Lashari Baloch in Pakistan

The Lashari Baloch have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

They speak the Balochi language. It is believed that the name "Baloch" is derived from the name of the Babylonian king and god Belus. Some believe the word is a derivation of Sanskrit words "Bal" meaning strength and "Och" meaning high or magnificent.
The Baloch claim their origins to be in Aleppo in what is now Syria. They are descendants of Hazrat Ameer Hamza, the uncle of Islamic prophet Muhammad. Based on an analysis of the linguistic connections of the Balochi language, the original homeland of the Balochi tribes was likely the east or southeast area of the central Caspian region.
The Baloch generally live in remote mountainous and desert regions, which provides protection from invasions. They 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 are subdivided among over 130 tribes including the Bugti, Marri, Zehri, Hooth, Megal and Lashari.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Lashari Baloch live according to tribal customs. Baloch men wear long shirts with long sleeves and loose pants. They sometimes wear turbans. The Baloch living in Iran observe a more conservative dress code; some women cover their faces with thick red wools and wear a head scarf and long veil. Gold ornaments such as necklaces and bracelets are an important aspect of Baloch women's traditions. They usually wear a gold brooch that is used to fasten two parts of the dress together over the chest.
They pass traditions to children through oral history retelling. The tradition of a Baloch mother singing lullabies to her children has played an important role in the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation for many centuries.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Lashari Baloch are predominantly Sunni Muslims, but some are Shia Muslim. Balochi customs and traditions are conducted according to codes imposed by their tribal laws.


What Are Their Needs?

Few Baloch people ever get the chance to hear the life-saving gospel. They live in a part of the world where Christians are non-existent, and the Baloch peoples are all solidly Muslim. How will they hear?


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lashari Baloch may be open to the message of the gospel.
Pray that God will provide workers who speak the Balochi language to work with the Baloch peoples.
Pray that God will supply unity and peace among the various tribes of the Baloch people.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Lashari in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Baloch Lashari
People Name in Country Baloch Lashari
Natural Name Lashari Baloch
Pronunciation lah-SHAR-ee bah-LOACH
Alternate Names Lishari; बलोच, लशारी
Population this Country 211,000
Population all Countries 211,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
People ID 20253
ROP3 Code 100896
ROP25 Code 300774
ROP25 Name Baloch
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Punjab
165,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
42,000
Sindh
4,000
Balochistan
300
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Punjab 165,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 42,000
  Sindh 4,000
  Balochistan 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Balochi, Eastern (143,000 speakers)
Language Code bgp   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Saraiki
41,000
Urdu
9,500
Punjabi, Western
9,400
Pashto, Central
6,200
Sindhi
1,500
Hindko, Southern
300
Balochi, Southern
300
Primary Language Balochi, Eastern (143,000 speakers)
Language Code bgp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Saraiki 41,000
  Urdu 9,500
  Punjabi, Western 9,400
  Pashto, Central 6,200
  Sindhi 1,500
  Hindko, Southern 300
  Balochi, Southern 300
People Groups Speaking Balochi, Eastern
Photo Source Osama Balouch - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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