The Baloch people live in the southernmost region of the Iranian plateau in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. 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. The total population of ethnic Baloch people is estimated to be around 15 million people worldwide. As of 2012, the Baloch represented 7.11% of Pakistan's 177 million people. As of 2008, an estimated 8 to 9 million Baloch people were living in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. They are subdivided among over 130 tribes.
The Baloch live according to tribal customs. They are separated into a number of different tribes, including the Bugti, Marri, Zehri, Hooth, and Megal. Baloch men wear long shirts with long sleeves and loose pants. They sometimes wear turbans on their heads. 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.
They are predominantly Sunni Muslims but some are Shia Muslim. Balochi customs and traditions are conducted according to codes imposed by their tribal laws.
Pray that the 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 among the various tribes of the Baloch people.
Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Sangur in Pakistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people
Profile Source: Anonymous |
People Name General | Baloch Sangur |
People Name in Country | Baloch Sangur |
Natural Name | Sangur Baloch |
Alternate Names | बलोच, संगूर |
Population this Country | 151,000 |
Population all Countries | 151,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
People ID | 20262 |
ROP3 Code | 115999 |
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 | 2 | |||
Largest States |
|
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 |
Balochistan 136,000 | |
Sindh 15,000 | |
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 | Balochi, Southern (119,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | bcc Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 7 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Balochi, Southern (119,000 speakers) |
Language Code | bcc Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 7 |
Secondary Languages | |
Sindhi 9,800 | |
Balochi, Eastern 9,400 | |
Balochi, Western 3,200 | |
Urdu 2,800 | |
Dari 1,200 | |
Saraiki 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Balochi, Southern |
Primary Language: Balochi, Southern
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1992-1994) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1999-2001) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |