The Baloch Presence In Afghanistan: A Historical Overview

The Baloch are a nomadic, pastoral, ethnic group native to the Balochistan region of South and Western Asia, which includes parts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. They are believed to have originated from the area between the Caspian Sea and Lake Van in present-day Turkey and Azerbaijan and first settled in Balochistan between the 5th and 7th centuries. The Baloch population in Afghanistan is estimated to be around 2 million, with about 600,000 being native Afghan Baloch and the rest being made up of Pakistani Baloch refugees fleeing persecution in their home country. The Baloch in Afghanistan are primarily concentrated in the Nimroz province, which borders Iran and Pakistan, and they make up the largest ethnic group in the region. However, they are a minority group in Afghanistan as a whole, comprising only around 2% of the country's population.

Baloch population in Afghanistan

The Baloch are a nomadic, pastoral, ethnic group native to the Balochistan region of South and Western Asia, which includes parts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. They are believed to have originated in the area between the Caspian Sea and Lake Van in present-day Turkey and Azerbaijan and first settled in Balochistan between the 5th and 7th centuries.

The Baloch population in Afghanistan is estimated to be around two million, according to Professor Abdul Sattar Purdely, a prominent Baloch intellectual in the country. However, official census data is lacking, and the exact number of Baloch in Afghanistan is difficult to ascertain. They primarily reside in the southern and southwestern regions of Afghanistan, with a significant presence in the provinces of Helmand, Nimroz, Farah, and Kandahar.

The Baloch speak the Western Iranic Baloch language and have a rich cultural heritage. They are known for their honour code, which defines principles of integrity, hospitality, mercy, and honour. While the majority of Baloch are Sunni Muslims, there is also a small minority of Christians and Hindus among them.

In Afghanistan, the Baloch have faced neglect and marginalization, inhabiting some of the most underdeveloped regions of the country. They have also experienced interference and pressure from neighbouring countries, particularly Iran, which has sought to quell Baloch initiatives and cultural expressions in Afghanistan. Despite these challenges, the Baloch have retained a strong sense of cultural identity and nationalism.

Efforts to promote Baloch language and culture in Afghanistan have gained some momentum. Professor Purdely, for instance, has authored school textbooks in the Balochi language for students up to the 8th grade, which are currently being used in three schools in Nimroz province. Additionally, there is a daily one-hour television program in the Balochi language broadcast by Zaranj's National Radio and Television.

The Baloch population in Afghanistan faces various challenges, including drought, which has forced many families to leave their native lands. They also face obstacles in accessing education and other opportunities due to their dispersed and marginalized status in the country. Nonetheless, the Baloch remain a resilient community, striving to preserve their language, culture, and traditions in the face of adversity.

Baloch language and culture

The Baloch people are Iranian individuals who primarily live in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. They also have communities in neighbouring countries such as India and a large diaspora in the Arabian Peninsula. They speak Balochi, a Northwestern Iranian language, and have a rich culture that includes literature, folk music, drama, cinema, arts, crafts, and traditional values of mutual respect.

Language

Balochi is an Indo-European language, specifically belonging to the Western Iranian subgroup of the Indo-Iranian branch. It is spoken by about 8.8 million people as a first or second language in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, India, and Baloch diaspora communities worldwide. While Balochi is primarily a spoken language, with most Baloch speakers being literate in Urdu or Persian rather than Balochi, efforts have been made to standardise the Balochi script. The Balochi Academy Sarbaz has designed a standard alphabet for the language, which is an extension of the Perso-Arabic script with some glyphs borrowed from Urdu.

Culture

Baloch culture is defined by its religious values, language, literature, and traditional values of mutual respect. It has roots in various languages, including Balochi, Brahui, Sindhi, and Pashto, and is known for its strong traditions, arts, and crafts. Baloch embroidery, done by women, is one of the most popular art forms in the culture.

Balochistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Poets and storytellers are highly respected, and the region has a rich tradition of storytelling. Folk music, drama, cinema play a significant role in Baloch culture, with Quetta, the provincial capital, known for its historical monuments. Balochistan celebrates its culture day every year on March 2, with people from different villages gathering to organise cultural programs such as folk music, dance, craft exhibitions, and other activities.

Baloch people are known for their unique dressing style, with men typically wearing a turban, a long loose shirt, baggy trousers, and a knee-length shirt, while women wear a shirt with a large pocket and embroidery, along with a big dupatta/chaddar to cover their head and shoulders.

Baloch cuisine is also notable, with "Dalag" being considered a core element of their culture and identity. "Sajji", a dish made of meat cooked over a fire, is a favourite among the Baloch people and is often served to honoured guests.

In terms of social structure, the Baloch tribe has a head known as a "sardar", while the subdivided tribes have heads called "Malik", "Takari", or "Mir". These tribe heads are members of district and local jirgas, or tribal courts. Baloch marriages are unique and follow Islamic principles, with the presence of a Mullana and witnesses. They usually take place within tribes and at a young age, with a very low ratio of love marriages. Divorce rates are relatively low compared to other provinces due to cultural perceptions of disrespect and dishonour.

Overall, Baloch culture is a vibrant and diverse aspect of the Baloch people's identity, reflecting their history, values, and way of life.

Baloch in Afghanistan's politics

The Baloch people are a semi-nomadic tribal group native to the Balochistan region of South and Western Asia, which encompasses parts of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The Baloch are a minority group in Afghanistan, comprising around 2% of the country's population, or approximately 600,000 people, of which 400,000 are Balochi speakers and 200,000 are Brahui speakers. The Baloch in Afghanistan are primarily located in the southern provinces of Nimroz, Helmand, Farah, and Kandahar, where they make up the majority in Nimroz.

Historically, the Baloch have been a marginalized and persecuted group in Afghanistan, with their land divided by arbitrary boundaries imposed by foreign powers. Despite the wealth of natural resources in the region, the Baloch inhabit some of the most underdeveloped areas of the country. They have also faced religious, linguistic, and ethnic persecution, particularly from extremist groups such as the Taliban, who have called for the ethnic cleansing of the Baloch people.

Despite these challenges, the Baloch have retained a strong cultural identity and have been advocating for the preservation and promotion of their language and culture in Afghanistan. Abdul Sattar Purdely, a former MP and prominent Baloch advocate, has written school textbooks in the Balochi language that are now being used in several schools in the country. Additionally, there is a daily television program in the Balochi language broadcast from Zaranj, the provincial capital of Nimroz.

The Baloch have also been active in Afghan politics, with several Baloch individuals holding prominent positions in the government. For example, Naim Baloch is the governor of Helmand province, and Abdul Karim Brahui, a former governor of Nimroz province, served as the President's Advisor for Afghan Nations. Brahui is also the head of the Afghanistan Baloch Solidarity Council, an organization working to promote the rights of the Baloch community in Afghanistan.

However, the Baloch in Afghanistan continue to face challenges and threats to their safety and well-being. There have been reports of interference and pressure from neighbouring countries, such as Pakistan and Iran, which have allegedly tried to bribe or threaten Afghan Baloch leaders. Additionally, the Baloch have been targeted by extremist groups, with reports of killings and disappearances of Baloch activists and militants.

Overall, while the Baloch have made strides in promoting their culture and language in Afghanistan and have had some representation in the government, they continue to face marginalization, persecution, and violence, highlighting the need for greater recognition and protection of their rights as a minority group in the country.

Baloch refugees in Afghanistan

Balochistan in Pakistan is home to a large number of Afghan refugees, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimating around 300,000 displaced people in refugee camps in the region. The province has a history of accommodating those fleeing conflict, including Baloch separatists from Pakistan, who have long sought refuge in Afghanistan. However, the recent Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has led to a reversal of fortunes, with Baloch refugees now facing persecution and an uncertain future.

For decades, Afghanistan served as a safe haven for Baloch separatists from Pakistan, who found themselves at odds with Islamabad. The killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a Baloch politician, in 2006, triggered an exodus of Baloch activists into Afghanistan, following in the footsteps of those who had escaped during the 1970s insurgency. This made them the largest exiled community in Afghanistan, with a population of about 200,000, mainly in the southern province of Nimroz and nearby parts of Helmand, Kandahar, and Farah.

However, the Taliban's return to power in 2021 has disrupted this dynamic. Baloch refugees in Afghanistan now live in fear of persecution, with reports of attacks and arrests by the Taliban and Pakistani authorities. The killing of Abdul Razzaq Baloch, a refugee who fled Pakistan in 2004, is emblematic of the dangers faced by this community. Baloch exiles have historically faced threats, but the Taliban's rule has emboldened their pursuers, with Pakistan allegedly "freely chasing Baloch refugees with the help of the Taliban."

The situation has become so dire that many Baloch refugees are considering a second exodus, this time potentially back to Pakistan, despite the province's struggles with food insecurity, poverty, and unemployment. The "Iranian Model" of refugee management has been proposed as a potential solution, which involves issuing refugee identity cards that grant access to employment, education, and healthcare. However, the future remains uncertain for Baloch refugees caught between the hostile forces of their home country and their country of refuge.

The plight of Baloch refugees in Afghanistan underscores the complex dynamics of the region, where political and ethnic tensions often intersect with devastating consequences for those seeking safety and stability.

Baloch tribes

The Baloch people are a nomadic, pastoral ethnic group native to the Balochistan region of South and Western Asia, which includes parts of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Baloch are believed to have originally come from Arabia or Asia Minor, and their language, Balochi, is an Iranian language. The Baloch are divided into two main branches: the Sulemani and Mekrani, who are distinct from the Brahvis, mostly concentrating in central Balochistan.

The Baloch are made up of many tribes, known as "taman", each led by a tribal chief, or "tumandar". Subtribes, or "paras", are led by a "muqaddam". The exact number of Baloch tribes varies depending on how subtribes are counted, but there are thought to be over 130, with some estimates putting the figure at over 150. Five Baloch tribes derive their names from the children of Jalal Khan, the ruler and founder of the first Balochi confederacy in the 12th century. Many Baloch tribes can be categorized as either Rind or Lashari, based on their actual descent or historical tribal allegiances. This basic division was accentuated by a 30-year war between the Rind and Lashari tribes in the 15th century.

The Baloch social organization is based on blood kinship, with different groups of people mostly descending from a common ancestor. Members of each group share common interests and liabilities. This has made clan organization the basis of Baloch society. Every sub-clan, or "paro", represents a family, and a few sub-clans together constitute a clan. Several clans grouped together make a tribe. The social tie among the members of one tribe implies unconditional sincerity to the members of the clan fellow. The chief of a paro (sub-clan or family) is usually its eldest member and is known as "Wadera". The chief of a clan, or "Muqaddam" or "Tukkri", is either nominated by the Sardar (tribal chief) or elected by the Waderas. However, this is usually a hereditary institution, and election or nomination is made from among the descendants of the former Mugaddam or Tukkri.

The following is a list of notable Baloch tribes:

• Rind
• Lashari
• Marri
• Bugti
• Jamot
• Ahmedzai
• Domki
• Magsi
• Kenazai
• Khosa
• Rakhashani
• Dashti
• Umrani
• Nosherwani
• Gichki
• Buledi
• Notazai
• Sanjarani
• Meerwani
• Zahrozai
• Langove
• Kenazai
• Khidai
• Brahvi
• Raisani
• Shahwani
• Sumulani
• Sarparrah
• Bangulzai
• Mohammad Shahi
• Lehri
• Bezenjo
• Mohammad Hasni
• Zehri
• Sarparrah
• Mengal
• Kurd
• Sasoli
• Satakzai
• Lango
• Rodeni
• Kalmati
• Jattak
• Yagazehi
• Qambarani

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