Waqas ur Rehman
Every nation has got its own culture with unique features. Culture plays a significant role in the development of a particular nation. The Baloch culture is recognized as one of the oldest, strongest and beautiful cultures in the world by the archaeologists. The Balochs are usually known for their peace, love and hospitality. The Balochs are considered as brave people with strong resilience. The Balochs treat everyone with respect, love and care. They always stay active for assisting and supporting the humanity in times of need. The culture always acted as a bonding force to unite the Baloch community all over the world.
The ‘Baloch Culture Day’ was celebrated in Pakistan and abroad on March 2nd to highlight the cultural charm of the Baloch community. The Balochs marked their culture day by wearing traditional dresses and turbans. The Baloch culture is rich with folk songs and traditional dances which are performed in marriage ceremonies to amuse the audience. The famous musical instruments of the Balochs include Nal, Tambora and Soroz. The most captivating folk dance is known as Dochaapi in which the participants move in a circle clapping their hands in a unique pattern to inspire the public. The Baloch women wear heavy dresses embroidered with beautiful designs. The famous Balochi dresses include Jalar-o-Naal, Kalati Mosom, Makuran-a-Koh, Morag-a-Padag, and several more which are very costly. The history of Balochistan counts among the oldest around the world, particularly the areas of Sibi, Bolan, Lasbela, Kalat, Kharan and Makran are quite significant from archeological perspective.
The ‘Baloch Culture Day’ is celebrated every year to spread the Balochs’ soft image around the globe. The CM of Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan congratulated the Baloch people on the annual ‘Baloch Culture Day’ and shared the message of peace and unity with other nations. Jam Kamal urged the people to spread awareness regarding rich traditions of the Baloch nation for the next generations to follow. He pledged peace, prosperity and development in the coming years besides urging the people of Balochistan to ensure protection of Balochi language, culture, customs and traditions. The Senate Chairman, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani also congratulated the Baloch people on their culture day, and stressed on promoting inter-cultural harmony to speed up the process of development and bring everybody into the national mainstream.
Identity of a certain nation can be kept alive through culture, customs and traditions. It is significant that people of different races and religions have been living in Balochistan for centuries due to their mutual respect, care and love for each other. The Pashtuns, the Punjabis and the Sindhis also celebrated the ‘Baloch Culture Day’ in solidarity with their fellow Balochs. The Baloch community wearing traditional dresses participated in various cultural activities including exhibition of Baloch costumes, mouth-watering cuisines, folk music and traditional dance. The Baloch youth also held rallies in many cities to highlight their enchanting culture.
Retrospectively, it is unfortunate to note that India has been creating disturbances in Balochistan for its geo-strategic motives. It is also involved in instigating the young Balochs. However, the farsighted Baloch people have realized the nefarious game-plan of the enemy, and expressed their resolve to stand by the Pakistan’s Law-Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to respond befittingly in case of Indian aggression in any shape. The Baloch youth reiterated their commitment to defend the motherland and stand by the Pakistani State through thick and thin. The government of Pakistan is also making thorough efforts to align the Baloch Sub-Nationalists (BSNs) to join the national mainstream. Moreover, the Baloch youth appealed to the world community to take strict notice of the Indian malicious designs in the region. They urged the Indian government and its media channels to focus on their local issues; rather than interfering in affairs of the next-door neighbors. Similarly, the Baloch community urged their fellow Pakistanis to boycott the Indian products along with taking practical steps to halt infusion of the Indian culture through its media channels. It would be prudent for the Pakistani media houses to promote their own cultural values so as to neutralize the negative influence coming from the Indian culture. It is equally significant to note that the Federal government has been initiating many development projects which will enhance the socio-economic status of the Balochs.
