Baloch Cultural Ceremonies

Child Birth

            The occasion of the birth of either a male or a female child is marked with joy. Food and sweets are prepared and distributed. The birth of a boy is greeted with greater rejoicing than the birth of a girl. Among some tribes no ceremonies are performed on the birth of a girl, while among other tribes usual ceremonies are performed from birth till death. They include birth, sasigan (selecting name on sixth day), burruk (circumcision), padgami (child's beginning to walk) and salwar (wearing of trousers) etc.

Marriage

           Marriages which generally take place after puberty are performed with ceremonies which included music, dancing and distribution of food. The girl is usually a few years junior to the boy. Marriage is arranged to a closely knit family. Expenses of food prepared on either side are borne by the bridegroom. To meet the expenses and amount of labb, bride price, relatives of the bridegroom collect bijjari, subscriptions from friends and relative. Traditionally, everyone gives according to his means. Sheep's, cows, goats or camels are also presented as bijjar. Relatives of the bride also collect bijjar called giwari on the marriage evening.

          The general characteristics of a wedding include negotiations by parents and other relatives. All details are agreed upon and the wedding is formalized later on. Labb is fixed before hand. Sang or harbarsindi, betrothal, is the first step. The expenses, pardach, are incurred by the bridegroom. Pardach is paid in cash and kind before by the marriage date. It also includes embroidered clothes and other essential articles for the bride.

            Sang is almost as absolute as the marriage itself. After engagement, the parents of the girl are bound to give the hand of the lady to the person to whom she is betrothed. There is no backing-out from either side save in exceptional circumstances. Only in rare cases, the man can forego his fiancée, dishtar.

             Sahbadal or system of exchange of girls between families without stipulations paid is also prevalent. Sometimes conditions are made that a daughter born of a marriage will be given to relatives of bride's parents. However, if there is a marked difference in the ages or personal attractions of will-be-bride and bridegroom, it will then be compensated in money by either side. Betrothal in childhood among close relatives is also common.

The date of marriage is usually announced well in advance and all the relatives and friends will be duly informed. In former times, the invitation for participation was sent to the entire clan which then selected the individuals for taking part in the ceremonies on their behalf. However, at a much latter stage, the invitations are sent to individuals and family heads. The persons sent for inviting the people, Lotuki, The party will then be feasted by the village headman before their return.

             A few days before the event, a kapar or a large wooden tent is built, a few yards from the home of the bridegroom. In coastal areas this temporary tent is called mangeer where more than on marriage ceremonies are performed. This is built for the occasion by the people under supervision of the village headman. All ceremonies including dancing and singing are performed there. This will also serve as a guest house for visitors from the nearby villages. Among peculiar customs, korag, is most prominent. Bridegroom is bought to mangeer amid with much singing and dancing.

           Another peculiar custom is that a week before the marriage, the girl is secluded from the rest of the family. Only the closest female relatives and friends could visit her. During this period she is also briefed regarding her duties and responsibilities after marriage.



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