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Baloch tribes

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The Baloch tribes (Baloch: بلوچ) live in historical Balochistan, a region encompassing southeastern Iran, southern Afghanistan, and southwestern Pakistan.

Divisions

As of 2008 it was estimated that there were between eight and nine million Baloch people living in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. They were subdivided between over 130 tribes. Some estimates put the figure at over 150 tribes, though estimates vary depending on how subtribes are counted. The tribes, known as taman, are led by a tribal chief, the tumandar. Subtribes, known as paras, are led by a muquaddam.

Jalal Khan, a legendary figure in the history of the Baloch people, led the Baloch from Persia to Makran. Khan had four sons, Rind, Hot, Lashari, and Korai, and a daughter, Jato. Five Baloch tribes derive their eponymous names from Khan's children. Many, if not all, Baloch tribes can be categorized as either Rind or Lashari based on their actual descent or historical tribal allegiances that developed into cross-generational relationships. This basic division was accentuated by a thirty year long period of war between the Rind and Lashari tribes in the 15th century.

Tribalism

Violent inter-tribal competition has prevented any credible attempt at creating a nation-state. A myriad of militant secessionist movements, each loyal to their own tribal leader, threatens regional security and political stability. Nationalist and anti-tribal, egalitarian sentiments are inherently intertwined. Nationalist groups like the Baloch Students Organization, composed of armed rebels, and the Baloch Council of North America, made up of educated expatriates living in the United States, have simultaneously denounced Balochistan's traditional rulers and Pakistan's national government. Baloch tribes are markedly less egalitarian than Pashtun tribes. Balochistan National Party, a group that engages in politics and violence, makes a point of advocating on behalf of the tribally distinct Baloch communities in Iran and Afghanistan.

Pakistan

There are 180,000 Bugti based in Dera Bugti. They are divided between the Rahija Bugti, Masori Bugti, Kalpar Bugti, and Daiga sub-tribes. Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti led the Bugti as Tumandar until his death in 2006. Talal Akbar Bugti was the tribal leader and President of the Jamhoori Watan Party from 2006 until his death in 2015. Brahumdagh Bugti serves as both Bugti tribal chief and head of the Baloch Republican Party.

There are 98,000 Marri based in Kohlo district, who further divide themselves into Bahawalanzai, Chhalgari, Shaheja, Gazni Marri, Bejarani Marri, and Zarkon Marri. Hyrbyair Marri has led the Balochistan Liberation Army since his brother's death in 2007. Another brother, Mehran Marri, leads the United Baloch Army. Both groups are designated terrorist organisations in Pakistan.

The Zehri are based in Zawa, Jhalawan where they are the largest tribe. Sanaullah Zehri, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, is the Zehri's tribal chief. The Zehri have Sasoli and Zarakzai sub-tribes.

The Hooth tribe is led by Abdul Malik Baloch, the last Chief Minister of Baloch.

The Mengal tribe has the Shahizai, Zagar and Samalani sub-tribes. Ataullah Mengal leads the Mengal tribe.

References

  1. ^ Tahir, Muhammad (April 3, 2008). "Tribes and Rebels: The Players in the Balochistan Insurgency". Jamestown.
  2. Baloch, Muhammad Amin (1999). Inside Ormara. Muhammad Amin Baloch. p. 83.
  3. Bonarjee, P. D. (1899). A handbook of the fighting races of India. Thacker, Spink & Co. p. 47.
  4. Asimov, M. S.; Bosworth, C. E. (1992). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (vol.4, part-1). Motilal Banarsidass Publishing. p. 305.
  5. Jugdep S. Chima (2015). Ethnic Subnationalist Insurgencies in South Asia: Identities, Interests and Challenges to State Authority. Routledge. p. 126. ISBN 978-1138839922.
  6. "Influential Baloch lobby group in US decides to end activism against Pakistan". Terminal X. 2014-07-15.
  7. "Voice of Baloch Nationalists in powerful US congress". Pakistan Christian Post. 8 February 2012.
  8. Political Competition and Social Organization: Explaining the Effect of Ethnicity on Public Service Delivery in Pakistan Aisha Shafique. (The Ohio State University: 2013). Page 27.
  9. Malik Siraj Akbar (2011). The Redefined Dimensions of Baloch Nationalist Movement. Xlibris Corporation. p. 312.
  10. Pakistan Horizon, Volume 59, Issues 3-4. Pakistan Institute of International Affairs. 2006.
  11. "JWP leader Talal Bugti passes away in Quetta". The Express Tribune. 27 April 2015.
  12. Mary Anne Weaver (2010). Pakistan: In the Shadow of Jihad and Afghanistan. Macmillan. p. 104.
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