Mari Baloch in Pakistan

The Mari 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. 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 Eastern Balochi speaking Mari Baloch.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mari Baloch live according to tribal customs. Their 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 Mari Baloch identify as Sunni Muslims, a faith deeply interwoven with their daily lives and traditions. However, these are sometimes compromised by faith in the spirit world. Balochi customs and traditions are conducted according to codes imposed by their tribal laws.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Mari Baloch may be open to Jesus Christ and his ambassadors.
Pray that God will provide workers who speak the Eastern Balochi language to work with the Mari Baloch people.
Pray for the Baloch peoples to unite under the banner of the only savior, Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Mari 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 Mari
People Name in Country Baloch Mari
Natural Name Mari Baloch
Pronunciation mah-REE bah-LOACH
Alternate Names बलोच, मारी
Population this Country 172,000
Population all Countries 172,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 20257
ROP3 Code 100902
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
151,000
Sindh
21,000
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 151,000
  Sindh 21,000
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 (126,000 speakers)
Language Code bgp   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Balochi, Southern
22,000
Pashto, Central
9,900
Sindhi
3,500
Urdu
3,500
Saraiki
3,400
Brahui
200
Primary Language Balochi, Eastern (126,000 speakers)
Language Code bgp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Balochi, Southern 22,000
  Pashto, Central 9,900
  Sindhi 3,500
  Urdu 3,500
  Saraiki 3,400
  Brahui 200
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 (Representative photo)
Mostafa Meraji - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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