Baloch Culture Day is celebrated annually on March 2nd, highlighting its traditional significance in the provincial state. The celebration includes folk music, dance, craft exhibitions, and other activities. Baloch people mark the occasion by wearing traditional dresses and Balochi turbans.
The Baloch people are renowned for their courage. Their enduring contributions exemplify their resilience and capabilities. Throughout history, the Baloch have bravely participated in numerous conflicts but emerged victorious.
Interesting Facts
The Baloch, also spelled Baluch, are a group of clans that speak the Balochi language, totaling about five million residents in the region of Balochistan in Pakistan, as well as in neighboring areas of Afghanistan and Iran.
Despite its sparse population, Balochistan boasts unique racial and group diversity. Many people in cities and villages understand and speak more than two languages. In addition to Balochi, Pashto, and Brahvi, most of the population is literate and conversant in Urdu, the national language. In districts like Kachhi and Sibi, residents speak Seraiki and Sindhi. Quetta city, the hub for all linguistic groups, accommodates speakers of Urdu, Balochi, Pashto, Brahvi, Sindhi, Darri, and Persian. The Dewar tribe in Sarwan sub-division, Kalat, also speaks a language derived from Persian.
The Brahvi, Baloch, and Pashtun tribes are renowned for their generosity and hospitality. Visitors and guests are highly respected and considered a blessing from God. Wealthy individuals even slaughter sheep or goats for their guests. In some cases, where there are many households, a visitor or a guest is considered the guest of the entire village. This kindness is a prominent feature of tribal people; however, it is not quite prevalent in the urban setting.
Another charming aspect of Balochistan’s culture is the loyalty and sincerity evident in all relationships. There is no place for unfaithful individuals in the widespread moral social order. If loyalty is met with disloyalty or deception, it is never forgotten.
Prominent Baloch dishes, such as lamb-skewered Sajji, have gained immense popularity in various parts of Pakistan, including the food hubs of Karachi and Lahore. Kaak, a rock-hard prepared bread, is often served with Sajji. Similarly, dampukht is another Balochi dish made with meat and prepared in fats.
Mehrgarh, located in Balochistan (7000-2000 BC), is the oldest neolithic human settlement in Pakistan. The site was discovered by French archaeologist Jean Jarrige. The population of Mehrgarh city peaked at 25,000 inhabitants and was occupied until 2600-2000 BC.
A popular sport among the people of Balochistan is Bazuki, also the national sport of Afghanistan, played by Pashtuns. In this game, two teams of players on horseback compete to snatch a goat carcass from the opposing team.
Notable personalities from Balochistan include Humaima Malik (actress), Raheel Sharif (former COAS of the Pakistan Army), Zaffarullah Khan Jamali (Ex-PM of Pakistan), Wajahat Saeed Khan (Journalist), Ayub Khuso (Actor), Hashim Nadeem (Writer), General Musa Khan (led the Pak Army during the 1965 war), and Iftikhar Chaudari (Ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan), among others.
