The pathans are famous for their hospitality.There can be no better proof of their hospitality than in the tradition of the hujra in a Pathan village.You cannot think of a Pathan village without a hujra.The hujra is kept and run by the elder member of a family ,the Khan or the chief landlord of a village.But its doors are open to all who live in the village.The bigger villages have several hujras run by different owners.The size and standard of a hujra depend on the person who runs it.But the necessary things such as a few charpais,chairs,some simple crockery and drinking water are provided in every hujra.
The hujra is a common guest house for the whole village.Anybody is guest is welcome here at all times of the day and night.A stranger who may not be anybody is guest is welcome here at all times of the day and night.A stranger who may not be anybody is guest is treated as everybody is guest.On arrival into the hujra,he is greeted with the prayer,"May you never be tired " and "you are welcome".Everybody present rises to shake hands with him.If it is the meal time,he is given food and given lodging for the night,if he so desires.It is regarded as bad manners among the Pathans to ask a guest how long he would stay.
The Pathans are a very democratic people.Here everybody is equal.They exchange and discuss the news of the day and express their views freely.Everybody has a right to say what-ever he wishes to say.There is no difference between the rich and the poor.The "white-haired",however, receive greater attention because of their old age and wisdom.
A hujra is the centre of the village social life.It is like a community centre.Meetings concerning matters of local interest are held in the open courtyard of the hujra.Everybody can express his own opinion.But the younger lot listens to the older members of the community with respect .The hujra serves a very useful purpose whenever there is a death or a marriage,in the village.People gather in the hujra for the funerals or for offering condolences afterwards.Similarly for a marriage,the wedding procession assembles in the hujra of the bridegroom is village and ends in the hujra of the bride is village.
A hujra is the centre of the village social life.It is like a community centre.Meetings concerning matters of local interest are held in the open courtyard of the hujra.Everybody can express his own opinion.But the younger lot listens to the older members of the community with respect .The hujra serves a very useful purpose whenever there is a death or a marriage,in the village.People gather in the hujra for the funerals or for offering condolences afterwards.Similarly for a marriage,the wedding procession assembles in the hujra of the bridegroom is village and ends in the hujra of the bride is village.
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