Libya is the third largest country of Africa with an approximate population of 6.5 million. Almost three quarters of the total population is living in the urban areas and Tripoli is the capital of Libya which is also the largest city of the country. A civil war was urged in 2011 as a result of which the undemocratic regime was collapsed with the death of the country’s famous dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi. Since the independence of Libya as the United Libyan Kingdom, the country observed strict and conservative religious codes of lives. Almost 97 % of the total population of Libya practice Islam and they belong to the Sunni School of thought.

Two Libyan girls in their traditional dresses - Mansour Ali's Image

The ancient Libya was a region of the indigenous Berber and Bedouin people, so their traditional values are the part of the Libyan cultural heritage. Although ,if we deeply study the pre historic Libya, the marks of the Phoenician, Greek and Roman civilizations will be prominent upon the culture of Libya. In the sixteenth century was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and remained under their control for a long time. Libya was occupied by the Italian, British and French forces on its different parts till the mid of the twentieth century.

A girl in a typical Libyan traditional costume - CH Lee's Image

The present Libyan people consider themselves as the part of the Arab world and Arabic is the official language of Libya. Although, Berbers and Tuareg groups still speak their own tribal languages.

The traditional dress of Libya consists of a long and loose gown along with the trouser for the lower body. They also use a cloak to cover their bodies and use the traditional cap on their heads. The Libyan youth is rapidly turning toward the Western clothing and the boys are normally seen in the jeans and shirts in the main cities.

A Libyan woman in her traditional dress - Valonia Hardy's image

The Libyan women also wear the typical long gowns which are also usually used to cover the heads. Modern girls although love to wear the fashionable and bright colored costumes but most women still continue to cover their hair in Hijab.

The women of Libya in the urban parts also use scarves - Alan Shipley's Image

Even the modernly designed costumes are also the blend of the traditional and Western styles. The traditional dress and jewelry is also very common in the rural areas.

A young Libyan girl in her traditional costume - Mansour Ali's Image

The nomadic Berber people of Libya trace their African roots back to 2000 B.C.E. and their traditional dress passed through many amendments caused by the influences of invading cultures. Still many Berbers continue to wear a “haik”, a large cloth wrapped around the body and wrap their heads with the cloth turbans. Similarly the Berber women cover their hair with scarves and their faces with veils called “mandeels”. Under their haiks, many Berbers wear ankle-length tunics or loose trousers called “shalwar”. A Berber women’s dress is very colorful and decorative.

A Tuareg man of Libya wearing his traditional dress on a camer. Image © Eric Lafforgue

Walking on the streets of Libya, you can see the Libyan people moving in different styles of garments. Even to see any man or woman in the traditional dress of Libya is not unusual.

Some Tuareg people of Libya dancing in their traditional ccostumes - Chris G Images

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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 )