Baloch Girls on Facebook

By Bakhtiar Ismail 

One may find social issues discussed in social networks like Facebook, Twitter and others. The other day, a friend had uploaded the picture of a female wearing the Balochi dress. Some of the other friends  objected over the post, criticized it and asked him to remove the picture on the grounds that it was  against the Baloch norms and ethics.

Some objected to such an extent that they went on to say that those who upload pictures of Baloch females are infidel. I wondered what infidelity has to do with a female’s picture.  A couple of weeks later, I observed Balochi dress being promoted but with cropped ones. Whether this was the result of criticism or anonymity but it seemed more accepted in general or with less disapproval. Here one could wonder the promotion of Balochi embroidery so proudly but not the females themselves. One way the richness of Balochi culture was being promulgating while on the other hand, some were expressing their narrow-mindedness.

I don’t have other term to allocate such people except describing it as conservationism which comes as a reaction to positivity. Beside modern claims of gender equality, our elders had understood this need long ago. Because our history hangs heavy with examples where women are playing parallel roles in social, political, economical and even war fields. Apart these, literature and journalism are other platforms where females have left their contributions. Yester roles of our females are so significant that nobody can deny in present era.

In the social field Hani, Mahnaz and Grahnaz have left marking evidences in history. Let’s take Hani who welcomes Mir Chakar when he comes at her door step to quench his thirst. In the absence of male members of the family at home, Hani comes forward to serve her guest. Besides Hani, look at our present day norms when our mothers and sisters receive the guests in the absence of male members. Furthermore, a Baloch female is in-charge of home, land and livestock. They are not mere care-takers but have full authority of the properties. For instance, she can slaughter goat to host guests, give bijjari (reciprocate) without even asking male members. Moreover, Mahnaz and Granaz are other social examples who held such powerful authority to challenge innocence when their husbands Shahdad and Lallah accuse them of cheating. Even it was Mahnaz who divorced her husband after found innocent.

Baloch females have played an impressive role in our political history as well. They were stateswomen, leaders and motivators. Let’s take help of such females like Mir Chakar’s sister Banadi who runs state affairs of Multan regions. She had political power that made her a stateswoman. Keep history aside, one cannot deny the fact that today’s front politics is played by females who protest, take out rallies, and make public speeches. Such leaders are Banuk Karima, Farzana Majeed, Naila Qadri, Zubaida Jalal and many more. Their political role is visible in front line which nobody can deny. One can find their interviews in print and electronic and social media.

In terms of  independence, Baloch women have been empowered economically as well. To support historical evidences, one may recall Gohar’s economical independence that sparkled the thirty years destructive war between Rind and Lashar tribes. Gohar was one of the wealthiest women of that time who alone managed her properties and livestock. In modern day there are thousands of women who run their household by dochgeri (paid for embroidery) and other means. These women go unnoticed and without credit since they are hidden but with large number. Furthermore, lots females are independent who have sources of income like teachers, doctors and etc.

Baloch women have been no less then male in wartimes. They have participated in wars, struggles and combats. Such as Dadshah’s sister who along with her family combats the enemy, Banadi- Mir Chakar’s sister who leads the battle against the greater Muhgal emperor, Soomari Pirradi- Guerrilla fighter Rahim Bakhsh’s wife arms against the with enemies in seventies.

Literature is the another field where Baloch females have contributed their roles, such as Banul Dashtyari, Gohar Malik, Rabia Khuzdari, Shahgul, Rakshanda Taj, Sakeena Naz and some others. Their fictions, poetry, short stories and novels have been published in forms of books and recognized by literary societies.

In the modern days in the field of journalism Baloch females are also visible who are active in their professions. They are many in number and a few recognized journalists are Nargis Baloch, Hina Baloch, Mahan Dashti, Hina Mahgul Rind and so many more. Many times Baloch female write with pen-names for the sake of anonymity but write with names unknown to society since we men only discourage them from coming forward.

Be it the field of politics, economy, literature, the Baloch women have walked side by side with men and shared burden from shoulder to shoulder. They are competent in every walk of life which most of time go unrecorded. If still we don’t acknowledge them and their role then we are doing our society a disservice. It is our responsibility to appreciate and encourage the Baloch women to come forward and further participate in every domain of life.  And to me one is not blind by eyes but mind when he proudly promulgates the glory of his history and does not recognize the role of females.

It is the time we stopped criticizing our girls for uploading their pictures on Facebook or other social media networks because a Baloch female holds herself over big girdh (shawl). It is high time for us to accept the females and their role and stop criticizing them with mere and so-called norms and values. We should learn from our ancestors who were more  liberal and accepting of women’s expanded roles in the society. People who deny women the equal status should revisit the pages of history to learn about the status and role of women in the Baloch society in the past.

The writer is a student of anthropology

Published in The Baloch Hal on January 5, 2013