While there is no known "Chagai gypsy" group, this term might refer to nomadic people, often derogatorily called "gypsies," who reside in or migrate through Pakistan's Chagai District
. The Romani people, commonly known as "Gypsies," are believed to have originated in the Indus Valley region of modern-day Pakistan and India before migrating to Europe.
The search results clarify that "Chagai" and "Chagrin" are distinct terms:
Chagai District: Located in Balochistan, Pakistan, it is a largely desert region inhabited by nomadic groups like the Baluchis, Brahuis, and Pashtuns. Nomads in Pakistan are known locally as Khana Badosh, which means "the landless".
Chagrin: This is a figure from Romani folklore and has no connection to the Chagai District. It was believed to be an evil spirit that took the form of a yellow hedgehog and rode horses to exhaustion during the night.
Nomadic groups in Chagai, Pakistan
Several nomadic and semi-nomadic groups live in the Chagai District and the broader Balochistan region, including:
Balochis and Brahuis: These are the main ethnic groups in Balochistan, many of whom follow a traditional nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, especially in the highlands.
Kuchis: In Afghanistan and northern Balochistan, these Pashtun nomadic pastoralists follow migratory routes for grazing their livestock.
Khana Badosh: This is a general term for nomadic groups in Pakistan, including the Romani, who set up temporary tent camps on the outskirts of cities. Genetic studies have confirmed the North Indian origin of these Romani people.
According to Romani folklore described in Heinrich von Wlislocki's accounts, the Chagrin was a supernatural hedgehog-like creature. Superstitious rituals were used to protect horses from being exhausted or having their manes tangled by the Chagrin during the night. These practices included tethering the horse to a garlic-rubbed stake and placing a red thread cross on the ground.
