Baloch Way of Life
The Rich Baloch Culture
Baloch culture is rich, varied and deep-rooted. There are certain characteristics which have become the hallmark and the distinguishing traits of the Baloch. Some of these characteristics are: bravery, fearlessness, honesty, loyalty, friendship, righteousness, sincerity, integrity and simplicity. Like every other nation who has been suppressed and kept back-ward, Baloch are traditional in the sense they are rather resistant to change their norms and values but are also liberal. After all it was their cultural cohesion that made them survive throughout centuries of brutal and barbaric attacks and killings by outsiders. However, emphasis on tradition should not portray a picture of Balochistan with nomads and camels moving around and life as it was many centuries ago. Indeed Balochistan, despite deliberate deprivation by the ruling governments of Iran and Pakistan, is a modern place with a secular and liberal society. The Baloch are very hospitable, nice and friendly. They are generally intelligent, learned, well-informed, initiated, cultivated, socially accomplished and politically attentive. Culturally, they are rich and self-dependent. A Balochi way of living;
Baloch culture is rich, varied and deep-rooted. There are certain characteristics which have become the hallmark and the distinguishing traits of the Baloch. Some of these characteristics are: bravery, fearlessness, honesty, loyalty, friendship, righteousness, sincerity, integrity and simplicity. Like every other nation who has been suppressed and kept back-ward, Baloch are traditional in the sense they are rather resistant to change their norms and values but are also liberal. After all it was their cultural cohesion that made them survive throughout centuries of brutal and barbaric attacks and killings by outsiders. However, emphasis on tradition should not portray a picture of Balochistan with nomads and camels moving around and life as it was many centuries ago. Indeed Balochistan, despite deliberate deprivation by the ruling governments of Iran and Pakistan, is a modern place with a secular and liberal society. The Baloch are very hospitable, nice and friendly. They are generally intelligent, learned, well-informed, initiated, cultivated, socially accomplished and politically attentive. Culturally, they are rich and self-dependent. A Balochi way of living;
Baloch Names & Titles
Traditionally the name of a child was chosen a few days after birth, mostly on the sixth.The child was given a name of some worthy forefather who was not alive.But at the first instance, he was given an alternate name.As the Baloch had great respect for their departed elders, they gave names to the children formally, but in the meantime alternate names were chosen because the children by those would be receiving rebukes, which was considered an insult even to those names and always avoided.
The Baloch borrowed names from animals, trees, plants, colours and even parts of the body. Names were also derived from the name of week days.
Father’s name was sometimes added to the actual name, as Chakar-e-Saihakk (Chakar son of Saihakk) or Haibitan Murad (Haibitan son of Murad).This practice most probably has crept into Baloch culture through Arabic influences at a much later stage.
Dress & Jewellery
The Baloch wore a jamag, along shirt, down to heels and loose trousers; a turban, pag and shoes made of leather or sawas, made of palmyra, piss.The jamag had side pockets. Like their Aryan ancestors, they always wore white.In recent times over-coat or waist-coat, kaba, which was usually embroidered in different colours was used by noblemen.Sal orchadir which was a mark of distinction was used by elderly persons who warped it round the waist and knees, called kabarsani, to sit in a particular position in Balochi diwan. Socks have also been in use.
Women also wore loose shirts or gowns and trousers.Primitive women used only a large loose shirt which covered her from neck to the feet and usually did not wear trousers.The gown was ornamented with a profusion of needle-work of various matching colours. The shirt had a large front pocket, pandol, near the knees which was also embroidered.She had achadir or gusan on the head which also covered the neck and breasts.Women wore shoes and socks.Virgin and widows usually wore black jamag; and among some tribes white, without any embroidery, while a married women used various colours, the favorite being red.The married old women sometimes used black shirt without embroidery.They did not use any jewelry or ornaments.If a widow used embroidery , it was a clear indication that she intended to re-marry.
Men had long hair while the women’s long hair was parted in the centre of the forehead.This separation was called giwar. The hair was beautifully managed in two and left down back.Women in some areas used amad, a black tooth paint.The head was usually bound with a fillet or black stuff or silken cloth. Tituk or tattooings were made on women’s forehead and cheeks, especially of newly married girls.
In ancient times the customs of burying the dead with garments and ornaments was perhaps the most archaic use of jewelry. Purely decorative jewelry had existed since the beginning of the Christian era.The Baloch use of jewelry has close affinity with the Aryan’s traced from the archaeological findings.The primitive Baloch thought that garments or jewelry could ward off evil and protect persons from vicious elements.Such beliefs also existed among most other people. The Baloch believed that some evil forces who were in search of opportunity to harm human beings could be checked by the use of jewelry.The bridegroom besides his usual ornaments, such as a sword, had some hidden object on his person during, at least, the first night of the marriage.
The women wore durr (earrings), pulu and pulluk (rings in nose), har or touk (necklace and bracelets), mundrik (rings in hands and foot fingers), sanga or tal (rings around hands),bahuband or bahink (armlets).Ornaments of various kinds were fixed on the heir including choti-pull, moudi, which are fixed on the hair near the back, and tall which was added to make the hair appear long.
Birth of a child
The occasion of the birth of either a male or a female child was marked with much music and singing.The women folk attended the mother for seven nights and sang sipatt or nazink, literally meaning songs of praise.Food and sweets were prepared and distributed.The birth of a boy was greeted with greater rejoicing than the birth of a girl.Among some tribes no ceremonies were performed on the birth of a girl, while among other tribes usual ceremonies were performed from birth to death.They included birth, sasigan (selecting name on sixth day), burruk (circumcision), padgami (child’s beginning to walk) and salwar (wearing of trousers) etc.
Marriage
Marriages which generally took place after puberty were performed with ceremonies which included music, dancing and distribution of food.The girl was usually a few years junior to the boy.Marriage was arranged to a closely knit family.Expenses of food prepared on either side was borne by the bridegroom.To meet the expenses and amount of labb, bride price, relatives of the bridegroom collected bijjari, subscriptions from friends and relative.Traditionally, everyone who was asked gave according to his means. Sheeps, cows, goats or camels were also presented as bijjar. Relatives of the bride also collected bijjar called giwari on the marriage evening.
The general characteristics of a wedding included negotiations by parents and other relatives.All details were agreed upon and the wedding was formalized later on. Labb was fixed before hand.Sang or harbarsindi, betrothal, was the first step. The expenses, pardach, was incurred by the bridegroom. Pardach was paid in cash and kind before by the marriage date.It also included embroidered clothes and other essential articles for the bride.
Sang was almost as absolute as the marriage itself.After engagement, the parents of the girl were bound to give the hand of the lady to the person to whom she was betrothed.There was no backing-out from either side save in exceptional circumstances.Only in rare cases, could the man forego his fiancée, distar.
Sahbadal or system of exchange of girls between families without stipulations paid was also prevalent.Sometimes conditions were made that a daughter born of a marriage would be given to relations of bride’s parents.However, if there was a marked difference in the ages or personal attractions of would-be-bride and bridegroom, it would then be compensated in money by either side.Betrothal in childhood among close relatives was also common.
The date of marriage was usually announced well in advance and all the relatives and friends were duly informed.In former times, the invitation for participation was sent to the entire clan which then selected the individuals for taking part in the ceremonies on their behalf.However, at a much latter stage, the invitations were sent to individuals and family heads.The persons sent for inviting the people, Lotuki, included singers and dancers who started singing and dancing before entering a village.The party would then be feasted by the village headman before their return.
A few days before the event, a kapar or a large wooden tent was built, a few yards from the home of the bridegroom.In coastal areas this temporary tent was called mangeer where more than on marriage ceremonies were performed.This was built for the occasion by the people under supervision of the village headman. All ceremonies including dancing and singing were performed there.This would also serve as a guest house for visitors from the nearby villages.Among peculiar customs, korag, was most prominent.The bridegroom was taken a few furlongs outside the settlement, as the word connotes, most probably to the riverside, in the evening, where arrangements were made for his bath and make-up.He would then mount no horseback or camel and was brought to diwanjah or mangeer amid much singing and dancing.
Another peculiar custom was that a week before the marriage, the girl was secluded from the rest of the family.Only the closest female relatives and friends could visit her.During this period she was also briefed regarding her duties and responsibilities after marriage
After sun-set the bridegroom profusely arrayed, accompanied by close friends and relatives moved to the bride’s house where proper arrangements were made. Formal wedding was performed after the guests were feasted..
Deewan
The Baloch had an open society with its unique characteristic of equality and freedom, which is now deep-rooted.Every Baloch was expected to be active member of the tribe.He took part in discussion in diwan which was open to everyone, at the house of the Sardar or the elder. Sometimes there were separate place, diwanjah, for such gatherings. Social, political and economic problems concerning the tribe were debated in these assemblies. Diwan literally means gathering or assembly.
Diwan in it formal nature was to be participated in by the elders and elected personalities. In all informal get-together everybody felt his presence.This spirit had made the Baloch into a close knit tribal structure based on mutual benefit and loss.
The house of the leader, or diwanjah was the place where history, legends, ballads, drama, lyrics and tales of love were told and sung.Every one wished that he could exert himself and attract others by his knowledge and manners during such discussions.
Music & Dance
The Baloch has a rich musical culture.His interest in music was profound.It is possible that like other civilizations, music among ancient Baloch had functions connected with religion.However, its ecstatic and secular possibilities nevertheless had relation with some form of magic.The Baloch treated persons suffering a type of disease similar to hysteria or chronic indigestion through music. They were called Gwati. Minstrels played music on sorouz and tamborag and repeated often one particular rhythm.When the music reached its climax the gwati started a relentless movement in a dancing pattern.This would continue for many hours til late at night.It was believed that music would construe some magical effect, and that disease which had been caused definitely by some evil forces would end.
Music had its importance on all occasions except death when the ceremonies were of a more solemn nature.Other occasions were marked with much singing and dancing.
The Balochi sur or raags which could be termed Zaheerag because of their general characterization of melancholy pattern, could be categorized under two main heads: Balochi and Kurdi.All others which may be as many as twenty come under these heads.Under Balochi, comes its various branches: miedi gor-obam, mianag, asrap-e-durra and janozam.Kurdi included baskard jalawani kurdi, sahr kurdi, salat and tat. It may, however, be noted that the entire Balochi musical structure is based on Zaheerag. Some of the folk-music appears to be somewhat different from it, but in their formal structure all musical derivatives have their base in Zaheerag.
Among the musical instruments nal-sur, tamborag and suroz were important.
Religious dances were not prevalent.However, in the more recent past, Zigri sect, among the Baloch, practiced a kind of religious dance called chogan. It, however, varied much from classical temple dances of most ancient cultures.
The main dance was do-chapi when men gathered and danced, clapping hands with the movement of foot, nech and head on rythmical music on drum, dohl. Any kind of dance apart from do-chapi was not universal. Basically it was for the enjoyment of performers and was not a spectator dance.On many occasions women moved in a circle, clapping hands but without any body movements such as do-chapi.
Lewa, hambo and latti were also prevalent mostly through foreign influence. Lewa is supposed to be of Arabian origin, while Latti and Hambo were clearly dances of the ancient indigenous people of Balochistan.
Hal was giving and receiving news when one chanced to meet another.It was an obligation, and always reciprocal.A person must communicate the latest happenings which may include the prices of essential goods in a nearby market or some political events o a more serious nature.This helped in conveying the latest happening in remote areas.When travelling in groups, the hal was given by the elderly person of noble birth.This was called chehabar. To reveal or receive hal was a mark of distinction.
MESTAGI
Mestagi was the reward for giving good news as birth of a son, news of the arrival of a lost relative or report of a victory in the battle.It was appropriate and according to the good news conveyed.
Crimes & Punishment
A very peculiar cultural trait was that even the criminal or offender, if apprehended, would never tell a lie even in the face of instant punishment.This was against his sense of honour and pride.He was always truthful.This made torture to extract information or confession of guilt quite unnecessary.
Among the ancient Baloch, like other Aryan groups, trial by ordeal was perhaps in vogue.The culprit had to prove his innocence by walking through the fire or putting his hands on a hot rod.In Balochi folk stories there are numerous instances when the innocence of the offender had to be proved by putting his hands on the hot stones, tapag. This practice was perhaps discarded early in the Christian era.
In most cultures any child of less than then years was usually considered incapable or guilt on the ground that he or she was too young to differentiate between right and wrong.The practice was completely reversed among the Baloch. The Baloch child had a penetrating sense regarding his enemies and friends.Old blood accounts sometimes were settled by persons of less than ten years.A Baloch child took part in battles.Therefore, the case of guilt or criminal responsibility for the minor was always judged according to circumstances and merit of the case.The members of the family of the minor would have to bear the responsibility of his guilt if the crime was provoked by them
The home of any Baloch elder was a safe refuge and place of protection for all the offenders of law till the decision of the dispute through the Jirga or med.
Love Story Of Shay Murid And Hani | Balochi Story
Shay Murid and Hani are two famous and living names which reflect their glories in the pages of Baloch history, and their tragic love story is heard almost in every house of Balochistan. Shay Murid was the son of Shay Mubarak and Hani was the daughter of Mir Deenar. Hani was Murid’s cousin and was betrothed to Murid in childhood. She was known for her good character and faithfulness.
Anyhow, Legend has it that one day when Mir Chakar Rind with his companions was returning from a day of hunting, they felt thirsty. They stopped at the town where Murid’s fiancée (Hani) lived. Chakar went to Mir Deenar’s home and asked for water, there was nobody except Hani. Hani brought him clean water in a silver bowl in which she put dwarf palm leaf, properly washed. Mir Chakar was surprised by the pieces of straw; however, he drank the water with care so as to avoid swallowing the straw. Seeing this, Mir Chakar got engrossed in thinking about Hani’s act of putting pieces of straw in the water.
Anyhow, Legend has it that one day when Mir Chakar Rind with his companions was returning from a day of hunting, they felt thirsty. They stopped at the town where Murid’s fiancée (Hani) lived. Chakar went to Mir Deenar’s home and asked for water, there was nobody except Hani. Hani brought him clean water in a silver bowl in which she put dwarf palm leaf, properly washed. Mir Chakar was surprised by the pieces of straw; however, he drank the water with care so as to avoid swallowing the straw. Seeing this, Mir Chakar got engrossed in thinking about Hani’s act of putting pieces of straw in the water.
Later, he realized that Hani had acted wisely by putting pieces of straw into the water. Since he drank water on empty stomach and could be choked by drinking it in a single gulp. Mir Chakar was so impressed by the act of Hani; hence he wanted to marry her. He sent Sazen, who was the courier of Chakar, with the company of another old woman for selling things but their intention was to pop the question for Hani to her father. However, there Sazen came to know that Hani was already betrothed to her cousin Shay Murid; Sazen did her utmost to woo her to leave Murid and marry Chakar; but her all efforts went in vain, as Hani refused and took them out of her home. It is said that in the meantime, Sazen promised that one day she would surely be the bride of Chakar.
Chakar and Sazen thought of a lot of tricks so that they must be able to break the engagement of Hani and Shay Murid. Sometimes later, Mir Chakar organized a gathering of nobles as well as poets who shared poetry. At the height of it, Mir Chakar asked the nobles to make vows on which they must sacrifice their lives if required. Every chief at the gathering made a promise. Mir Jado promised that he would chop off the head of anyone who touched his beard at the assembly of nobles. He was followed by Mir Haibitan, who vowed that if anybody’s camel joined his camel-herd, he would never give it back. Mir Chakar promised that he would sit under the shadow of a tree, whosoever chopped it down; he would never make a move from the shadow of it until it is chopped down. He was true to his words. At last came the turn of Shay Murid who promised that if anyone asked for anything in his possession on Thursday morning, he would give.
Right after a short period, Mir Chakar tested Mir Jado’s word by asking his young son to touch his father’s beard during an assembly of nobles. The young boy innocently did what he was told. Mir Jado turned his face and moved the boy believing that no one noticed; however, Mir Chakar told the boy to repeat the action. The boy grabbed his father’s beard once again. The entire assembly became silent and looked towards Mir Jado whether he would be true to his word. Jado, full of anger, unsheathes his sword and smote the head of his innocent son in the presence of all the nobles. Mir Chakar also found others true to their words. Now it was time to test Shay Murid, which Chakar had been waiting for.
Chakar sent some minstrels to Shay Murid after offering prayers on Thursday morning as Chakar conspired to get Hani. He instructed the minstrels to ask for Hani from Murid as their reward after making him pleased with the songs of praise. And they did what they were instructed.
Shay Murid became completely shocked. He thought, Chakar would ask for his bow which was unique but Chakar didn’t. With a heavy heart and sadness, Shay Murid, true to his words, surrendered Hani to Chakar. The unexpected demand distressed him deeply, and Murid realized that he had lost Hani. He thought if he had not kept his promise, he would have been mocked at the exact time as well as in the future. After the annulment of Murid’s engagement with Hani, Hani was soon married to Mir Chakar.
But Murid was so shaken by this turn of actions that he abandoned his former lifestyle and passed the days and nights in worship of Allah. Shay Murid couldn’t bear to live in Sivi (Sibi now), the native town of theirs; he decided to leave his native place and followed a group of mendicant going to perform their pilgrimage (hajj) at the holy cities of Makka and Madina; and, remained there for a long span of time, during this period of his life; he truly became a mendicant.
After spending years away, he returned to Sibi in shabby clothes with his long hair hanging down to his shoulder. In the company of beggars, he passed himself off as an unknown mendicant begging for alms at the palace of Mir Chakar Rind. The maidservant gave bowls filled with grain to each mendicant, but when she presented this food to Murid, she noticed that his eyes were fixed upon Hani. Hani recognized him at once but held herself back as to not raise suspicions.
To recognize Shay Murid, the Rind nobles gathered for an archery competition. During the contest, the nobles noticed the interest of Murid, who was the leader of beggars. At first, the Rind nobles laughed at him because of his shabby clothes, asking that how a mendicant dressed in torn clothes could bend a bow and hit a target; however, they gave him a bow and arrow. He bent the bow but it could not bear the power of his arms and broke into pieces. They gave him another one which he also broke. After breaking the third bow the Rind nobles started realizing that he might be Shay Murid. They sent someone to fetch Murid’s bow, which was made out of steel and was called ‘jug’ (yoke) because of its form and weight.
When it was given to Shay Murid, he touched and kissed it gently. After examining it perfectly as a master archer, he bent the bow with great skills, and shot three arrows from it which hit the exact target. The Rind’s suspicion that the beggar was actually Shay Murid was confirmed after the experiment with the bow. The Rind nobles stopped Murid and sent a servant to ask Hani for Murid’s distinguishing signs or marks which she would know, for the reason that they had played together as children. Hani told of a mark which was behind his eyebrow. When the Rinds checked the sign, they, eventually, recognized Shay Murid.
Although Mir Chakar married Hani, he was unable to consummate the marriage. Later he realized that Hani could never truly be his. When he found out that Shay Murid had returned, he told Hani that Shay Murid was a great man and deserved her. Therefore, he divorced her and told her to go to Shay Murid. Hani decided to go to Murid, who was the first and only love of her. She told him Mir Chakar had realized his mistake and had freed her; therefore, they (Shay Murid& Hani) could be together. Although it is still not clear whether they married or not, many believe they married and the same night they disappeared. But to others, they didn’t marry as they believe Hani asked for marriage. But Shay Murid told her that he had now reached a different level and cannot step down from that level to take her.
Surely, Hani was the source by which he had reached closer to Allah. Murid was ready to leave her. On the following day Murid visited his father’s camel herd, chose a white she-camel, mounted her, and disappeared from humans’ eyes. Shay Murid has become the immortal saint of Baloch, and Baloch believe that until the living world Shay Murid remains everlasting.
Wedding songs and Folk Lores
Despite being part of tribal society, women of Balochistan have been expressing themselves through the medium of folk and wedding songs, said speakers at a one-day seminar on “Women and Literature in Balochistan.”
“Wedding songs and folk lores are a great literary creation of Baloch women,” the speakers said, adding that they had shown great courage in a purely male-dominated tribal society which did not allow women even to step out of their homes.
Eminent scholars and writers from the four provinces attended the seminar and presented their papers.
Progressive writer and critic Prof Abdullah Jamaldani said that there were lots of women who delved in literature in Balochistan but were living in total obscurity.
He said that Rabia Khuzdari was the first poetess of Balochistan who had given voice to the aspirations and suppressed feelings of Baloch women even in ancient times.
Prof Jamaldani said that Baloch women had taken up the pen in an effort to change their social condition.
He said: “Women want to raise their voice against the discriminatory attitude of tribal society, but as she is helpless she took to expressing her difficulties and the negative attitude of society through her poetry.”
He lauded the efforts of prominent scholar and educationist Abdul Ali Akhundzada who paved the way for literacy and enlightenment for the women of Balochistan by imparting education not only to the female members of his family but also to the entire village of Khanozai and other areas of Balochistan.
Fehmida Riaz, in her paper on “Female Baloch character Gohar,” said: “The history of Gohar, the famous Baloch character during Chakar Khan Rind’s period, shows that there was right of personal property even in that medieval period for the women of Balochistan.”
She said that this seminar is a step in the right direction for the women of Balochistan in quest of her rights.
She was of the view that deprived Baloch women should bring about a movement as it was once stirred by the dispute over Gohar’s camels.
Three different papers were presented on Rabia Khuzdari, the first Persian poetess of Balochistan, who was persecuted by her brother for falling in love and writing poetry. Ali Baba Taj, Ali Kumail Kazalbash and Doctor Inam-ul-Haq Kausar elaborated on the poetical works and poetry of Rabia, who was the contemporary of an ancient Persian poet, Rudki Samarkandi, known as the father of Persian poetry.
They spoke on the role of women and their problems expressed in Pashto, Balochi and Brahvi literature.
Farooq Sarwar, Khalil Bawar, Mrs Doctor Semi Naghmana Tahir, Mrs Zeenat Sana Baloch, Yousuf Gichki, Afzal Mengal and Beram Ghori were among those who presented their papers on women’s role in literature.Balochi Culture is full of Colours.
Ziarat
Ziarat is the capital of Ziarat District in Balochistan. It is a famous holiday resort - refreshingly cool in summer and snow-clad in winter. It is 8,850 ft above sea level, and is about 125 km from Quetta. Ziarat is also a handy base for exploring the surrounding gorges and balding hills of juniper.
The hills around are well-wooded and picturesque. Khilafat Hills are the highest peak with an altitude of 11.400 feet (3.475 m). Ziarat and the juniper valleys offer hiking and trekking. Various gorges also offer adventure during the summer. The valley is full of fruits and cherries in the summer, and apples in the winter.
The old British hill station of Ziarat was founded as a retreat from Quetta’s summer heat. It nestles in its valley, surrounded by ancient juniper forests at an altitude of 2,600m. With a residency, offices and even a sanatorium, it served as the administration’s summer capital, and now carries a slightly worn (though attractive) ‘end of empire’ feel.
Jiwani
Jiwani is a town and commercial port that is located along the Gulf of Oman in the Gwadar District of Balochistan. It is located near the Pakistani border with Iran, 34 km (21 miles) from the Iranian border. The town has a total population of 25,000 and is expected to become a major commercial center in concert with the development of the port of Gwadar located nearly 80 km (50 miles) to the east.
Jiwani is located at the eastern end of Gwadar Bay. The area around the bay includes an important mangrove forestextending across the international border to Iran, and is an important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, especially the endangered Olive Ridley and Green Turtles. Plans to grant fishing concessions and offshore drilling rights are potentially a threat to the wildlife of the area. The population largely depends upon fishing. There are a number of export oriented fish freezing plants located in Jiwani.
Jiwani holds strategic importance in the region, located immediately adjacent to the shipping lanes to and from the Persian Gulf. Hence, the town also hosts a small naval base and an airport with a 1,700-metre (5,500 ft) runway.
Jiwani was used during the World War II as an allied airfield and the remains of some airfields can still be seen. Another story linked to Jiwani is that Queen Victoria planned to visit the area to watch the "sunset" and a hut was built for her, which is now known as the "Victoria Hut". Whether Queen Victoria visited or not, the Victoria Hut is still maintained by the Pakistan Coast Guards up to the present day. Visiting the accommodation area of the airfield base used during World War II in Jiwani reveals many handwritten small stories and names of allied pilots. There is a water system, which is now abandoned, but is a marvel of civil works for meeting water requirements of the station. It used to store rain water in three stages in order to clean the water using its usual flow. The water was then pumped to the airfield, and also up to the Victoria Hut, which is nearly 5 km (3 mi) from the water tank system.Balochistan is Heaven.
Bolan Pass
The Bolān Pass is a mountain pass through the Toba Kakar Range of Balochistan province in western Pakistan, 120 km from the Afghanistan border. It connects Sibi with Quetta both by road and railway. The pass itself is made up of a number of narrow gorges and stretches 89 km (55 miles) from Rindli north to Darwāza near Kolpur in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.
History
In 1837, threatened by a possible Russian invasion of South Asia via the Khyber and Bolān Passes, a British envoy was sent to Kabul to gain support of the Emir, Dost Mohammed. In February 1839, the British Army under Sir John Keane took 12,000 men through the Bolān Pass and entered Kandahar, which the Afghan Princes had abandoned; from there they would go on to attack and overthrow Ghazni.
"The road through this pass leads, with few and rare exceptions, along what is the bed of a mountain-torrent, when filled by the melting of the snows or heavy rains, and is composed of loose shingly gravel, that recedes from under your feet, and is very difficult for draught: camels get on well. It is infested by the Kakurs, who live by robbery; and the hills sometimes close in upon the road, which is filled up by the bed of the stream, running through rocky chasms, upwards of a hundred feet high, from the top of which the robbers assail the travelers with stones; and were they as bold as they are cruel and perfidious, they might hold the place against all comers. Many spots were pointed out to me by the guides I had with me, as signalised by acts of violence, several European officers having lost their baggage during our occupation of the country. Should there be rain in the higher parts of the mountains, the stream at times comes down in an almost perpendicular volume, without warning, and sweeping all before it, as a friend of mine experienced, when he saw a party of men, horses, and camels, and all his property, borne down by it; when himself and some few men with him escaped by climbing up the nearly perpendicular side of the hill. About thirty-seven men were washed away upon that occasion."
In 1883, Sir Robert Groves Sandeman negotiated with the Khan of Kalat, Khudadad Khan, and secured British control over the pass in exchange for an annual fee.
Strategically located, traders, invaders, and nomadic tribes have also used it as a gateway to and from South Asia. The Bolān Pass is an important pass on the Baluch frontier, connecting Jacobabad and Sibi with Quetta, which has always occupied an important place in the history of British campaigns in Afghanistan.
Traditionally, the Brahui of the Baluchi ethnic group are in charge of the law and order situation through the Pass area. This tribe is still living in present day Balochistan in Pakistan, and they still preserve their Dravidian Language.
Bolān Pass Railway
There is an amazing view of a tunnel and bridge over a river on the railway track from Rohri to Quetta. The track passes through 20 tunnels and over 368 bridges. It is the longest Railway gradient of world, and most scenic Railway ride of Asia.
From Sibi the line runs south-west, skirting the hills to Rindli, and originally followed the course of the Bolān stream to its head on the plateau. The destructive action of floods, however, led to the abandonment of this alignment, and the railway now follows the Mashkaf valley (which debouches into the plains close to Sibi), and is carried from near the head of the Mashkaf to a junction with the Bolān at Machh. An alternative route from Sibi to Quetta was found in the Harnai valley to the N.E. of Sibi, the line starting in exactly the opposite direction to that of the Bolān and entering the hills at Nari. The Harnai route, although longer, is the one adopted for all ordinary traffic, the Bolān loop being reserved for emergencies. At the Khundilani gorge of the Bolān route conglomerate cliffs, which rise to a height of 800 ft., enclose the valley. At Siri Bolān the passage between the limestone rocks hardly admits of three persons riding abreast. The temperature of the pass in summer is very high, whereas in winter, near its head, the cold is extreme, and the ice-cold wind rushing down the narrow outlet becomes destructive to life. Since 1877, when the Quetta agency was founded, the pass was secured by the British Indian Army from militias of Baluch tribesmem (chiefly Marris) . Balochistan is Best.
History
In 1837, threatened by a possible Russian invasion of South Asia via the Khyber and Bolān Passes, a British envoy was sent to Kabul to gain support of the Emir, Dost Mohammed. In February 1839, the British Army under Sir John Keane took 12,000 men through the Bolān Pass and entered Kandahar, which the Afghan Princes had abandoned; from there they would go on to attack and overthrow Ghazni.
"The road through this pass leads, with few and rare exceptions, along what is the bed of a mountain-torrent, when filled by the melting of the snows or heavy rains, and is composed of loose shingly gravel, that recedes from under your feet, and is very difficult for draught: camels get on well. It is infested by the Kakurs, who live by robbery; and the hills sometimes close in upon the road, which is filled up by the bed of the stream, running through rocky chasms, upwards of a hundred feet high, from the top of which the robbers assail the travelers with stones; and were they as bold as they are cruel and perfidious, they might hold the place against all comers. Many spots were pointed out to me by the guides I had with me, as signalised by acts of violence, several European officers having lost their baggage during our occupation of the country. Should there be rain in the higher parts of the mountains, the stream at times comes down in an almost perpendicular volume, without warning, and sweeping all before it, as a friend of mine experienced, when he saw a party of men, horses, and camels, and all his property, borne down by it; when himself and some few men with him escaped by climbing up the nearly perpendicular side of the hill. About thirty-seven men were washed away upon that occasion."
In 1883, Sir Robert Groves Sandeman negotiated with the Khan of Kalat, Khudadad Khan, and secured British control over the pass in exchange for an annual fee.
Strategically located, traders, invaders, and nomadic tribes have also used it as a gateway to and from South Asia. The Bolān Pass is an important pass on the Baluch frontier, connecting Jacobabad and Sibi with Quetta, which has always occupied an important place in the history of British campaigns in Afghanistan.
Traditionally, the Brahui of the Baluchi ethnic group are in charge of the law and order situation through the Pass area. This tribe is still living in present day Balochistan in Pakistan, and they still preserve their Dravidian Language.
Bolān Pass Railway
There is an amazing view of a tunnel and bridge over a river on the railway track from Rohri to Quetta. The track passes through 20 tunnels and over 368 bridges. It is the longest Railway gradient of world, and most scenic Railway ride of Asia.
From Sibi the line runs south-west, skirting the hills to Rindli, and originally followed the course of the Bolān stream to its head on the plateau. The destructive action of floods, however, led to the abandonment of this alignment, and the railway now follows the Mashkaf valley (which debouches into the plains close to Sibi), and is carried from near the head of the Mashkaf to a junction with the Bolān at Machh. An alternative route from Sibi to Quetta was found in the Harnai valley to the N.E. of Sibi, the line starting in exactly the opposite direction to that of the Bolān and entering the hills at Nari. The Harnai route, although longer, is the one adopted for all ordinary traffic, the Bolān loop being reserved for emergencies. At the Khundilani gorge of the Bolān route conglomerate cliffs, which rise to a height of 800 ft., enclose the valley. At Siri Bolān the passage between the limestone rocks hardly admits of three persons riding abreast. The temperature of the pass in summer is very high, whereas in winter, near its head, the cold is extreme, and the ice-cold wind rushing down the narrow outlet becomes destructive to life. Since 1877, when the Quetta agency was founded, the pass was secured by the British Indian Army from militias of Baluch tribesmem (chiefly Marris) . Balochistan is Best.
Balochistan
Balochistan is the largest province by area of Pakistan with approximately 44% of the country's total land mass and home to less than 5% of the country's population. Balochistan is bordered by Afghanistan to the north and northwest, Iran to the southwest, the Arabian Sea to the south, Punjab and Sindh to the east, and KPK/FATA to the northeast. Quetta is the capital and largest city of Balochistan.
Balochistan can be divided in to four distinct zones: Upper high lands, lower high lands, plains, and deserts. The upper highlands, known locally as Khorasan, rise as high as 3,700 m with valley floors about 1,500 meters above sea levels. The highlands include Makran, Kharan, Chaghi, Sulaiman, Pab, and Kirthar ranges. The Lower High Lands have an altitude ranging from 1,970 to 3,940 ft (600 to 1200 m).
Balochistan has relatively small area of plains, including the Kachi Plain, Lasbela and of river Dasht. Mountains dominate the terrain and valley floors, and piedmont plains make up only 15% of the landscape.Balochistan is Heaven
Hingol National Park
Hingol National Park or Hungol National Park (Urdu: ہنگول ) covers about 1,650 km². and is the largest of National Parks of Pakistan and lies on the Makran coast inBalochistan and approximately 190 km from Karachi. It winds through the Hungol valley between high cliffs. . The area was for the first time declared reserved in 1988 . Parts of three districts of Balochistan, namely; Lasbela, Gwadar and Awaran are covered in this Park. This national park contains a variety of topographical features and vegetation, varying from arid sub tropical forest in the north to arid montane in the west. Large tracts of the Hingol National Park are covered with drift sand and can be classified as coastal semi desert. The National Park includes the estuary of the Hingol river which supports a significant diversity of bird and fish species . According to independent reports, 20 staff members including 18 game watchers, two deputy rangers are currently responsible for the management of the Park under the guidance of the park Manager who reports to the Conservator and the Secretary Wildlife, Forest, Livestock, Environment and Tourism. Hingol National Park is known to support at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of amphibians and reptiles and 185 species of birds. Some 250 plant species were recorded in the initial surveys including 7 yet undescribed species. Many more species are yet to be collected. The park forms an excellent habitat to wild Sindh Ibex, Afghan Urial and Chinkara Gazelle. Ibex is found in all steep mountain ranges and numerous in the Hinglaj and Rodani Kacho Mountain areas. Total population is estimated over 3000.Balochistan is Heaven.
Princess of Hope
The Princess of Hope is a statue, founded in Hingol National Park lies on the Makran coast in Balochistan and approximately 190 km from Karachi. The name Princess of Hope was given by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie on her visit to this area.
She stood there, namelessly, for God knows since when – right there in the wilderness along the coast of the Arabian Sea, wearing a royal robe and a hood. The wind whistled around her, teased her but she could not stop the winds as the fast blowing winds swept past her and blew dust around her. No one visited her and she felt extremely lonely. Her only companion in he area was a huge Sphinx of Giza, Egypt like feature who shared her loneliness.
Then one day she saw huge creatures, yellow in colour with black round objects making them move and cutting a way through the mountains. Then a black limning was put on the areas that were cut and leveled by the strange creatures that she hadn’t seen before. And then she saw people started to move in smaller creatures with speed on the black carpet spread near her. She saw one of the people stopping and looking at her with awe and wonder in his eyes. She was happy that she was finally found. More and more people started to visit her, staring at her and taking her photographs.
Balochistan is the best porvince of Pakistan.
Baloch's Lifestyle
The Baloch or Baluch (Balochi: بلوچ) are a people who live mainly in the Balochistan region of the southeastern-most edge of the Iranian plateau in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, as well as in the Arabian Peninsula.
They mainly speak the Balochi language, a branch of Northwestern Iranian languages, and are an Iranic people. About 50% of the total Baloch population live in Balochistan, a western province of Pakistan;[8] 40% of Baloch are settled in Sindh; and a significant number of Baloch people in Punjab of Pakistan. They make up nearly 3.6% of the Pakistani population, about 2% of Iran's population (1.5 million) and about 2% of Afghanistan's population.[9]
Baloch people co-inhabit desert and mountainous regions along with Pashtuns. Baloch people practice Islam, are predominantly Sunni, and use Urdu as the lingua franca to communicate with other ethnic groups such as Pashtuns and Sindhis, as is the norm for Pakistan.
Area wise Balochistan is the largest province of our country. 48% of Pakistan area wise consists on Balochistan.The tribal culture is ruling in different areas of Balochistan.The climate of the upper area of Balochistan is characterised by very cold winters and hot summers. In the lower area, winters vary from very cold in northern areas Ziarat, Quetta, Kalat, Muslim Bagh and Khanozai to less colder conditions closer to the Makran coast. Winters are normal cool on the plains, where temperature never falling below freezing point. Summers are hot and dry, especially in the areas of Chagai and Kharan districts. The plains are also very hot in summer, with temperatures reaching 50 °C (122 °F).The record highest temperature, 53 °C (127 °F), was recorded in Sibi on 26 May 2010,exceeding the previous record, 52 °C (126 °F). Other hot areas includes, Turbat, and Dalbandin. The desert climate is characterised by hot and very tough conditions. Occasionally strong windstorms make these areas very difficult to live.
Balochistan is considered to be a neglected province where a majority of population lacks basic necessities of life, but the ruling people of the province has an entirely different story.Many members of the club have pieces of land greater in size than some small towns of the country, using precious vehicles rarely seen even in big cities and having more glamorous lifestyle than even royal families of the Arab world.The nature of the people of Balochistan is to love and to give warmth welcome and a great hospitality to their guests. Religion Islam has bound all the people of Balochistan in a very strong bond.They are loveable in spite of being “Conservative”. The people of Balochistan are living very simple life which makes them different from the people of other provinces of Pakistan. The people in Balochistan use to live in the form of groups and tribes. There are many tribes in the province which belongs to the different cities of this province, but the most commonly known and most powerful tribes are: (a) Baloch, (b) Pashtun, and (c) Brahvi.
Baloch:
The people from the tribe Bloch are basically Balochi speaking people and this tribe includes Rind, Lashar, Marri, Jamot, Ahmedzai, Bugti domki, Magsi, Khosa, Rakhshani, Dashti Umrani, Nosherwani, Gichki, Buledi, Sanjrani and Khudai.These all are the sub divided branches of a tribe Bloch. The head or leader of each tribe is called the “Sardar”, whereas the sub divided branches or sub divided tribes also have a head which is called “Malik” or “Takari” or “Mir”. The people of Balochistan believe that the people who become the Sardar and Malik of a tribe are the members of district and other local Jirgas. Baloch people use to believe that people of Baluch tribe who has originally came from Arabia or Asia Minor should be divided in two sub tribes as Sulemani and Mekrani.Pashtun:
The second largest tribe of Balochistan is the Pashtun tribe which is also a respectable tribe of this province and belongs to different cities of Balochistan.The Pashtun tribe is the group of Pashto speaking people which have the following sub tribes include Kakar, Ghilzai Tareen, Mandokhel, Sherani, Luni, Kasi and Achakzai.
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Brahui:
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The Brahui tribe is also further divided in sub tribes which include: Raisani, shahwani, Sumalani, Bangulzai, Mohammad Shahi, Lehri, Bizenjo, Muhammad Hasni, Zarakzai (which is also known as Zehri), Mengal and Lango.
Language of Balochistan People:
The people of Balochistan are much different in their culture and their spoken languages is also a part of their culture. The people, who live in the urban areas of the province, are able to understand and speak more than two languages whereas the people who are living in the rural areas, they found it difficult to understand the language other than their mother language. Balochi, pashto and Brahui are three major and common languages of people of Balochistan, except of these three languages, people of Balochistan speaks Urdu as it is a national language of Pakistan.In the areas of Kachhi and Sibbi the people use to speak Sindhi and Seraiki language. There are also many people who know the Punjabi, Darri and Persian and have adopted one of them as their language.
Dressing of Baloch People:
The people of Balochistan wears a pleasing and attractive dresses and it is almost same in all the tribes of Balochistan, the difference is very less and can be seen only after a deep analysis.Turban is the common headwear of the men of Balochistan. They usually wear loose salwar along with knee-long shirts. The dressing of the females in Balochistan is consists of the typical shirt having a big pocket in front. The shirt normally has embroidery work with embedded small round mirror pieces. Big ‘Dopatta’ or ‘Chaddar’, a long rectangular piece of cloth falling down the shoulders and used to cover head, are used by the women.
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Balochi Famous Food:
Balochi dry fruits are very famous all over the world.Their special item Sajji is liked and loved by many people in the world.They also eat roasted lamb and mutton.Dum Pukht is also a famous Balochi dish which is prepared by meat and it is cooked in fats.The food ingredients that are mostly known in Balochi cuisine include: potatoes, goat cheese, dry fruits and vegetables, milk and yogurt, mutton, and fish. Fresh vegetables are almost entirely absent from this cuisine. 90% of Balouchi cuisine consists of meat-based dishes.
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Baloch Festivals:
Sibi festival that traces its roots to Mehrgarh, an archeological site of ancient human civilization, attracts people from all over the country. It is attended by common people, ministers and other government officials. Folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other amusing activities present a perfect view of color. Buzkashi is a special festival showing culture of Balochistan people. It is celebrated on horseback by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.Balochi Wedding:
In Balochistan, marriages take place in the presence of a Mullah which is a religious teacher of those people and in the presence of some witnesses. All the family members take part in the marriage and they express their joy and happiness by performing in the wedding ceremony according to their culture. Except a negligible ratio of love marriages, all marriages are arranged. Divorce rate is very low in the Balochistan as compared to the other provinces of Pakistan. A lot of marriage ceremonies are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes, the takings of “Valver”, a sum of money paid by the groom to his to be wife’s family, also exist.
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