Southern Baloch in Oman


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Their name, "Baloch," is shrouded in controversy. Some say it means "nomad," while others claim it is an old Persian word meaning "the cock's crest." Their history is just as mysterious. Some have traced their origins to Nimrod, son of Cush (Noah's grandson). But while some things are uncertain, we know that they first moved to the region in the twelfth century. During the Moghul period, this territory became known as "Balochistan."The various Baloch groups speak different languages, each with distinguishing characteristics. Their original homeland reaches from eastern Balochistan to southwestern Punjab, which borders India. This high, dry region was once a very populated country, watered by many flowing rivers. Today, it is a barren area of mountains and dry river valleys mixed with desert land.

It is difficult to make a living in that region, so there is a large Baloch diaspora. This diaspora includes India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and even Turkmenistan in Central Asia. There are many other countries where the Baloch live as well.


What Are Their Lives Like?

No matter where they live, the Southern Baloch people are family oriented with a strong honor code of hospitality, mercy, honest dealings, and refuge to strangers. They pass on their heritage through songs and poetry. Education has increased in Oman since 1970, so the Baloch minority has the opportunity to enjoy a higher literacy rate than they would have in their Pakistani homeland.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Baloch people are Sunni Muslim, though less devout than the more orthodox Arabs in Oman. Baloch spirituality includes a strong undercurrent of animism (belief that non-human objects have spirits). "Freedom of worship" is stated in Omani law, but not enforced. Those who turn away from the Islamic religious system risk facing the death penalty.


What Are Their Needs?

The New Testament, and the JESUS Film exist in the Southern Baloch language, although opportunities to use them are limited in Muslim Oman. Baloch honor code permits hospitality and refuge; perhaps the Lord will use these circumstances to bring followers of Jesus under the roofs of Baloch Persons of Peace.


Prayer Points

There are very few followers of Christ among the Baloch people in Oman and no known churches. Pray for workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to the Baloch people.

Pray for Baloch hearts to be ready to receive the only Savior.

Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Baloch families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.


Scripture Prayers for the Baloch, Southern in Oman.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Baloch, Southern
People Name in Country Baloch, Southern
Natural Name Southern Baloch
Pronunciation bah-LOACH
Alternate Names Baloch; Baluch; Baluchi, Southern; Southern Baluch
Population this Country 545,000
Population all Countries 1,543,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 11
People ID 15034
ROP3 Code 109469
ROP25 Code 300774
ROP25 Name Baloch
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Masqat governorate; otherwise generally dispersed on Gulf of Oman coast.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Masqat governorate; otherwise generally dispersed on Gulf of Oman coast..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Baloch, Southern in Oman
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
0.85 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.15 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Balochi, Southern
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Barahuwi
Dialect Code 7619   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Balochi, Southern
Language Code bcc   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Barahuwi
Dialect Code 7619   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Balochi, Southern
Photo Source Nasha Ila - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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