Khetran Baloch in Pakistan

The Khetran Baloch 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 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.

They now live in the southern part of Pakistan with some of them in neighboring Iran and Afghanistan. There are three major Baloch dialects. One of these is Eastern Balochi, spoken by the Khetran subgroup.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Khetran Baloch live according to tribal customs. They are separated into a number of different tribes. Baloch men wear long shirts with long sleeves and loose pants. They sometimes wear turbans on their heads. 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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Khetran Baloch follow Sunni Islam, practicing regular prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and observing Islamic festivals. Mosques serve as important centers for worship and social gatherings. While Islamic teachings guide their spiritual and moral lives, they also observe some traditional Baloch customs, creating a unique blend of religious and cultural identity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Khetran Baloch face numerous challenges due to their remote and harsh living conditions. Limited access to basic services such as healthcare and education results in low literacy rates and inadequate medical care. Economic opportunities remain scarce, with many families struggling to sustain themselves through pastoralism and small-scale farming. Underdeveloped infrastructure in Balochistan complicates transportation and communication.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Khetran Baloch may be open to Christ and his gospel.
Pray that God will provide workers who speak the Balochi language to work with the Baloch peoples.
Pray that God will give dreams and visions of Christ to Khetran elders.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Khetran in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Baloch Khetran
People Name in Country Baloch Khetran
Natural Name Khetran Baloch
Alternate Names बलोच, खेतरं
Population this Country 49,000
Population all Countries 49,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 20248
ROP3 Code 115991
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
Balochistan
47,000
Punjab
1,900
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 47,000
  Punjab 1,900
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, Eastern (25,000 speakers)
Language Code bgp   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Khetrani
15,000
Pashto, Central
5,400
Saraiki
1,600
Balochi, Southern
600
Urdu
100
Primary Language Balochi, Eastern (25,000 speakers)
Language Code bgp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Khetrani 15,000
  Pashto, Central 5,400
  Saraiki 1,600
  Balochi, Southern 600
  Urdu 100
People Groups Speaking Balochi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Balochi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1815-1906)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1901-1906)
Bible-Complete No
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Balochi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Balochi Bible stories General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Balochi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: The Bible - Balochi (Hodáay Pákén Ketáb) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Wasshén ahwál (the Scriptures in Balochi) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App Android Bible app: Zabur Balóchi zobáná General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Balochi Folktales General / Other
Mobile App Android Dictionary app: Uppsala University Balochi-English Dictionary General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Balochi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pákén kessah gón aksán (Balochi picture Bible stories) Forum Linguistik in Eurasien e.V.
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Wasshén ahwál (the Scriptures in Balochi) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Zabur Balóchi Forum Linguistik in Eurasien e.V.
Photo Source Anonymous 
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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