Magasi Baloch in Pakistan

The Magasi 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 Mohammad. 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. They are subdivided among over 130 tribes, including the Southern Balochi speaking Magasi Baloch.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Magasi Baloch live according to tribal customs. The 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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Magasi Baloch identify as Sunni Muslims, a faith deeply interwoven with their daily lives. Their Islamic beliefs are sometimes compromised by traditional religion. Balochi customs and traditions are conducted according to codes imposed by their tribal laws.


What Are Their Needs?

The Magasi Baloch face significant challenges, including limited access to education and healthcare. Geographical isolation and economic hardship hinder development opportunities. Political unrest in the region also impacts their quality of life and access to resources.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Baloch may be open to the lordship of Jesus Christ and his gospel workers.
Pray for Magasi elders and family leaders to have dreams and visions of the victorious, loving Christ.
Pray that God will provide workers who speak the Balochi language to work with the Baloch peoples.
Pray for God to provide a record harvest for the Magasi Baloch as a testimony of his power and goodness.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Magasi in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baloch
https://www.atlasofhumanity.com/baloch
https://www.quora.com/What-is-your-opinion-about-Baloch-people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Baloch Magasi
People Name in Country Baloch Magasi
Natural Name Magasi Baloch
Alternate Names Maghasi; बलोच, मागासी
Population this Country 96,000
Population all Countries 96,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 20255
ROP3 Code 115993
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 3
Largest States
Balochistan
75,000
Punjab
14,000
Sindh
6,600
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 3
  Balochistan 75,000
  Punjab 14,000
  Sindh 6,600
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 (45,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Balochi, Eastern
35,000
Saraiki
6,800
Sindhi
4,800
Urdu
1,700
Pashto, Central
400
Brahui
300
Punjabi, Western
100
Primary Language Balochi, Southern (45,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Balochi, Eastern 35,000
  Saraiki 6,800
  Sindhi 4,800
  Urdu 1,700
  Pashto, Central 400
  Brahui 300
  Punjabi, Western 100
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Balochi, Southern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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, Southern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pákén kessah gón aksán General / Other
Mobile App Android Keyboard app: Balochi Keyboards General / Other
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Balóchi Mestag Forum Linguistik in Eurasien e.V.
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Balochi, Southern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Book Reading App: Balochi Folktales Forum Linguistik in Eurasien e.V.
Mobile App iOS Dictionary App: Balochi-English Dictionary Forum Linguistik in Eurasien e.V.
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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