foreigners about “our rich culture and traditions”.

The hall of “Antiquity and Continuity” is the major attraction which portrays Mehrgarh 8000 BC, Moenjodaro 2500 BC, Harappa 2500 BC, Gandhara 250 BC and the continuity of these ancient civilizations in present times.

The corridor of Musical Heritage includes the best documented display of musical instruments of Pakistan with educational expose of musical traditions while the Hall of Sufi and Shrines depicts the Sufi traditions of contemplations, shrine architecture, sufilore, Urs celebrations, rituals and Sufi practices.

The museum remains open from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm for general public.

[Picture from Lok Virsa Museum' website: http://lokvirsa.net/Index.htm].