Living in Mianwali Culture – Life, Homes, Tools, and Traditions

Mianwali, a district nestled in the northwest of Punjab, Pakistan, is a place where history, tradition, and daily life blend to form a unique and vibrant cultural identity. From the clay-built homes of rural villages to the simple tools still used by farmers and artisans, the culture of Mianwali is not only lived—it’s built into every detail of its landscape.

 Cultural Foundation and Tribal Identity .

The majority of Mianwali’s population belongs to tribal lineages such as Niazi, Khattak, Awan, Jat, and Pathan. These tribes bring with them centuries of values and customs. Honor (izzat), hospitality, strong family bonds, and tribal loyalty are core elements of social life.

Whether in the rural villages or the city of Mianwali, the essence of tribal culture remains deeply embedded in daily interactions.

Traditional Houses in Mianwali

Rural Homes:

Most homes in Mianwali villages are traditionally constructed using:

Mud bricks (kachay eent) or sun-dried clay

Wooden beams (bannay) and thatched roofs in older areas

Courtyard-centered designs for open air and gatherings

Thall-style construction, adapted to desert-like conditions

These homes are built to keep interiors cool in scorching summers and warm in winters.

GHAR

A SINGLE MUD BUILT HALL KNOWN AS KOTHA, SERVED AS FAMILY BED-CUM-DINING ROOM.

THIS IS MADE  FOR THE SHADE . THIS IS SHED TYPE STRUCTURE WHICH IS MADE WITH WOOD AND  LEAVES OF DIFFERENT PLANTS MOSTLY  SARKANA, MORE COMMONLY CALLED MUNJKANA  IS USED .THE FURNITURE MAINLY CONSISTED OF MANJHA, A 4 X 6 FT WOODEN COT KNITTED ACROSS WITH DATE-PALM STRING.

URBAN SHIFTS:

In cities like Mianwali, Isakhel, and Piplan, modern housing includes:

Cement and brick houses

Marble or tiled floors

Gas and electricity connections

Rooftop water tanks and solar panels (increasingly popular)

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED IN DAILY LIFE

Agricultural Tools:

Agriculture remains a major occupation, and traditional tools are still widely used, especially in rural areas:

Hal (plough) – Wooden or iron, drawn by oxen

Kassi / Belcha (spade/shovel) – For digging

Rehti / Dhera – For water management and field levelling

Dhamni / Tokri – Straw baskets for carrying crops

Desi grinding stones (chakki) – Still used in some homes for wheat or masalas

 Household Items:

CHULLAH-    Chulha (mud stove) – Still used in many rural kitchens

A 4 FEET HIGH U-SHAPED ROOFLESS ENCLOSURE WITH ONE OR TWO MUD-BUILT OVENS KNOWN AS CHULLAH.THE COURTYARD, USUALLY ABOUT A KANAL IN AREA, WAS SURROUNDED BY A 5 TO 6 FEET HIGH WALL. THE ENTRANCE WAS A 6 FEET WIDE GAP IN THE WALL KNOWN AS GALLA.

BHATTI,s

IRON SHEET MADE IN HALF CIRCLE SHAPE FOR MAKING CHAPPTI ROTI(BREAD).THIN WIDE CIRCULAR CHAPATTIS WERE COOKED ON BHATTIS & LOHER, A U-SHAPED TIN SHEET PLACED UPSIDE DOWN AND LAEE OR COW DUNG CAKES WERE USED AS FUEL.

TOKRA

Charpai (woven bed) – Made from wooden frame and rope-MANJHA

Handmade clay pots (matkas) – Used for water storage

Brass and copper utensils – Passed down generations

Phulka-making tools – Belan (rolling pin) and chakla (board)

PEERHA

PEERHA, A CRUDE HIGH-BACKED CHAIR CANED WITH KUNDAR LEAVES WAS USED TO SEAT THE GUESTS.

PEERHI

 PEERHI, A 8 TO 12 INCHES HIGH SQUARE WOODEN STOOL CANED WITH PALM STRING WAS USED BY LADIES AS A SEAT IN THE KITCHEN.

Life Between Tradition and Change

Though urbanization is gradually changing the face of Mianwali, the core lifestyle in villages remains timeless. Families still sit on charpais in open courtyards, cook on wood fires, and use mud pots to cool water naturally.

At the same time, many homes now include smartphones, solar panels, and internet access, reflecting how tradition and modern life coexist.

Living in Mianwali Culture means waking up to the sound of roosters, walking through mustard fields, cooking with ancient tools, and celebrating life with a deep connection to roots. It is not only a way of life—it is a living legacy.From the homes we build to the clothes we wear, and from the tools in our hands to the stories in our hearts, Mianwali continues to honor the past while stepping into the future.