Rais Baloch in Pakistan

The Rais 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 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. One of these Baloch tribes is the Rais, who speak the Southern Balochi dialect.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rais Baloch live according to tribal customs. Their men wear long shirts with long sleeves and loose pants. They sometimes wear turbans. 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 Rais 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 Baloch people embrace Sunni Islam as the core of their spiritual life. Their faith deeply influences their daily routines, moral values, and social structures. They observe the five pillars of Islam with devotion, including daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca if possible.

The Baloch community incorporates Islamic teachings into their cultural practices. Religious leaders, known as mullahs, play crucial roles in guiding spiritual practices, resolving disputes, and leading religious ceremonies. The community gathers for Friday prayers at local mosques, reinforcing their sense of unity and spiritual commitment.

In addition to mainstream Islamic practices, the Baloch people hold a profound respect for Sufi traditions. Sufi saints and shrines hold special significance, with many Baloch making pilgrimages to these holy sites. They believe in the intercessory power of saints and seek blessings and guidance through these visits.

Folk traditions also intermingle with their Islamic beliefs. The Baloch recount stories of spiritual encounters, valor, and moral lessons through oral poetry and songs, which strengthen their cultural identity and moral values. They observe various religious festivals with enthusiasm, celebrating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha with community feasts, prayers, and social gatherings.

For the Baloch, Islamic spirituality forms the bedrock of their identity, guiding their actions, community interactions, and perspectives on life.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to break through to Rais Baloch people, opening them to the one who provides life to the full.
Pray that the Rais Baloch may be open to the message of the gospel.
Pray that God will provide workers who speak the Balochi language to work with the Baloch peoples.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Rais Baloch people.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Rais 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 Rais
People Name in Country Baloch Rais
Natural Name Rais Baloch
Alternate Names बलोच, राइस
Population this Country 108,000
Population all Countries 108,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 20258
ROP3 Code 115995
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
104,000
Sindh
3,300
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 104,000
  Sindh 3,300
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 (79,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Balochi, Eastern
10,000
Balochi, Western
3,600
Sindhi
3,600
Urdu
1,600
Dari
1,200
Saraiki
200
Primary Language Balochi, Southern (79,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Balochi, Eastern 10,000
  Balochi, Western 3,600
  Sindhi 3,600
  Urdu 1,600
  Dari 1,200
  Saraiki 200
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.
Photo Source Adam Dessert Harvesting Minister 
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.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024