Baloch Women a Brief Introduction

Baloch Women a Brief Introduction

Women become the first and the safest targets of many fanatical religious movements. Be it a revolution on the name of religion or a movement to “purify” a society from “evils”, the leaders of such so-called reformist initiatives first of all enforce all their “wonderful ideas” on women. They begin with dictating women how to dress, how to behave and how to spend their individual lives. Ironically, all these decisions are made (for women) by the men.

It is no hidden fact that Balochistan is a region blessed munificently by nature with a plentitude of natural resources proving British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli’s calling of India (United India which once Pakistan was part of) the ‘brightest jewel in Her Majesty’s Crown’.

Status of Woman in Baloch Tribes 

The Baloch woman is called Balochni in Balochi language.

As a Mother

In Balochi, mother is called “Mazh” as a word of English and Persian “Mother” whereas; “Umtay” is also the tradition as the Arabic word “Umm”. The son respects his mother a lot. In domestic affairs, the value of mother is as a king. Every kind of work is done by the advice of mother. If mother and wife quarrel, son stands by his mother. Even if mother is at fault.

As a Sister

Sister is called Gohar. The elder sister is like mother where as they have love and respect for younger sisters. They send the meal of Eid at Eid.

As a Wife

Baloch say his wife “Banokh, Looghi, Halqh and Khad. Baloch behave to their wife well. According to Abdul Aziz Khan, “In Qaisrani tribe the relation of wife is of friendship. They share wife in domestic affairs and provide her domestic needs at home. The wife help her husband in every domestic work even in grazing cattle there are many examples of woman stress in the world, but there is no such example in the Baloch society.

As a Daughter

In Baloch tribes, sister is called “Junkh” or Neyanrin”. At the birth of daughter the father becomes humble. In ancient days, in the times of wards they gave attention to the food of sons. Although in present age this difference has lessened.

As a Common Woman

As a whole Baloch is bashful nation. They respect woman. If any Baloch is going on the way and he sees any woman coming from opposite side, they put down their eyes. Baloch tribes consider it respectable to guard the respect of others. If they have any refugee, they consider it their duty to guard him. This thing is considered the “Balochi standard”.

Respect of Woman of Enemy

Good manners with woman, of Baloch tribe, are superior thinking. It includes in the rules of wars not to kill woman and children. In these situation woman can come out of security when their men and relatives are in battlefield. Baloch are very sensitive about the honor of woman. They consider it their duty, just like this as eagle remains flying on the nest.

The Right of Inheritance

Allah Almighty has created all the creatures in pair. The man, who is superior to other creatures, is created in pairs, so that they remain existence and make their rules. One of these long is of inheritance. Before Islam woman did not get the right of inheritance. Many of Baloch tribes did not give the right of inheritance to woman. 

In the matter of inheritance Baloch followed Mangools and instead of following the divine law they followed Changezi. In this law they did not admit the inheritance of women because they got these properties in reward of army services. If they gave inheritance woman, these would be bustle in army system.

 Before Pakistan establishment Qaisrani tribe followed tribe women were not given immovable property. After Pakistan establishment woman is given the share of property according to the Muhammadi laws.
Behavior with Widow

In Qaisrani tribe before settlement of Pakistan woman was not given the share of property. But after the settlement of Pakistan widow is being give the share of inheritance according to Muhammadi laws. Widow is free in Baloch tribes, if the son of widow is young, she can live with him. If her son is smaller, she has the option to marry after prohibited period or live with his son. There is not a single example that they stop her to marry after her husband is death.

Divorce

In dictionary the meaning of divorce is “Open” or “Leave”. According to Divine laws divorce is to free woman from wedlock. In Qaisrani tribe the tradition of divorce is very less. In Baloch tribe it is disapproved act. Usually in Qaisrani tribe divorce is given due to barrenness or doubtful character.

Divorce Obtained by a Woman

Its worldly meaning is to put off give up to give divorce in return of property. According to divine laws, if there is any contradiction between wife and husband, and the man does not give divorce, woman has right to get rid of by giving some money. In Qaisrani tribe woman has the right to obtain divorce. If a woman demands divorce due to oppression of her husband by appealing to the respectable and older member of tribes, these men settle down the affair between them.