Culture of Balochistan

Adnan Taimoor

Culture: Definition

The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time are called culture.

Culture refers to the knowledge system shared by a large group of people and this knowledge is transferred through out generations.

Culture: Levels

National Level: Associated with the nation as a whole.

Regional Level: Associated with ethnic, linguistic, or religious differences that exist within a nation.

Generation Level: Associated with the differences between grandparents and parents, parents and children.

Social Class Level: Associated with educational opportunities and differences in occupation.

Balochistan: Introduction

Location: South-West of Pakistan Area=3,47,190 km2

Constitutes 44% of Pakistan’s total land

Largest province of Pakistan in terms of area

Population:13.16 million(1.316 crore)

Literacy Rate: 43%

Balochistan: Introduction Contd..

Provincial Capital: Quetta Total Districts:30 QuettaGwadarZhobMastung Dera BugtiPishinZiarat Qila AbdullahChagai KalatAwaran LasbelaJhal MagsHarnai

KhuzdarSibiZiaratBolanMusa Khel BarkhanKohluQila SaifullahNasir AbadJafar AbadPanjgurKechLoralaiSheerani

* Four of the sub-divided districts not shown on map

Balochistan: Introduction Contd..

Quetta Gwadar

Culture of Balochistan: People

A number of tribes constitute to make peopleof Balochistan.

Three major tribes of Balochistan are:

Baloch Brahvi Pashtoon (Pathan)

Culture of Balochistan: People Contd..The tribes of Balochistan are divided into the following categories (only some of them are listed):

Baloch

Rind

Lashaar

Marri

Bugti

Ahmedzai

Pahtoon

Kakar

Mandokhel

Achakzai

Sherani

Luni

Brahvi

Raisani

Shahwani

Bengulzai

Lehri

Bezenjo

The tribal chief is called “Sardar”.

Head of sub-tribe is known as “Malik, Takari or Mir”.

Each tribe is further sub-divided into various branches and a Jirga system is followed by most of the tribes.

Sardars and Maliks are members of district jirgas and other local jirgas according to their status.

Culture of Balochistan: People Contd..

Most of the people in cities and towns understand and speak two languages.

Culture of Balochistan: Languages

Pashto

Brahvi

Baluchi

Majority of the population speak the national language Urdu.

Major

In Kachhi and Sibi districts, people speak Saraiki and Sindhi.

Culture of Balochistan: Languages contd..

Quetta city, the confluence point of all linguistic groups accommodatesnot only Urdu, Baluchi, Pashto, Brahviand Sindhi speaking people but Darri and Persian speaking ones as well.

Culture of Balochistan: Dress

Turban is the common headwear of the men.

The mean's shalwar kameez consists of a very baggy shalwar which uses large lengths of cloth.

Men:

The kameez is also loose, which traditionally is long with long sleeves.

Culture of Balochistan: Dress contd..

The female Balochi suit consists of the head scarf, long dress and a shalwar.

Balochi women wear loose dresses which are decorated in local designs which include Balochi silk-thread chain-stitch embroidery(کڑھائی)

Women:

Balochi embroidery alone has 118 different basic designs.

Culture of Balochistan: Food

The popular dishes of Balochistan are:

Sajji

Kaak, a rock-hard prepared bread.

Culture of Balochistan: Food contd..

Khaddi Kabab is a dish in which a whole lamb or goat is cooked over a fire.

Dampukht is also a Balochi dish which is prepared with meat and it is cooked in fats.

Culture of Balochistan: Marriages

The dowry is given by the bride’s family, not the groom’s family.

Life partners are commonly selected within the family (constituting all close relatives) or tribe.

The bride’s parents are only supposed to gift clothes and gold to their daughter according to their financial status.

All expenses of wedding (of both families) are also paid by the groom’s family.

Culture of Balochistan: Marriages contd..

Habar-Bandi (Engagement)

Some of the marriage ceremonies are:

Bijjar (The aid from relatives taken by the groom’s family)

Jol Bandi (Preparing the bride for the wedding ceremony)Hinna Band-Female (Mehndi)Hinna Band-Male (Mehndi)NikahGrand FeastNadinag (Groom leaves her home with the bride)

Culture of Balochistan: Festivals

Religious Festivals

Eid-ul-Azha

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-Meladun-Nabi

Cultural Festivals

Sibi Festival

Buzkashi

Sibi Festival: The festival lasts for almost a week in mid-February. Folk music performances, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls,and cattle shows are present at this festival.

Buzkashi: It is a sport played on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat fromeach other.

Culture of Balochistan: MusicMusical Instruments:

Flutes

DholSuroz

Culture of Balochistan: Music contd..

Musical Instruments:

Tambur Baglama

Culture of Balochistan: Music contd..Famous Poets:

Baba Jawansal BugtiGul Khan Nasir

Famous Singers:Akhtar Channal Zehri Zarina Baloch

The End