Jalbani Baloch in Pakistan

The Jalbani 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 various subgroups such as the Jalbani speak different languages, each with distinguishing characteristics. The Jalbani are a subgroup of the Rind Baloch. The Baloch homeland reaches from eastern Balochistan to southwestern Punjab, which borders India. This high, dry region was once a very populated country watered by a large number of flowing rivers. Today, it is a barren area of rocky mountains and dry river valleys mixed with desert land. The name, "Baloch," is shrouded in controversy. Some say it means "nomad," while others claim that it is an old Persian word meaning "the cock's crest." Their history is just as mysterious. Some have traced their origins to Nimrod, son of Cush (Noah's grandson). But while some things are uncertain, we do know that they first moved to the region in the twelfth century. During the Moghul period, this territory became known as "Balochistan."

There are 130 Baloch subgroups including the Jalbani. The Jalbani speak the Southern dialect of Balochi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Jalbani Baloch traditionally earn their living by a combination of farming and semi-nomadic shepherding. They usually raise sheep, cattle or goats. Agriculture is limited because of the harsh climate; nevertheless, it plays a large role in the economy. Their chief crop is wheat. To aid in the household economy, some farmers raise chickens. They also depend on wild fruits and vegetables. One wild plant, called the "dwarf palm," is used as a dietary supplement. They eat the meat of the palm and use the leaves to make ropes, shoes, mats, spoons, tents and pipes. Techniques of survival differ from valley to valley and from high mountain areas to lowland plains. However, each community tries to keep as many different animals as possible and to grow a wide variety of crops. The Jalbani Baloch have overcome the obstacles of living in an extremely harsh, arid climate.

Today, most of them live in two types of settlements that are conducive to their semi-nomadic lifestyle. Their permanent villages consist of clusters of mud houses, loosely organized around the home of the local chief. They live in these mountain and valley settlements in the summertime. However, in winter, they migrate to the plains and coastal areas, seeking green grass for their livestock. During this time, they live in tents, and move freely across the landscape as weather conditions dictate. These temporary settlements are smaller, consisting of closely related kin.

Jalbani Baloch marriages are arranged between the bride's father and the prospective groom. There is a bride price of livestock and cash. Once a woman is married, she passes from the authority of her father to that of her husband. Marriages are monogamous and lifelong, and marrying a non-Baloch is strictly forbidden. Balochmayar, or the "Balochiway," is the honor code by which the Jalbani Baloch live. These principles include extending hospitality and mercy, dealing with each other honestly, and offering refuge to strangers. They are preserved through both songs and poetry. Children learn proper behavior by watching their elders and are taunted whenever they misbehave. Many Baloch cannot read or write and until recently, their language was unwritten. However, they have a long tradition of poetic compositions. Poets and professional minstrels are highly regarded.

Bloch Jalbani people have been isolated due to harsh climate, the difficulty of the mountainous terrain, and their former reputation as bandits.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jalbani Baloch are predominantly Sunni Muslims, following the same religious practices and traditions as other Sunni communities in Pakistan. Islamic faith is deeply integrated into their daily lives, with regular prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and observance of Islamic festivals being central to their religious practice. Mosques serve as important community centers for worship and social gatherings. While Islamic teachings guide their spiritual and moral life, some traditional Baloch customs and practices are also observed, creating a unique blend of religious and cultural identity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jalbani Baloch have been isolated for many years due to harsh climate, the difficulty of communicating in mountainous terrain, and their former reputation as bandits. Access to basic services such as healthcare and education is limited, resulting in low literacy rates and inadequate medical care. Economic opportunities are also scarce, with many families struggling to make ends meet through pastoralism and small-scale farming. Infrastructure in Balochistan is underdeveloped, making transportation and communication difficult.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to give the Jalbani Baloch an abundant harvest this year as proof of his power and love.
Pray for Holy Spirit-led workers to go to every Baloch subgroup and lead them into a Disciple Making Movement. Pray for Jalbani Baloch elders to have dreams and visions of the risen Christ that will lead them to open the doors of their community to hear about his glory. Pray for the Lord to make a way for the Baloch to have a movement to Christ that will affect every subgroup.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Jalbani in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalbani
https://en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org/wiki/Jalbani.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Baloch Jalbani
People Name in Country Baloch Jalbani
Natural Name Jalbani Baloch
Pronunciation jahl-BAH-nee bah-LOACH
Alternate Names
Population this Country 246,000
Population all Countries 246,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
PeopleID3 21847
ROP3 Code 118622
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
Sindh
227,000
Punjab
14,000
Balochistan
5,200
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
  Sindh 227,000
  Punjab 14,000
  Balochistan 5,200
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 (146,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Sindhi
40,000
Urdu
26,000
Balochi, Eastern
22,000
Saraiki
2,000
Dhatki
1,800
Brahui
100
Primary Language Balochi, Southern (146,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Sindhi 40,000
  Urdu 26,000
  Balochi, Eastern 22,000
  Saraiki 2,000
  Dhatki 1,800
  Brahui 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.
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Asianet-Pakistan - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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