Brahui Nighari in Pakistan

The Brahui Nighari have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Brahui rose to power by overthrowing a dynasty of Hindu kings in the 1600s. Under Nasir Khan in the 1700s, the confederacy reached its peak. Today, the Brahui are made up of 29 tribes, one of which is the Nighari.

Brahui can be distinguished from their Pushtun and Baluchi neighbors by their Dravidian language, called Brahui. Linguists have not been able to discover the link between the Brahui and other speakers of Dravidian languages who live 1000 miles away in southern India. Their language, Brahui, has three main dialects. In today's world, they often borrow words from their more powerful neighbors, the Baloch and the Sindhis.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For years, most Nighari Brahui were nomadic shepherds who traveled between the highlands and the lowlands in search of proper temperatures, rainfall and pasture for their flocks. During the cold and icy winter months, the Brahui lived in the plains. They return to the hills only after the lambs are born in February or March.

The number of Nighari Brahui nomads has consistently declined over the past hundred years, and today there are many fully settled villages dependent on underground water irrigation to raise the numerous cash crops. There are a number of towns that serve as administrative and commercial centers, although relatively few Brahui live in town year round.

Nighari Brahui shepherds have organized themselves into groups of cooperating households known as khalks. Each khalk combines its herds into one flock under the care of a professional resident shepherd. The resident shepherd controls up to 500 sheep. This procedure benefits the Brahui economically because it allows the men and their adult sons to work on local village farms in exchange for wheat. Having one resident shepherd also enables the men to take their herds to market for sale and to exchange information with other Brahui about the locations of various camps and flocks.

Through the use of khalks, Nighari Brahui have become expert shepherds. They have learned the optimum number of sheep that can be grazed together. They also have discovered that sheep are not happy in very small groups, and that they spread and wander under such conditions. When the herds increase to more than 500 animals, leaders "multiply" the group, shifting the tents to form a new khalk.

Families arrange their marriages. Fathers prefer their sons to marry a cousin on the father's side, although, occasionally, families will consider the wishes of the couple. Men may take multiple wives, but the expenses incurred tend to limit this practice. Divorce is rare among the Nighari Brahui. The ideal family consists of married sons who live with their parents. After the father's death, brothers continue to live together with a united family estate under the leadership of the eldest son.

The tribe is the basic political unit of the Brahui. Tribes base their membership on patrilineal descent (common male ancestors) and political allegiance.

They celebrate cultural events and festivals with traditional music, dance, and storytelling, preserving their rich heritage. Despite modern influences, the Nighari Brahui people remain deeply connected to their ancestral ways of life.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Nighari Brahui people predominantly follow Sunni Islam, incorporating religious practices into their daily lives. They observe the five pillars of Islam, including daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and participation in communal prayers. Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are significant occasions, marked by communal celebrations and feasting.

In addition to their Islamic faith, they retain some traditional beliefs and practices, particularly those related to nature and ancestral spirits. These practices include rituals aimed at ensuring good fortune and protection, reflecting a blend of religious and cultural influences.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nighari Brahui people face several challenges due to their remote location and limited access to resources. Education remains a significant concern, with many children lacking access to quality schools and learning materials. Efforts to provide better educational facilities and opportunities for both boys and girls are crucial for their development.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Nighari Brahui people to have their educational and medical needs met.
Pray for their family leaders to have dreams of the risen Christ, leading them on the path to salvation and hope.
Pray for Nighari Brahui disciples who will make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahui Nighari in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahui_people
https://factsanddetails.com/south-asia/Pakistan/Ethnic_Groups_and_Minorities/entry-8088.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Brahui Nighari
People Name in Country Brahui Nighari
Alternate Names
Population this Country 35,000
Population all Countries 35,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 22067
ROP3 Code 119080
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 2
Largest States
Sindh
22,000
Balochistan
13,000
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 2
  Sindh 22,000
  Balochistan 13,000
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 Brahui (28,000 speakers)
Language Code brh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Sindhi
2,400
Balochi, Southern
1,400
Balochi, Eastern
1,400
Balochi, Western
800
Pashto, Central
60
Primary Language Brahui (28,000 speakers)
Language Code brh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Sindhi 2,400
  Balochi, Southern 1,400
  Balochi, Eastern 1,400
  Balochi, Western 800
  Pashto, Central 60
People Groups Speaking Brahui
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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