#balochi

𝔟𝔞𝔩𝔬𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔫: 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔟𝔞𝔩𝔬𝔠𝔥 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔩𝔞𝔫𝔡 🐪🏜🪘

The Kurds and Baluchis have both been fighting for statehood for generations, while targeted by oppressive regimes.

Most Baluchis and Kurds are Muslim, but the so-called Islamic State of Iran overwhelmingly targets both minority groups. Iranian Kurds and Baluchis are working together to challenge the regime.

Over in Pakistan, the government is conducting "forced disappearances" in Balochistan. Protests against this ethnic cleansing are led by women like Dr Mahrang Baloch.

Some estimates suggest that there are between 100 to 200 Dravidian loanwords in Balochi:

Akni - Rice (from the Dravidian word "akkan")

Bhat - Rice (from the Dravidian word "paddi")

Bar - Big (from the Dravidian word "peru")

Chamak - Shine (from the Dravidian word "chamakka")

Cheez - Thing (from the Dravidian word "sizha")

Danka - Bell (from the Dravidian word "tanka")

Daraz - Long (from the Dravidian word "tarai")

Dasht - Desert (from the Dravidian word "takkam")

Dhoro - Stream (from the Dravidian word "dorai")

Dosi - Friend (from the Dravidian word "tozi")

Dunya - World (from the Dravidian word "taniya")

Ghan - Garden (from the Dravidian word "kanne")

Ghash - Grass (from the Dravidian word "kacca") 

Ghom - Bend (from the Dravidian word "kombu")

Gich - Thicket (from the Dravidian word "kitchi")  

Gida - Cow (from the Dravidian word "kudai") 

Gosht - Meat (from the Dravidian word "kozhi")

Gwadar - Port (from the Dravidian word "katara")

Kach - River (from the Dravidian word "kacca")

Kachkool - Beggar (from the Dravidian word "kaccha") 

Kaj - Glass (from the Dravidian word "kaccha")  

Kandah - Blind (from the Dravidian word "kandu") 

Kanjar - Itinerant tribe (from the Dravidian word "kanchari") 

Kapar - Cloth (from the Dravidian word "kappar") 

Karkhan - Workshop (from the Dravidian word "karkhana") 

Kharboza - Melon (from the Dravidian word "karbu")

Kuch - Key (from the Dravidian word "kuchi")

Kufri - Potato (from the Dravidian word "kukkiri")

Kup - Pot (from the Dravidian word "kuppi")

Kurr - Pot (from the Dravidian word "kudam")

Laddu - Sweet (from the Dravidian word "laddu")

Lar - Stream (from the Dravidian word "alaru") 

Las - Leaf (from the Dravidian word "ilai")

Mach - Fish (from the Dravidian word "matsya")

Makaan - House (from the Dravidian word "makkan") 

Makan - Mat (from the Dravidian word "mattai") 

Makkol - Ant (from the Dravidian word "makkoli") 

Manj - Cot (from the Dravidian word "manjai") 

Menj - Bed (from the Dravidian word "menju")

Mitha - Sweet (from the Dravidian word "mitai")

Moch - Goat (from the Dravidian word "mokka")

Munda - Boy (from the Dravidian word "munda") 

Naga - Naked (from the Dravidian word "naga")

Nagin - Snake (from the Dravidian word "nagini")

Nara - Man (from the Dravidian word "nara")

Nari - Woman (from the Dravidian word "nari") 

Naram - Soft (from the Dravidian word "naramu") 

Naukri - Job (from the Dravidian word "nokku")

Pakka - Cooked (from the Dravidian word "paka")

Palang - Bed (from the Dravidian word "palanku")

Palki - Palanquin (from the Dravidian word "palaku")

Pani - Water (from the Dravidian word "pani")

Panyar - Flour (from the Dravidian word "paniyaram")

Pashmina - Wool (from the Dravidian word "pashm")

Phana - Snake (from the Dravidian word "pana")

Phanda - Trap (from the Dravidian word "phandu")

Pind - Village (from the Dravidian word "pindu")

Pukka - Solid (from the Dravidian word "pukka") 

Rait - Sand (from the Dravidian word "arai")

Rang - Color (from the Dravidian word "rang")

Resham - Silk (from the Dravidian word "rezham")

Roh - Sun (from the Dravidian word "ravi")

Saman - Goods (from the Dravidian word "samana")

Sanj - Evening (from the Dravidian word "santati")

Sanni - Gold (from the Dravidian word "sonne")

Sardar - Leader (from the Dravidian word "sardara")

Sardi - Cold (from the Dravidian word "sardi")

Sark - Brocade (from the Dravidian word "sarkara")

Saunf - Fennel (from the Dravidian word "sombu")

Saz - Decoration (from the Dravidian word "sajja")

Seeng - Horn (from the Dravidian word "singam")

Sosan - Jasmine (from the Dravidian word "champaka")

Sumbal - Hyacinth (from the Dravidian word "chambakam")

Sur - Tune (from the Dravidian word "suram")

Surma - Kohl (from the Dravidian word "surmai")

Tamaash - Entertainment (from the Dravidian word "tamasha")

Taweez - Amulet (from the Dravidian word "tavi")

Thor - Arrow (from the Dravidian word "turu")

Tunda - Sharp (from the Dravidian word "tundu") 

Tunk - Hard (from the Dravidian word "tunku") 

Tutak - Parrot (from the Dravidian word "tuti") 

Uch - High (from the Dravidian word "ucchi") 

Udan - Flight (from the Dravidian word "udan") 

Umar - Age (from the Dravidian word "umaru") 

Utar - Descend (from the Dravidian word "utarai")

Wari - Fort (from the Dravidian word "varai")

Yak - One (from the Dravidian word "yeka")

Zang - Bangle (from the Dravidian word "sangam") 

Zarak - Gold (from the Dravidian word "sarakku")

Zard - Yellow (from the Dravidian word "jara")

Zaheen - Intelligent (from the Dravidian word "sahana")

Zangi - Black (from the Dravidian word "kari")

Ziarat - Pilgrimage (from the Dravidian word "chariya")

Zulfa - Tassel (from the Dravidian word "sulka")

It is generally believed that Sindhi has a significant number of words from Dravidian languages. Some estimates suggest that there are around 300 to 400 Dravidian loanwords in Sindhi, although the actual number may be higher or lower.

Prakrit

Acala (from Tamil "akalam," meaning time)

Aditi (from Tamil "aditi," meaning free from bonds)

Agara (from Tamil "akaram," meaning letter)

Ajagara (from Tamil "acankaram," meaning python)

Ajina (from Tamil "acanam," meaning skin)

Akasa (from Tamil "akasam," meaning sky)

Amba (from Tamil "ambu," meaning water)

Ambara (from Tamil "amparam," meaning clothing)

Ambaraṣa (from Tamil "amparacca," meaning shade)

Amma (from Tamil "amma," meaning mother)

Aṃsa (from Tamil "ampu," meaning shoulder)

Anila (from Tamil "anilam," meaning wind)

Apa (from Tamil "appa," meaning water)

Arjuna (from Tamil "arijuna," meaning white-flowered myrobalan)

Asa (from Tamil "acai," meaning hope)

Asana (from Tamil "asanam," meaning seat)

Aṭa (from Tamil "atta," meaning grain)

Avarodha (from Tamil "avarodam," meaning obstacle)

Ayasa (from Tamil "ayacu," meaning iron)

Ayya (from Tamil "acca," meaning father)

Baddha (from Tamil "vattam," meaning circle)

Bhadda (from Tamil "pattam," meaning cloth)

Bhanda (from Tamil "pandam," meaning vessel)

Bhava (from Tamil "pava," meaning being)

Bheda (from Tamil "petai," meaning division)

Bhrasta (from Tamil "purasadam," meaning ruined)

Bila (from Tamil "vilai," meaning hole)

Bimba (from Tamil "vimpu," meaning image)

Bujanga (from Tamil "puzhankam," meaning serpent)

Cakra (from Tamil "cakkaram," meaning wheel)

Camma (from Tamil "camai," meaning garment)

Candana (from Tamil "kantu," meaning sandalwood)

Candra (from Tamil "candram," meaning moon)

Carma (from Tamil "carimam," meaning skin)

Caru (from Tamil "caru," meaning rice)

Casaka (from Tamil "cakkaram," meaning pot)

Cattra (from Tamil "cattiram," meaning heroic deed)

Catura (from Tamil "catiram," meaning clever)

Caura (from Tamil "cavarai," meaning thief)

Cela (from Tamil "celam," meaning cloth)

Cesta (from Tamil "cetam," meaning action)

Citra (from Tamil "citiram," meaning picture)

Culla (from Tamil "cuḷḷam," meaning group)

Dadhi (from Tamil "tati," meaning curd)

Dana (from Tamil "tana," meaning wealth)

Danta (from Tamil "tantu," meaning thread)

Daru (from Tamil "taram," meaning wood)

Dhana (from Tamil "tana," meaning wealth)

Dhamma (from Tamil "tamam," meaning religious doctrine)

Dhanu (from Tamil "tani," meaning bow)

Dosa (from Tamil "tosai," meaning pancake)

Duhkha (from Tamil "tukkam," meaning sorrow)

Dvipa (from Tamil "tivam," meaning island)

Gada (from Tamil "kattai," meaning stick)

Gandha (from Tamil "kandam," meaning fragrance)

Gata (from Tamil "kadam," meaning gone)

Gaya (from Tamil "kai," meaning hand)

Ghata (from Tamil "katam," meaning jar)

Giri (from Tamil "kiri," meaning mountain)

Godha (from Tamil "kotai," meaning pond)

Godhuma (from Tamil "kothumai," meaning wheat)

Gola (from Tamil "kollam," meaning circle)

Gopura (from Tamil "kovil," meaning temple)

Guna (from Tamil "kunam," meaning quality)

Guti (from Tamil "kuti," meaning hut)

Hamsa (from Tamil "amsam," meaning swan)

Hasti (from Tamil "asti," meaning elephant)

Himavat (from Tamil "himam," meaning snow)

Iṣa (from Tamil "icai," meaning lord)

Jala (from Tamil "jalam," meaning water)

Jantu (from Tamil "jantu," meaning animal)

Jaya (from Tamil "jayam," meaning victory)

Jina (from Tamil "canam," meaning victory)

Jivha (from Tamil "cipam," meaning tongue)

Jnana (from Tamil "nanam," meaning knowledge)

Kacca (from Tamil "kacai," meaning green)

Kala (from Tamil "kalai," meaning art)

Kalya (from Tamil "kali," meaning sport)

Kama (from Tamil "kamam," meaning desire)

Kanta (from Tamil "kantam," meaning beloved)

Kara (from Tamil "karai," meaning shore)

Karman (from Tamil "karamam," meaning action)

Karu (from Tamil "karu," meaning embryo)

Karya (from Tamil "karyam," meaning work)

Kasa (from Tamil "kacai," meaning cough)

Kastha (from Tamil "kasam," meaning stick)

Kavaca (from Tamil "kavacam," meaning armor)

Kaya (from Tamil "kai," meaning body)

Kesa (from Tamil "kesam," meaning hair)

Khara (from Tamil "karai," meaning salty)

Kirti (from Tamil "kiruttam," meaning fame)

Kosa (from Tamil "kosam," meaning treasury)

Krsna (from Tamil "karuṇai," meaning black)

Kula (from Tamil "kudai," meaning family)

Kumara (from Tamil "kumaran," meaning youth)

Kumbha (from Tamil "kumpai," meaning pot)

Kusa (from Tamil "kusam," meaning grass)

Lata (from Tamil "ilai," meaning leaf)

Balochi Culture

Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Balochistan is an area of barren lands, deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition.  Poets and story tellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.

Tribes

The people belonging to Baloch tribe speak balochi language. Balochi language is an ancient language. Its roots are traced back to Iranian branch of Indo-European family.  It has resemblance with languages such as Sansikrat, Avesta, Old Persian and Phalavi, which now a days are said to be as dead languages. This tribe is further divided in to

Rind

Lashar

Marri

Jamot

Ahmedzai

Bugti

domki

Magsi

Khosa

Rakhashani

Dashti Umrani

Nosherwani

Gichki

Buledi

Sanjarani

Khidai

The tribe has a head known as “sardar”, the sub divided tribes also have heads known as “Malik” or “Takari” or “Mir”. These tribe heads are members of districts and local Jirgas.

Marriages

In Baloch culture marriages are different and unique than in the other provinces of the country. The marriages are according to Islamic principles in presence of a Mullana along with the presence of witnesses. Every member of the family takes part in the marriage; they express their joy and happiness by following the traditions of their culture. Usually the marriages are done in young ages (teenage) but are arranged in early childhood or at birth. There is a very low or negligible ratio of love marriages as this is not appreciated across the culture in all tribes. Usually the marriages take place within tribes but at times intra tribal marriages are also conducted. Divorce rate is very low in the Baluchistan as compared to the other provinces of Pakistan because they consider is a matter of disrespect for the family and honor of the tribe. Different rituals are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes there is a tradition of takings “Valver”, it is a sum of money paid by the groom to the family of the bride.

Dressing

Like all the other provinces of Pakistan the national dress shalwar kameez with distinct additions and modifications are worn in Baloch culture. The people dress up very pleasingly and in the same way in all the tribes. Turban is the common headwear of Bloch men along with wide loose shalwar along with knee-long shirts. Females dress consists of a shirt having a big pocket and embroidery and embedded round mirror work in front. A big Dupatta/ Chaddar is taken to cover the head and shoulders.

Festivals

Both religious and social festivals are celebrated by Baloch people. The religious festivals are same as across the country like Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. These religious festivals are celebrated by decorating houses wearing new dresses cooking special dishes. Baloch culture is full of many social festivals like Sibi festival which has folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other entertaining activities showing the colorful side of Baloch people. Buzkashi is another festival showing rather enhancing the bravery tactfulness and bravery of Baloch people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.

Music

Baloch culture is rich in folk music dances and songs. Famous wedding songs of Baloch culture are Nazenk and Salonk. The instruments used are mainly a flute, locally called Nal, Tamboora and Soroz. A common Baloch folk dance is known as Dochaap. Women also move in a circle clapping their hands on certain occasions. Other dances include the Lewa, Latti and Hambo.

 Food

Usually Baloch people have meals in morning and evening. Men and women eat separately. Wheat, millet and rice are part of the Baloch meal. Meat is also an important part; “Sajji” is the favorite dish of most people. Sajji is the food eaten with knife other than that Baloch people usually eat with hands. Milk, butter and vegetables are also part of Baloch cuisine.

 Sports

Iran 🇮🇷

Basic facts

Official name: جمهوری اسلامی ایران (Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân) (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Capital city: Tehran

Population: 89.1 million (2023)

Demonym: Iranian

Type of government: unitary presidential theocratic republic

Head of state: Ali Khamenei (Supreme Leader)

Head of government: Masoud Pezeshkian (President)

Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $1.85 trillion (2024)

Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 40.9% (medium) (2019)

Human Development Index: 0.780 (high) (2022)

Currency: rial (IRR)

Fun fact: The thumbs-up sign is the equivalent of the middle finger.

Etymology

The country’s name comes from Middle Persian Ērān and means “the land of the Aryans”.

Geography

Iran is located in West Asia and borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan to the east, Pakistan to the southeast, the Indian Ocean to the south, Iraq to the west, and Türkiye to the northwest.

There are six main climates: cold steppe in the north, cold desert in the center, hot desert in the east and south, and hot steppe, hot-summer Mediterranean, and Mediterranean-influenced hot-summer humid continental in the west. Temperatures range from −10 °C (14 °F) in winter to 46 °C (114.8 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature is 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).

The country is divided into 31 provinces (ostân). The largest cities in Iran are Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Karaj, and Shiraz.

History

6000-5000 BCE: Shulaveri-Shomu culture

3400-2000 BCE: Kura-Araxes culture

3200-539 BCE: Elam

2500-2200 BCE: Jiroft culture

2334-2154 BCE: Akkadian Empire

1595-1155 BCE: Middle Babylonian Empire

1363-912 BCE: Middle Assyrian Empire

911-609 BCE: Neo-Assyrian Empire

678-550 BCE: Median Kingdom

626-539 BCE: Neo-Babylonian Empire

550-330 BCE: Achaemenid Empire

499-449 BCE: Greco-Persian Wars

312-63 BCE: Seleucid Empire

247 BCE-224 CE: Parthian Empire

54 BCE-217 CE: Roman-Parthian Wars

224-651 CE: Sasanian Empire

632-661: Rashidun Caliphate

661-750: Umayyad Caliphate

750-1517: Abbasid Caliphate

819-999: Samanid Empire

1037-1194: Seljuk Empire

1219-1258: Mongol conquest

1256-1335: Land of Iran

1335-1432: Jalayirid Sultanate

1370-1507: Timurid Empire

1374-1468: Qara Qoyunlu

1378-1503: Aq Qoyunlu

1501-1736: Safavid Empire

1514-1918: Ottoman-Persian Wars

1709-1738: Hotak Empire

1736-1796: Afsharid Empire

1789-1925: Qajar Empire

1804-1813: Russo-Persian War

1826-1828: Russo-Persian War

1870-1872: famine

1905-1911: Constitutional Revolution

1921: coup d’état

1925-1979: Imperial State of Iran

1941: Anglo-Soviet invasion

1953: military coup

1979: Iranian Revolution

1979-1981: hostage crisis

1979-present: Islamic Republic of Iran

1980-1988: Iran-Iraq War

Economy

Iran mainly imports from China, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil and exports to China, Türkiye, and Kuwait. Its top exports are crude oil, refined oil, and nuts.

It has vast natural gas and oil reserves. Services represent 55% of the GDP, followed by industry (35.3%) and agriculture (6.9%).

Iran is a member of the BRICS, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Demographics

Persians account for 61% of the population, followed by Azeris (16%), Kurds (10%), Lurs (6%), Arabs (2%), and Balochs (2%). The state religion is Islam, practiced by 99.3% of the population, 95% of which is Shia.

It has a negative net migration rate and a fertility rate of 1.6 children per woman. 76.3% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 75.2 years and the median age is 31.7 years. The literacy rate is 85.5%.

Languages

The official language of the country is Persian, spoken by 53% of the population. Other commonly spoken languages include Azerbaijani (18%), Kurdish (10%), Gilaki and Mazandarani (7%), Luri (6%), Arabic (2%), and Balochi (2%).

Culture

Iran is known for its carpet weaving tradition and literature. Iranian men are allowed to be emotional and women can be detached.

Men traditionally wear a long tunic (aba), wide pants (sharwal), and a cloth belt. Women wear a long robe (kaftan) and a headscarf (hijab).

Architecture

Traditional houses in Iran have brick walls, tiled roofs, inner courtyards with a pond, and intricate façades.

Cuisine

The Iranian diet is based on meat, nuts, rice, and vegetables. Typical dishes include ash-e-reshteh (a thick soup with beans, noodles, and sour yogurt), halva (a thick confectionary made of butter, flour, milk, rosewater, and saffron with peanuts, sesame, or sunflower seeds), khoresh-e bademjan (eggplant and tomato stew), loobia polo (a dish of green beans, meat, and rice), and nargesi (a dish of fried eggs, onion, and spinach).

Holidays and festivals

Like other Muslim countries, Iran celebrates Tasu’a, Ashura, Arba’in, Israʾ and Miʿraj, Mawlid, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Mawlid, Eid al-Ghadir, the deaths of Muhammad, Hasan ibn Ali, Ali al-Rida, Hasan al-Askari, Fatima, Ali, and Ja’far al-Sadiq, and the births of Ja’far al-Sadiq, Ali, and Mahdi.

Specific Iranian holidays include Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February 11; Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, between March 19 and 22; Nationalization of the Iranian oil industry on March 20, Islamic Republic Day on April 1; Nature’s Day on April 2; Death of Khomeini on June 4, and Revolt of June 5 on June 5.

Nowruz

Other celebrations include the Rose Water Festival, when roses are picked to prepare jams, sweets, and rose water; Sadeh Festival, which honors warmth and the defeat of darkness by lighting fires, and Shab-e Yalda, which celebrates the end of the longest night.

Sadeh Festival

Landmarks

There are 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, Bam and its Cultural Landscape, Bisotun, Cultural Landscape of Maymand, Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat, Gonbad-e Qābus, Golestan Palace, Historic City of Yazd, Hyrcanian Forests, Lut Desert, Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Pasargadae, Persepolis, Persian Qanat, Sassanid Archeological Landscape in Fars Province, Shahr-e Sukhteh, Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil, Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Soltaniyeh, Susa, Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, Takht-e Soleyman, Tchogha Zanbil, The Persian Caravanserai, The Persian Garden, and Trans-Iranian Railway.

Lut Desert

Other landmarks include the Agha Bozorg Mosque, the Ali-Sadr Cave, Hamoun Lake, the Imam Reza Shrine, and the Qal’eh Dokhtar fortress.

Agha Bozorg Mosque

Famous people

Abbas Kiarostami - movie director

Ali Daei - soccer player

Alireza Firouzja - chess player

Arash - singer

Golshifteh Farahani - actress

Googoosh - singer

Marjane Satrapi - illustrator

Navid Negahban - actor

Neba Shahsavari - table tennis player

Shirin Neshat - artist

Shirin Neshat