Page 8 - The Majestic Balochistan

THE MOTHERLAND’S LANGUAGE: BALOCHI

Balochi language is one of the oldest living languages of the Indo-Iranian group of the Indo-European languages.
Even today at educational level, it is possible to study Balochi for an M.A. Degree at the University of Balochistan,
Quetta.
There are mainly three dialects of the Balochi language: Makurani, Rakhshani, and Koh-e-Sulemani.
Sayad Hashimi, one of the prominent Baloch linguists, believes every community has got a Different dialect com-
paring the whole Balochi speakers.
Balochi first started to be written during the 19th century. At first it was written with the Latin alphabet using a
spelling system devised by British linguists. After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Baloch Scholars adopted
the Perso-Arabic script to write their language.
Balochi poetry dates to at least the middle of the 15th century CE. It was later recorded by using a local adaptation
of Persian nasta’liq script. During the mid-18th century, Jam Durrak, the chief poet of the court of Mir Muhammad
Nasir Khan of Kalat, wrote songs and poems that are still sung by Balochs.

Hinglaj Mata A living proof of Balo-
chistan’s cultural tolerance

For Hindus, it is a shrine for Kali Mata,
while Muslims call the temple ‘Nani ka
Mandir.’
The Hinglaj Mata is a sacred Hindu
temple, located on the Makran coast in the
Lasbela district of Balochistan. Interestin-
gly, it is equally revered by both Hindus
and Muslims. For Hindus, it is a shrine for
Kali Mata, while Muslims call the temple
Nani ka Mandir.’ It is protected by the
local Baloch tribesman, who provide for
shelter, food and transport to the pilgrims
and visitors. The pilgrimage of Hinglaj
Mata is also famous among the local
Muslims, particularly the Zikri Balochs
(predominantly an ethnic Baloch group).
They call it “Nani ki Haj.” Legend has it
that the famous Muslim Sufi Saint Shah
Abdul Latif Bhitai visited the temple,
offered prayers there and euologised the
jogis at Hinglaj in Sur Ramkali in his
compendium of poetry Shah Jo Risalo.
The Hinglaj Seva Mandali (a body Consti-
tuted to make arrangements at the temple
for events and visitors) constitutes a Jatha,
a large committee comprising men,
women and children, numbering around
5,000, picked from among the visitors of
different regions – both Hindu and Mus-
lims who serve the devotees during the
three days of the festival. Another mythi-
cal belief related to this temple is that the
local Muslims believe that Hinglaj Mata is
divine and provide security to the locals,
having powers gifted from the God.