Redefining Culture
A Thought From Zaviya by Ashfaq Ahmed
In Zaviya, Ishfaq Ahmed challenges narrow Western definitions of culture—based solely on birthplace and tangible customs—by emphasizing the profound role of existential questions and mortality in shaping our cultural identities. He argues that true cultural understanding must account for inquiries about life’s origins, the natural world, and the fate beyond death, which in turn inform practices like marriage rituals and death rites. Through illustrative anecdotes—such as shipwreck survivors forming new communities—he demonstrates how fundamental beliefs, rather than mere shared language or geography, forge cultural bonds. This perspective offers a powerful lens for interpreting contemporary phenomena in Pakistan, from ethno‑nationalist movements that selectively invoke an “Indus Valley” heritage to the debates over Aryan‑Dravidian legacies. By integrating both Eastern philosophical sensibilities and Islamic values, Ahmed’s framework invites us to reconnect culture with the deepest questions of human existence.
Ishfaq Ahmed and Zaviya: Redefining Culture
Ashfaq Ahmed (1925–2004) was a celebrated Pakistani writer and broadcaster whose work spans short stories, plays, and radio/TV programmes. His book Zaviya compiles reflections on life, society, and spirituality drawn from decades of storytelling and discourse Wikipedia.
In reviewing Zaviya, critics note that Ahmed offers “a treasure trove of insights and life lessons” encouraging readers toward humility and introspection—elements he believes are neglected in conventional cultural narratives Paradigm Shift.
Ahmed contends that Western-influenced definitions of culture—which prioritize birthplace, language, and material customs—“fail to fully acknowledge the depth of culture” because they ignore questions of death, destiny, and the human connection to the cosmos (as he explores throughout Zaviya) ojs.tahdhibalafkar.com.
The Fundamental Questions Underpinning Culture
Ishfaq Ahmed asserts that culture is rooted in how communities answer existential inquiries—questions that emerge “at some point in everyone’s life”:
Origins of the Natural World:
Where do all the fauna and flora come from?
What is the nature of the sun, moon, stars, rivers, and mountains?
Purpose and Destiny:
Where does one come from?
What is the point of living, and where are we going as we grow?
Mortality and the Hereafter:
What happens to a person after burial, cremation, or immersion?
Does the deceased “appear” in a different form, and is there judgment?
By foregrounding these questions, Ahmed argues that cultural divergence arises primarily from differing answers to them—transcending mere linguistic or geographic commonality
Stranded Boat Survivors
Ahmed illustrates his thesis with the hypothetical of shipwreck survivors:
“When people from various regions are stranded on an island, they naturally gravitate towards those who speak their language. But when it comes to marriage, child‑rearing, or death rituals—such as preferring burial rites aligned with Islamic practice—their deepest beliefs guide alliances and social structures.”
Cultural Paradigm Shift: Marriage, Death Rituals, and Islam
In Islamic contexts, death rituals (e.g., preferring burial by co‑religionists) profoundly reflect answers to the question of afterlife—highlighting how theology shapes culture.
Similarly, marriage and family upbringing hinge on conceptions of life’s purpose and moral order, reinforcing Ahmed’s claim that culture is intertwined with existential outlooks rather than surface customs.
Modern Reflections: Ethno‑Nationalism and the Indus Civilization
Rise of Ethno‑Nationalism in Pakistan
Pakistan has experienced recurring ethno‑nationalist movements, as various groups contest autonomy or independence based on linguistic and cultural claims Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Observers note that such movements often exploit selective historical narratives—lamenting that despite Pakistan’s diversity, only a few nationalities have been officially recognized, fueling resentment and division beta.dawn.com.
Romanticizing the Indus Valley Heritage
A growing fascination with the Indus Valley Civilization has surfaced, with some Pakistanis claiming direct lineage to this ancient culture—a narrative that sometimes veers into ethno‑nationalist propaganda The Diplomat.
Critics argue that emphasizing an Indus “inheritance” overlooks the complex tapestry of South Asian prehistory, where Dravidian‑Aryan interactions and migrations blur simplistic ancestral claims newworldencyclopedia.org.
Aryan Migrations and Dravidian Heritage
Indo‑Aryan migrations (circa 1500 BCE) introduced new linguistic and cultural influences, but did not erase earlier Dravidian‑related traditions that may trace back to the Harappan peoples Wikipedia.
Historical evidence suggests a fusion—rather than a strict takeover—of Dravidian and Aryan cultures, challenging rigid narratives of “original” heritage Study.com.
Conclusion
By reframing culture through the lens of existential inquiry and belief systems, Ishfaq Ahmed’s Zaviya offers a robust alternative to narrow, Western‑centric models. His approach illuminates how our answers to life’s deepest questions—about nature, purpose, and the soul—shape rituals, social bonds, and even modern political movements. In Pakistan today, where ethno‑nationalist fervor often invokes selective histories, Ahmed’s insights remind us that true cultural unity springs from shared convictions about existence, not just the artifacts of ancestry.