The Land of the Desert is located in the southern part of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. This is called “Cholistan” commonly and it is known locally as “Rohi“. This arid zone is spread over an area of 27,000 Sq. Km which is mainly the part of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts. Cholistan has very harsh climate with a very low rain fall annually and this has resulted the most of its part to remain barren. The people of Cholistan pass a nomadic life and they move continuously in search of water and feed for their cattle. They are mostly dependent upon the domesticated animals including camels, sheep and goats.

The people of Cholistan speak Saraiki language and their main wealth is their livestock. The livestock breeding helps to overcome the need of the milk and meat of the surrounding region. However, the Cholistani people have some other professional activities like clay pottery, weaving, creating the wool products and leather works. Sculpturing and pottery is actually the gift from the nearby Indus civilization to the people of Cholistan. The wool produced in Cholistan is considered very refined which is mainly used in the carpet knitting. They also prepare many other woolen goods. The local textile industry of Cholistan is involved in the making of the traditional clothing items like Ajrak, Chunri, Sufi, Gargas, turbans and shawls which are designed on tremendous patterns and colors. Another famous product of Cholistan is “Khussa” which is prepared by the local shoemakers with exquisite compositions. The women of Cholistan are particularly famous for their traditional ornaments which are also their specialty. The bangles, nose pins, necklaces and anklets are the fundamental feature of the Cholistani fashion.

Although the people of Cholistan are suffering from the basic necessities of life for centuries, they have amazing richness in their culture. Their life is full of colors as they use bright colors not only in formal but in normal wear. Their customs and traditions are also very unique and attractive for the outer world. The Colors of Cholistan are exceptionally prominent in the festive occasions where many musical and dancing theatres are organized. Special traditional food like “Saag – ( Spinach ) ” and ” Khunmbi ” are prepared. Camel Dancing and Snake Charming are also very enticing for the visitors. The craftsmanship of the artisans at work is very distinctive and it is expressly admired.

Here are some glimpses of the Colors of Cholistan which are captured in the eye of camera superbly by some eminent photographers.

Generally the Cholistani people live in the mud houses having walls of unbaked earth; The mud house is often constructed of molded sun-dried blocks of mud slush.

A mud house in Cholistan

 Colors are so important in the clothing of the people of Cholistan. Even the males wear bright colors. Look at this Man from Cholistan ;

A Cholistani Man_( Image : Agha Waseem Ahmed )

The women of Cholistan remain busy in their household tasks. They also help their men in the daily business. This woman of Cholistan is engaged in her daily routine ;

A busy woman of Cholistan in her daily routine ( Image: TARIQ HAMEED SULEMANI )

Water scarcity is the main issue in Cholistan. Many ponds of water have dried up and the long dry spells are the main threat for the people of Cholistan. The women normally bring water from the water wells which are the underground water resources.

The women of Cholistan around a Water well ( Image : Agha Waseem Ahmed )

The women of Cholistan go to the water ponds together in form of groups, fill their pitchers with water and bring them back to their homes.

Water carrying women of Cholistan ( Image : Nadeem Khawar )

The livestock breeding is the main job of the Cholistani herders. Their herds normally consists of precious cattle genetics ;

A herd of sheep in Cholistan ( Image : AMEER HAMZA )

The inhabitants of Cholistan love camel. A special breed of camel is known as Mareecha breed and this name is associated with the local tribe, Mareccha.

The Camel dance in Cholistan ( Image : Iqbal Khatri )

The Snake Charmers of Cholistan travel and explore this fantastic desert; they visit different places and show their dancing snakes to the spectators. This is the main source of their earnings and they remain in the search of snakes during the entire summer.

A group of snake charmers in Cholistan ( Image : Muzammil Pasha )

Derawar Fort is a fortified structure in Cholistan which is famous for the tourists for its magnificent location. This glorified fort stands erected with its amazing towers in the golden sand of Cholistan but some parts of Derawar Fort are decaying rapidly due to negligence of authorities.

The famous Darawar Fort in Cholistan ( Image : Tariq Hameed Sulemani )

The City Mosque is also named after Darawar Fort.

City Mosque of Darawar Fort ( Image: Ahahita Hashmani )

The camels are used by the people of Cholistan as the main mode of transportation.

The local transportation of the people of Cholistan ( Image : Dr Ahsan )

The folk culture of Cholistan is very rich. The land of the desert has produced many legends in the fields of folk music and performing art. This is a photograph of the local Cholistani singer.

A folk singer from Cholistan ( Image : ENGINEER J )

Chanan Pir is a famous saint of Cholistan and his burial place is also named after him as Chanan Pir village. Annually, thousands of people from distant places come to celebrate the Chanan Pir Festival.

An image of the Chanan Pir Festival of Cholistan ( Image: Nadeem Khawar )

Colors of Cholistan

Colors of the Chanan Pir festival at Cholistan

The male folk dancers dress up themsleves as female while performing publically in many festivals. This is their thousands of years old tradition, as they dislike their females to perform as dancers.

A male folk dancer of Cholistan dressed up as a female ( Image : AWAIS YAQUB )

The ancient ruins of Mauj Garh Fort in Cholistan

The ruins of Mauj Garh fort in Cholistan ( Image: Nadeem Khawar )

In the Cholistan desert, an Annual Jeep Rally, known as Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally is also oganized.  It is the biggest motor sports event in Pakistan.

Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally ( Image by Max Loxton )

A documentary on Cholistan ( Courtesy PTV )

Churidar Pajama or Choori Pajama is one of the favorite traditional dresses of South Asia.  In the summer season perhaps Churidar Pajama is the most in dress for the women in this region. Churidar Pajama is designed in wonderful patterns and styles which are equally liked as casual and as formal wear too. The trend of Churidar Pajama dates back to the Mughal era during which it was particularly associated as court dress. Apparently this dress very much seems like Shalwar Kameez but it is very much different in its style and wear.

Churidar Pajama: The traditional South Asian attire

Choori Pajama is the name of this dress in the local language, Urdu in which “CHOORI” denotes as “Churidar” and “Pajama” means “trousers”. Churidar actually means a very tightly fitting pant or trousers which are narrow more quickly, so that contours of the leg are revealed. Churidar Pajamas accentuates the figure and due to this tight fitting the physique is adorably exhibited. Earlier, this dress was called by the British as Moghul breeches, long-drawers, or mosquito drawers.

Latest Churidar Pajama Style

Normally Churidar Pajama, the favorite South Asian attire is worn by the women with a tunic top which is called as Kameez while Men use Kurta for this purpose. In the most recent years, Churidar pajamas are liked with long shirts and long Dubattas. This dress has also gained significant popularity across Europe and America as many immigrants from the Indian sub-continent have brought this traditional attire along with them to these continents. Churidar Pajama is a splendid variation in the traditional long Shalwar Kameez which has become the most favorite dress among the ladies.

Churidar dress in purple

Women with medium height love to use pencil heal footwear with Churidar Pajama while long ladies prefer the traditional Khussa shoes. In both cases, Churidar Pajama enhances the glory and beauty of the user.

Made from fine leather and embellished with golden and silver threads, beads and sequins on traditional motifs – Khussa is traditional, handmade footwear from Pakistan. The art and craft of designing Khussa is very old in the sub continent especially in the Punjab region of Pakistan. However, the art reached its zenith when the Mughal emperors (especially Prince Saleem) adopted this traditional footwear and made it part of the royal costume.

Image from flixya.com

Beautiful Khussa shoes were prepared on amazing patterns and motifs when craftsmanship of shoe makers perfected the creativity of royalty. Khussa is those days was a symbol of royalty and was worn by ruling and cultural elite of the region.

Image © Omair Khan

Later, Khussa shoes became a part of the culture. Today, Khussa shoes are worn by men and women of all ages at wedding ceremonies, festivals or just as daily footwear. They are made manually. The shape, design, color and material of Khussa shoes vary within different regions but they are equally liked by people of all regions. Khussa is worn with traditional dresses like Shalwar Qameez or Pajama; however, youngsters wear it as casual footwear with jeans as it is trendy, stylish and available in many varieties.

The best place to buy Khussa shoes is Texali Gate market in Lahore where a number of shops offer Khussa in many colors, materials and styles.