The Baloch diaspora (Balochi: دَرمُلکی بلۏچ or دَرانڈݔھی بلۏچ, romanized: Darmolki Balòc) refers to Baloch people, and their descendants, who have immigrated to places outside the Balochistan region of South-West Asia – a region stretching from southwestern Pakistan to southeastern Iran and southern Afghanistan. The Baloch diaspora is found throughout the Middle East, South Asia, Oman, Turkmenistan, East Africa, Europe, North America and in other parts of the world.[1][2][3][4]
The Baloch holds a significant place in the history of Sindh. The Talpurs, originally a Baloch tribe, ruled Sindh from 1783 to 1843. A significant population in sindh have Baloch root about 4 million.[5][6]
Within Pakistan, there are significant numbers of Baloch tribes that have migrated partially or totally and settled in regions outside of Balochistan, mostly into Sindh. Some have also migrated into southern Punjab, especially in the Saraiki speaking regions as well as southeast Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many have become entirely assimilated into their host cultures. The Zardari tribeJatoi tribe and Chandio and Magsi tribes for example are now culturally Sindhi Baloch. The Talpur dynasty is a Baloch tribe that ruled over Sindh. Meanwhile, the Legharis of Sindh and Southern Punjab speak both Sindhi and Saraiki.
Most Baloch people in Sweden[7] live in the capital Stockholm or in Uppsala. A majority of Baloch political refugees[9] and students choose Sweden as their host country and therefore they have a cultural presence in Sweden.[10]Uppsala University offers a course titled Balochi A, which provides basic knowledge of the phonetics and syntax of the Balochi language. This course also includes a brief overview of the history of the Baloch people. The course is conducted in English and is available as a distance learning option, making it accessible to a broader audience interested in learning about the Balochi language. [11] The Baloch community in Sweden also engages in promoting their traditional Balochi music and arts, contributing to the multicultural landscape of Swedish society.[12]Rostam Mirlashari is a Balochi singer, based in Sweden. He makes songs in Balochi, Swedish and some Iranian languages. Mirlashari also studied at The Royal College of Music in Stockholm.[13]
There is a Baloch community in the UK, originating from the Balochistan province of southwestern Pakistan and neighbouring and other parts where Baloch populations reside.[15] Estimates suggest that the Baloch community in London numbers in the thousands, though an exact figure is not available. There are many Baloch associations and groups active in the UK, including the Baloch Students and Youth Association (BSYA), Baloch Cultural Society, Baloch Human Rights Council (UK) and others.[16][17] Some Baloch political leaders and political refugees are based in the UK, where and immigrants seeking economic opportunity.[18][19][20][21][22]
There is a considerable number of Australian Baloch who settled in Australia for education and employment opportunities.[8][23]Small groups of cameleers were shipped in and out of Australia at three-year intervals, to service the Australian inland pastoral industry by carting goods and transporting wool bales by camel trains.
Dost Mahomet and Dervish Bejah Baloch were Baloch cameleer who worked the Western Australian Goldfields in the late 1890s.[24][25]
There is a population of Baloch in Turkmenistan who migrated there in the early 20th century, estimated in 1997 to number between 38,000 and 40,000.[29][30]
East Africa
There is also a small but historic Baloch community in East Africa, left over from when the Sultanate of Muscat ruled over Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.[31][32] These migrants were largely from Makran and southern Balochistan. A majority of them still have ties to their families back in Makran.one of the most famous Baluchi people in Tanzania is Rostam Aziz. In Uganda one Balochi called Jalalkhan finally settled at Kaberamaido in eastern Uganda and also Kamuli district at Nduria village. He planted many mango trees and other fruits in both places and they are famous places for mangoes to this day.
There are also a number of settlements of Baloch in India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. They now speak either Balochi Urdu, Gujarati and Kutchi, depending on their location.
Smaller but sizeable Baloch communities are found throughout various states in the United States and Canada. Baloch immigrants in North America have formed their own cultural associations and tend to keep the community active through social occasions. A 2015 eight-part documentary by VSH News, the first Balochi language news channel, called Balochs in America, shows that Baloch Americans live in different parts of the United States, including Washington D.C., New York, Texas, North Carolina and Washington.[33] Many Baloch Americans come from Pakistan, both from Balochistan province and Karachi city and elsewhere in Pakistan. Others come from the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan. Many Baloch Americans work at nonprofits, information technology companies and in the public sector.
Baloch account for 20% of Oman's population, a total of around 1 million people and the largest non-Arab community in Oman.
The first modern army of Oman was exclusively Baloch, and even today around 40% of Omani Army consists of Baloch people.[36]
the Baloch have been well integrated in political life in Oman. the Baloch hold positions in many high-ranking jobs and have played a significant role in the progress and development of Oman.[37]
The Baloch in Bahrain number approximately 44,000, making them a significant minority within the country.[44] Historically, Baloch individuals have served in various capacities within Bahraini society,[45] and engages in cultural events that celebrate their heritage. This includes traditional music, dance,
[46] and festivals that showcase their customs. Baloch Club of Bahrain is an organization plays a vital role in fostering community spirit among Baloch individuals. It provides a platform for cultural expression and social support, organizing events and activities that promote Balochi culture.
^Westrip, J.; Holroyde, P. (2010). Colonial Cousins: a surprising history of connections between India and Australia. Wakefield Press. p. 193. ISBN978-1862548411.
^Lodhi, Abdulaziz Y. 2000. A note on the Baloch in East Africa. In: Language in society: eight sociolinguistic essays on Balochi, Studia iranica upsaliensia, no 3, pp 91–95. Edited by Carina Jahani. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis
^Hawker, Ron (2015). "A Beginner's Guide to Tribes in the UAE". Digital Heritage in the UAE. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016. Some htribes trace roots to other ethnic groups. Among the most important of these are the Baluch (or in Arabic, the Al Balooshi). Their ancestors came from the Balochistan district split between Iran and Pakistan in the late 19th century.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
