Baloch Jamali in Pakistan

The Baloch Jamali 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

Various Baloch subgroups such as the Jamali speak different languages, each with distinguishing characteristics. The Jamali 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. Balochistan is one of the major provinces of Pakistan.

Their 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."


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Jamali 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. The meat of the palm is eaten, and the leaves are used 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 Jamali 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.

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 Jamali 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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jamali Baloch are Sunni Muslims. Their religious practices remain private, and there is no concept of a "state religion" among them like there is for most other Pakistani peoples. All forms of secular authority are separated from the spiritual authority held by religious leaders.


What Are Their Needs?

The Baloch have been isolated for many years due to harsh climate, the difficulty of communicating in mountainous terrain, and their former reputation as bandits. Since the governments of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all have a share in Balochistan's welfare, they have begun building roads and developing agriculture programs. However, the Baloch have remained largely unaided by these developmental changes.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit-led workers to go to every Baloch subgroup and lead them into a Disciple Making Movement.
Pray for Jamali 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 Jamali Baloch to have a movement to Christ that will affect every subgroup.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch Jamali in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Baloch Jamali
People Name in Country Baloch Jamali
Alternate Names
Population this Country 201,000
Population all Countries 201,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
PeopleID3 22395
ROP3 Code 100881
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
139,000
Balochistan
34,000
Punjab
27,000
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 3
  Sindh 139,000
  Balochistan 34,000
  Punjab 27,000
Website South Asia Peoples

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

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 (77,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Balochi, Eastern
44,000
Sindhi
43,000
Saraiki
24,000
Urdu
8,400
Brahui
200
Primary Language Balochi, Southern (77,000 speakers)
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Balochi, Eastern 44,000
  Sindhi 43,000
  Saraiki 24,000
  Urdu 8,400
  Brahui 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.
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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