balochistan culture and dresses

Table of Contents

Abstract 1

Introduction 2

Culture 2

Dressing…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2

Balochi Culture………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2

Men Dressing…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3

Smock-frock…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Turban…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Waist coat………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Balochi chappal………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Women Dressing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5

Jewelry………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

Women Sandals…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

Wedding Dresses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9

References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….9

ABSTRACT:
In terms of area Baluchistan is the largest province of Pakistan. Baluchistan had been a cradle of world’s leading civilizations. There are sufficient evidences from the pre-historic and historic period supports this argument. The area had remained a cross-road of civilization generally in South Asia and particularly in the sub-continent. As a result, today Baluchistan can take pride of its role of safeguarding the remnants of early cultures that had left their abiding marks and the circumstances which makes Baluchistan rich in terms of archeology as well as ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity.

Introduction:

Culture:

“The culture is defined by ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society”. In the words of E.B. Tylor, it is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, clothing and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society”. Culture is a way of life how people live their general life, how they behave what are there believes and norms.

Pakistan consists of five provinces Gilgit-baltistan, Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab. There exists a great difference between the cultures and customs of five provinces. Actually Pakistani culture is an amalgam of many cultures, in which five cultures i.e. Kalash culture, Baluchi culture, Pashtun culture, Sindhi culture and Punjabi culture are main cultures.

Dressing:

            Dressing refers to the ethnic dress that is typically worn by individuals in the particular area. Dresses express the culture and demographics of any particular area. Dress in each regional culture reflect weather conditions, way of living and distinctive style which gives it a unique identity among all cultures.

Balochi Culture:

             Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Baluchistan is an area of barren lands, deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition.  Poets and story tellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.

 Dressing:

Like all the other provinces of Pakistan the national dress shalwar kameez with distinct additions and modifications are worn in Baloch culture. The people dress up very pleasingly and in the same way in all the tribes. Turban is the common headwear of Bloch men along with wide loose shalwar, knee-long shirts. Females dress consists of a shirt having a big pocket and embroidery and embedded round mirror work in front. A big Dupatta/ Chaddar is taken to cover the head and shoulders.

Men Dressing:

The Baluch differ from their neighbors in their dress.  A Baloch wears a long jama (robe) like a smock-frock down to the heels, loose shalwar, a long chaddar or scarf, a pagri of cotton cloth, and mostly shoes that Nano at the toe. The material is thick cloth with very wide shalwar to protect against the hot wind of the dry Suleiman Range and Kharan Desert.

Smock-frocks:

The smock-frocks have now been replaced with knee-down loose shirts but the loose shalwars are still widely popular. Colors other than white are also acceptable now.

Smock-frock

Turban:

Probably the most spectacular of turbans worn in Pakistan is the one worn by Baloch sardars. It consists of fine, spotless white cotton wrapped around the head in a manner that only a Baloch can figure out and handle. It does not have a crest or “shamla” Its tail, instead of hanging loosely at the back, comes down on one side of the turban, loosely snakes around the chin and then up on the other shoulder, the end tucked in the folds of the turban, thus framing the face of the person in the folds of white cotton. The turban tail is also used to cover one’s face during dust storms.

Balochi Turban

Waist coat:

A close-fitting waist-length garment, typically having no sleeves or collar and buttoning down the front, worn especially by men over a shirt and under a jacket.

Waist coat

Balochi Chappal:

Balochi chappal is known as the cultural footwear of Baloch nation. Balochi chappal is being made since the dawn of Baloch nation in the region.

Women dressing:

Balochi Dress for woman is one of the beautiful cultural sides of Baluchistan. The Balochi Dress is attractive, in fashion, classic and very rich that a woman from any part of world can’t deny wearing it. Balochi dress is called “phashik” in Balochi language.
It has heavy embroidered sleeves and borders. It has pockets which are in triangle shape. This triangle shaped pocket is sewed with Daman and lots of beautiful embroidery is done on it too.

Balochi dress is unique since the embroidery work on it leads you to unique taste of art in Baloch. The patterns, the designs of Balochi dress are unique and eye catching that you can’t find that type of embroidery work in other cultural dresses.
In making of Balochi Dress glass, multiple colored threads and a fabric is used. This fabric can be anything of your choice but usually cotton, silk and Orchid is used.

Baloch embroidery work

Talking of appealing colors in Balochi dress, let us tell you that red, green, black, yellow and blue are the most commonly used colors in making of Balochi dress, but as due to requirements of design, the Balochi dress can be consisted of countless colors. Their combination will definitely take one’s heart away. Balochi dress is very dynamic since they vary area to area. Like in Baluchistan if a Baloch woman wears Balochi dress without embroidered borders then she is thought to be a widow.

Glass work

The happily married Balochi women wear Balochi dress with heavy, rich and bright colored embroidery not only on border but on sleeves too. You will amazed to know that this phenomena is not observed in Baloch’s of Iran, there even a married woman can wear a Balochi dress without any heavy embroidery on borders.
            Balochi dress is no doubt an apple of eye for any fashion designers since there is lot of space to make it more beautiful and up to date. Like till date Balochi dress embroidery is done in many mediums, depending on its medium of embroidery many new designs are introduced or they existed before but revealed again they are kundi, bugti and Sheeshay wala kam(the embroidery with glass).

            Balochi dress as time passes changes itself. The Balochi dress with pockets are preferred to be worn in sui and bugti but in Quetta, modern Baloch Girl would like to wear Balochi dress without pockets.

The Balochi dress is very beautiful and adorable and hence it takes lots of money and time to be prepared. Its price ranges from few hundreds to thousands. An average Balochi dress takes 7 to 8 months to prepare since this is one of the unique hand-made dress.
So, if you are fond of experiencing the various cultures and their customs, then get started with Balochi dress. This Historic, rich dress will take you as it part.

Baloch Woman Dress

Jewelry:

jewelry consists of small decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Jewelry may be attached to the body or the clothes.

Baloch Jewelry

The Baloch women wore durr (earrings), pulu and pulluk (rings in nose), har or touk (necklace and bracelets), mundrik (rings in hands and foot fingers), sanga or tal (rings around hands), bahuband or bahink (armlets).  Ornaments of various kinds were fixed on the heir including choti-pull, moudi, which are fixed on the hair near the back, and tall which was added to make the hair appear long.

Women Sandal:

The sandals are not exclusive for men. The ones made for women are known as “Sawas” in the Balochi language. They are made of leather sewn together with threads of different colours. These sandals are also an essential part of the Baloch women’s cultural dresses. However, most of the footwear is crafted at homes.

Baloch Woman Sandal

Wedding Dresses:

Like any other culture, the Baloch people also celebrate union of two people with utmost joy, warmth, and devotion; yet, basic rituals of traditional Balochi weddings differ to a great extent from other ethnicities of the region. Likewise, other provinces the people of balochistan have different dresses wearied on weddings in Baluchistan.

Baloch Bridal Dress

Conclusions:

            The land of Baluchistan is blessed with a rich and unique culture. Where dressing has main importance in daily life. Not only in daily life but also in the weddings and other cultural activities, the dressings in Baloch culture has a unique taste as compared to other provinces of Pakistan. As the other provinces are slowly straying away from their culture, the culture and more importantly the dressing in Baluchistan has the same fervor as it was in the old ages. People of Baluchistan are still attached to their cultural values. It is the responsibility of the provincial and central government to promote the culture of Baluchistan and more importantly the dressings of Pakistan.