Balochi Culture
Balochi Culture(Balochi:بلوچی دۏد) is a group of distinctive cultural traits practiced by Baloch people.[1]
Baloch culture is rich, diverse, and deeply rooted in the traditions of the Baloch people, Their culture reflects a unique blend of nomadic, tribal, and regional influences shaped by their geography and history. The Baloch people, primarily inhabit the Balochistan region spanning Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.[2]
Language and literature
[edit]Balochi is an Indo-European language, spoken by the Baloch and belonging to the Indo-Iranian branch of the family. As an Iranian language, it is classified in the Northwestern group,[3]
Poetry holds a special place in Baloch culture, often expressing themes of love, bravery, and freedom. Prominent poets include Atta Shad and Gul Khan Nasir. The main Balochi literature is found in poetry, which is purely popular in origin and form Poetry is by the Baloch regarded as the highest form of literature.[4]
Among the greats of Balochi literature, can mention Natiq Makrani, Mast Tawakali and Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi, Saba Dashtyari, Muneer Ahmed Badini and Ghulam Mohammad Lalzad Baloch.
Folkore
[edit]Baloch folklore is a rich and vibrant part of Baloch culture, deeply rooted in Balochi language and down through generations. The folklore includes epic poetry, legends, myths, and tales that are integral to their cultural identity that is reflected in Balochi literature.[1]
Baloch folklore is known for its heroic epics. These epics are often recited in poetic form, accompanied by traditional music. Mir Chakar Rind and Mir Gwahram Khan Lashari, the most famous Baloch epic, recounting the story of the 30-year war between the Rind and Lashari tribes.[5]
Hani and Sheh Mureed, a tragic love story. It tells of the deep love between Hani and Sheh Mureed and the societal pressures that ultimately lead to their separation.[1]
Balach Gorgej an epic Hero in sixteenth century that in is depicted in the mythological part the Balochi literature and peots. The bravery and chivalry of legendary figure preserved by the contemporary people.[6][7]
Baloch mythology often intertwines with their beliefs and geography, featuring supernatural. Koh-e-Murad mountain is considered sacred, and legends speak of saints who performed miracles there.[3]
Music
[edit]Traditional Balochi music includes instruments like the suroz (a string instrument). Songs often narrate tales of heroism, love, and tribal history. Some Balochs often believe that Zahirok is the basis of all Balochi music and the essence of the melodies used in singing Balochi narrative song.[8]
The Chaap dance are performed during celebrations, accompanied by rhythmic beats and communal participation. Chaap is a balochi dance mostly performed by forming a circle by a group of people, dancing and clapping.[9]
Clothing
[edit]
The Baloch have worn their traditional clothing since ancient times, and this clothing was spread beyond the borders of Balochistan by ancient dynasties. Pakistan and India dressing have been been greatly influenced by the Baloch clothing.[10]
Balochi needlework or Balochi embroidery, which is used on Balochi women's clothing, in some sources, the beginning of this art is 100 to 200 years before Islam, and the available evidence indicates that this method of sewing has been common among the Baloch people since the beginning of Islam.[11]
Customs and Beliefs
[edit]The Baloch community is traditionally tribal, with a strong sense of loyalty to their Tumandars (Balochi: تَمندار) or Sardar(chiefs).[12]
Lajj o Mayaar(Mayar jali) (Balochi: میارجلی) Hospitality is a key cultural value, and guests are treated with utmost respect.[12]
Mehr (Balochi: مهر) A Baloch hate the enemy to the extreme and highest regards and love for those he likes.[12]
Hak Peheli (Balochi: هک پهلی) means asking for exemption and forgiveness. reconciliation, letting go of grudges, Basically It is done by hugging three times after the prayer on both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.[12]
Diwan (Balochi: دیوان): In Balochi society, Diwan means sense of assembly and conference. Sardars and elders of the tribes(chiefs) gather in a certain place and discuss important matters of the people.[12]
Mesthaagi (Balochi: مستاگی) the reward for giving good news like the birth of a son, news of the arrival of a lost relative, etc.[12]
Bijjaar(Balochi: بیجار) is an aid for ceremonies such as marriage and death to a person that is unable to pay. often, the Sardar asks for bijjaar for a needy tribesman.[12]
Like other people around the world, Baloch people are known for believing in supernatural powers such as the wind and sea. They believe that crossing the boundaries of supernatural powers like "nazzar" (the evil eye) and jinn can affect or curse a human life.[13]
Cuisine
[edit]
Baloch cuisine is noted for its traditional and unique food culture. Dalag is among the prominent dishes regarded by the Baloch people as a core element of their culture and identity. Sajji is familiar in other parts of the country.[14][15]
Tabaheg (Balochi: تباهگ) is a traditional Balochi food in which the meat is salted and dried with sour pomegranate and salt. Tabaheg is cooked with rice. Tabaheg is one of the most famous foods of Balochistan region.[16][17]
Cinema
[edit]Balochi cinema refers to the Balochi-language film industry in Pakistan, Iran, and among the Baloch diaspora.[18]
In Iran, Balochi theatre is in its infancy stage and is concentrated mainly in Zahedan, Iranshahr, and Khash. As of 2008, Zahedan-based Honorkadeh Saba was the sole cultural institution promoting Balochi cinema and theatre.[19]
In recent years, a younger generation of Baloch filmmakers has emerged in Balochistan and Karachi, as part of the new wave of Pakistani cinema. This phase has witnessed the production of quality short films as well as documentaries focusing on social and political issues. Balochi films often show social grievances, oppression, torture, human rights violations, and life as a stranger. [20]
Festivals
[edit]Baloch Culture Day is celebrated by the Balochi people annually on 2 March with festivities to celebrate their rich culture and history.[21]
On 2 March,[22] Baloch people celebrate its culture day every year, where people from different villages gather together to organise various cultural programs. It marks its historical significance across the provincial state.[23] The events include folk music, dance, craft exhibition and other activities.[24]
Religion
[edit]The Baloch are predominantly Muslim, with the vast majority belonging to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, but there is also tiny proportion of Shia in Balochistan.[25][26]
Before the Islam era, the Baloch were the followers of Mazdakian and Manichean sects of Zoroastrian.[27][10][28]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Dashti, Naseer (2012). The Baloch and Balochistan. Trafford Publishing. ISBN 9781466958968.
- ^ Zehi, Pirmohamad. "A Cultural Anthropology of Baluchis". Iran Chamber Society.
- ^ a b Carina،Korn, Jahani،Korn (2003). The Baloch and Their Neighbours. Reichert. pp. 49, 314–317, 248, 260. ISBN 9783895003660.
- ^ "A Brief Introduction to Balochi Literature" (PDF). Uppsala University."
- ^ "BALUCHISTAN iii. Baluchi Language and Literature". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- ^ Dames, Mansel Longworth (1904). The Baloch race. A historical and ethnological sketch. London, Royal Asiatic society.
- ^ Aquil Khan Mengal, Aquil Khan (1969). A Course in Baluchi Volume 2. Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University.
- ^ "Music of Makran: Traditional Fusion from Coastal Balochistan. Topic. TSCD 916. Recorded and annotated by Anderson Bakewell. 2019., byHiromi Lorraine Sakata, 2020". cambridge. doi:10.2307/1519672.
- ^ Numsi, G. (January 2020). "The Performance and Patronage of Baloch Culture through Music (and Related Arts) in the Eastern Arabian Peninsula".
- ^ a b Ahmady, Kameel (2013). From Border to Border Research Study on Identity and Ethnicity in Iran. Avaye Buf. p. 100. ISBN 9788794295314.
- ^ Heidari, Zahra (2016-11-13). "سوزندوزی بلوچ، هنری ریشهدار در تاریخ" [Baloch embroidery, an art rooted in history]. ایسنا (ISNA) (in Persian). Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dashti, Jan Muhammad (2020). The Baloch Cultural Heritage. Trafford Publishing. p. 93-144. ISBN 9781698702872.
- ^ Sultana, Farhat (May 1, 2013). "Ethnicity and Healing Rituals in Gwadar, Balochistan, Pakistan". The Journal of the Middle East and Africa. 4 (2): 169–185. doi:10.1080/21520844.2013.831020.
- ^ "Dalag — a popular Baloch dish". Daily Times. May 23, 2019.
- ^ "Baloch dishes gaining popularity in twin cities". The Nation. March 3, 2018.
- ^ "Discovering flavours and tastes of Balochistan". Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ ""تباهگ" زینت بخش سفره های سحری مردم بلوچستان" ["Tabaheg" adorns the Suhar tables of the people of Balochistan]. Islamic Republic News Agency (in Persian).
- ^ Taheri, Ahmad Reza (2012). The Baloch in Post Islamic Revolution Iran. p. 87. ISBN 9780557328376.
- ^ Taheri, Ahmad Reza (2012). The Baloch in Post Islamic Revolution Iran: A Political Study. Lulu. p. 87. ISBN 9780557328376.
- ^ Rehman, Zia-ur (5 May 2016). "A new lease of life for Balochi cinema?". The News. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "Baloch Cultural Day celebrated with colourful functions, gatherings". Pakistan Today. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "Baloch Culture Day". The Nation. Pakistan. 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Baloch Cultural Day celebrated with colourful functions, gatherings". Pakistan Today.
- ^ "Baloch Culture Day festivities observed across the Balochistan". radio.gov.pk.
- ^ Korn, Jahani, Titus, Agnes , Carina , Paul Brian (2008). The Baloch and Others Linguistic, Historical and Socio-political Perspectives on Pluralism in Balochistan. Reichert Verlag. p. 12. ISBN 9783895005916.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Baloch people". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ Dashti, The Baloch and Balochistan 2012, pp. 142.
- ^ Rathore, Azad Singh (2021). Balochistan The Heights of Oppression. Partridge Publishing India. p. 12. ISBN 9781543706642.